You already know that I am critical of the municipal administration. However, my main criticism is of the way things are done rather than the results. In my opinion, it is essential to give citizens a representative picture of reality, not one that shows the administration in a favorable light. In fact, that is my criticism of the municipal newsletters. Citizens want facts and explanations so that they can draw their own conclusions without being influenced.
Being defensive raises questions
In the case of administrative salaries justified in the October 1 municipal newsletter, the municipality could have simply compared itself with surrounding municipalities to present a representative picture. Defensive comments were unnecessary. To do so, I compared the administrative costs in the audited financial reports for 2020 to 2024 for five nearby municipalities. Note that we are comparing administrative costs and not administrative salaries in this case.
The results of my analysis show that North Hatley is comparable to other municipalities in terms of administrative expenses.
North Hatley is average
In 2024, here is the ranking of municipalities with the highest administrative costs. The percentage is similar from one municipality to another. Is this a sign of good management? It’s hard to say, but the comparison puts North Hatley in the middle of the pack.
- Hatley : 22,15 %
- North Hatley : 21,33 %
- Ayer’s Cliff : 21,06 %
- Canton de Hatley : 18,35 %
- Sainte-Catherine de Hatley : 14,19 %
Significant increase over the years
The only thing worth noting is the significant increase in administrative expenses over the last few years, from 16.95% in 2020 to 21.15% in 2024. In dollars, this represents a difference of $315,193, or a 57% increase.
Explain rather than attack
Please note that this is not a criticism; there is an explanation for everything. With the pandemic, salaries have skyrocketed. Perhaps the municipality needed more administrative staff to meet the growing demand from citizens. Everything can be explained, and we just need to give ourselves the means to improve.
When people are too defensive, it creates even more fear, frustration, and loss of confidence. That’s why it’s important to act with integrity and transparency. For my part, my first judgment is based on honesty, then on results.
Managing a municipality has its share of difficulties. In fact, I tip my hat to all the people who do it every day with heart and soul. The most important thing is to remain honest and act in good faith.
Comparison of administrative costs in neighboring municipalities
| References: data from audited financial reports |
| https://www.quebec.ca/gouvernement/gestion-municipale/finances-fiscalite-municipales/information-financiere/publications-financieres/rapport-financier?annee=2021&organisme=45050 |
| Municipality | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |
| North Hatley | Administration Fees | 863 727 $ | 786 753 $ | 640 111 $ | 612 813 $ | 548 534 $ |
| 675 (2021) | Total expenses | 4 048 806 $ | 3 878 068 $ | 3 431 161 $ | 3 326 539 $ | 3 236 565 $ |
| 21,33% | 20,29% | 18,66% | 18,42% | 16,95% | ||
| Ayer’s Cliff | Administration Fees | 556 972 $ | 639 970 $ | 556 972 $ | 511 100 $ | 439 778 $ |
| 1180 (2021) | Total expenses | 2 644 207 $ | 2 806 197 $ | 2 644 207 $ | 2 286 510 $ | 2 186 084 $ |
| 21,06% | 22,81% | 21,06% | 22,35% | 20,12% | ||
| Saint-Catherine de Hatley | Administration Fees | 803 744 $ | 891 863 $ | 717 832 $ | 706 557 $ | 736 225 $ |
| 2 741 (2021) | Total expenses | 5 666 140 $ | 5 085 438 $ | 4 467 706 $ | 3 789 555 $ | 3 923 088 $ |
| 14,19% | 17,54% | 16,07% | 18,64% | 18,77% | ||
| Hatley | Administration Fees | 503 607 $ | 533 193 $ | 468 351 $ | 457 251 $ | 408 306 $ |
| 771 (2021) | Total expenses | 2 273 693 $ | 2 216 041 $ | 2 026 803 $ | 1 900 557 $ | 1 845 688 $ |
| 22,15% | 24,06% | 23,11% | 24,06% | 22,12% | ||
| Canton de Hatley | Administration Fees | 967 699$ | 1 058 797$ | 872 516$ | 856 074$ | 883 403$ |
| 2230 (2021) | Total expenses | 5 272 229$ | 5 245 545$ | 4 513 890$ | 3 936 95$2 | 4 172 587$ |
| 18,35% | 20,18% | 19,33% | 21,74% | 21,17% |
