Carleton Place councillors received updates on a range of municipal initiatives during the June 9 committee of the whole meeting, including the town’s financial position, proposed changes to travel reimbursement rules, expanded childcare plans, a review of council compensation and efforts to grow participation in the Just Good Compost program.
Finances tracking as expected
Carleton Place’s finances are largely on target through the first five months of 2026, according to an interim financial report presented by Treasurer Trisa McConkey.
The update compared actual revenues and expenditures against the town’s approved 2026 operating budget.
“As of May 31st, the year is 42 per cent finished and we are pretty much exactly where I would expect we would be,” McConkey said.
The report showed revenues at 39 per cent of budget and expenditures at 29 per cent, while the fiscal year itself was 41.7 per cent complete.
McConkey said several variances reflected timing differences rather than financial concerns. Interim tax billing increased administration revenues earlier in the year, while water and sewer revenues represented only first-quarter billings. Planning and development revenues were lower than anticipated, while community development ticket sales had already exceeded annual budget projections.
On the expenditure side, some costs remained below budget because invoices had not yet been received, grants had not yet been distributed and seasonal expenses had not yet occurred.
McConkey said it remains too early to accurately predict year-end results, but noted the town’s financial position is consistent with expectations. Committee received the report for information.
Mileage cap under review
Carleton Place council is considering amendments to its Travel and Expense Policy that would eliminate the existing 500-kilometre reimbursement cap for multi-day trips.
McConkey said staff had received requests to revisit the provision, which can limit reimbursement for councillors and employees attending conferences and training sessions where alternative transportation options may not be practical.
“We’ve had a couple of requests to make a revision to the travel and expense policy with regard to the limit of 500 kilometres for trips that extend over multiple days,” McConkey told council.
According to the report, seven travel claims exceeded the cap in 2025. If the proposed policy had been in place, the additional cost to the municipality would have been less than $500.
The recommendation has already received support from the Council Compensation Working Group and will now proceed to council for consideration.
Childcare expansion planned at Carambeck
The town is moving ahead with plans to expand childcare services at the Carambeck Community Centre following the vacancy of former school board space within the facility.
Strategic Operations Administrator Jennifer Barry told councillors the proposal would expand the Compton Place School Age Services program into the former T.R. Leger School space.
“This situation created an opportunity to increase childcare openings by roughly 80 per cent, supporting the growing childcare needs in our community,” Barry said.
The project would repurpose approximately 11,635 square feet of newly available space to create additional before-and-after-school programming and add 48 preschool spaces.
Staff said the expansion would help reduce wait lists, improve continuity of care for families and support workforce participation within the community.
Treasurer Trisa McConkey said Lanark County was considering additional provincial and local priorities funding that could cover the municipality’s share of project costs.
“So really good news. And we’ll keep our fingers crossed for approval,” McConkey said.
If approved, the funding would eliminate the need to draw from the town’s childcare reserves, currently valued at approximately $2.9 million.
Committee received the report for information.
Carleton Place council pay review headed to bylaw stage
Councillors also reviewed a report examining compensation for elected officials and outlining options for future adjustments.
Presented by Human Resources Manager Laura Scull, the review was conducted by the Council Compensation Working Group and included comparisons with similar municipalities.
Scull noted that any changes approved by council would take effect only after the 2026 municipal election.
“The intent of the review is to ensure council compensation remains fair, transparent and competitive with similar municipalities,” Scull told committee.
The report examined potential changes to annual remuneration, meeting per diems and benefits provisions. Staff noted that council compensation has not undergone a comprehensive review in several years and that regular evaluations are considered a governance best practice.
Committee directed staff to prepare a bylaw incorporating council’s preferred compensation model. Any approved changes would apply to the next term of council, not the current members.
Compost subsidy proposed to boost participation
The town is also looking to encourage more households to sign up for the Just Good Compost program by increasing the financial incentive available to new participants.
A report presented by Chief Administrative Officer Diane Smithson recommends increasing the subsidy from $75 to 50 per cent of the annual subscription cost, or $137.50, for the first year only.
“In 2026, at the beginning of this year, 94 per cent or 136 of those 145 households renewed their annual subscription,” Smithson said. “A 94 per cent renewal rate is excellent and indicates that households are renewing their annual subscriptions, regardless of a subsidy to do so.”
The report noted that 152 households are currently enrolled in the program. With $25,000 allocated in the budget, the revised subsidy could support up to 181 new subscribers, potentially increasing participation to more than 300 households.
Smithson said the municipality partnered with Just Good Compost in 2024 to divert food waste from the local waste stream.
Coun. Dena Comley endorsed the proposal.
“It’s a great program,” Comley said. “The more people we get on board, the better.”
Mayor Toby Randell said that while he disagreed with some aspects of the recommendation, he supports the composting initiative and participates in the program himself.
Committee endorsed the recommendation, which now moves forward to council for final approval.
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