Scugog receives update on over $40M in capital projects

DARRYL KNIGHT The Standard

SCUGOG: Council recently received a detailed update, on the municipality’s capital projects, as of April 30th, through a report presented by Maria Turino, CPA, CGA, Financial Accounting Supervisor.

The 2025 Capital Project Status Report provides a high-level overview of 140 active capital projects, across the Township, with a combined approved funding of $40.1 million. Of that total, $11.8 million is expected from outside sources, such as federal and provincial grants, while the remaining $28.2 million is funded through the Township’s reserves and reserve funds.

“The objective of our capital projects is to ensure the Township continues to grow in a sustainable way, while maintaining and replacing existing infrastructure,” said Ms. Turino. “This report is part of our commitment to transparency and fiscal responsibility, ensuring Council and the public are kept informed about the progress and financing of key infrastructure projects.”

The report which is prepared semi-annually, supports the enhanced reporting framework introduced when Scugog’s Procurement By-law was approved. It includes key data, such as total funding allocations, expenditures to date, and the current status of each project.

Compared to the same period last year, Scugog has seen a slight decrease in the number of capital projects: 140 in 2025 versus 157 in 2024. However, the overall approved budget has increased, indicating larger-scale or more complex infrastructure investments.

“This shows steady momentum in our capital planning,” Ms. Turino noted. “While the number of projects has decreased, the value of work underway has increased, pointing to the Township’s evolving infrastructure needs and priorities.”

The report outlines the seasonal nature of many projects, with a large portion of work scheduled during the warmer months. Delays can sometimes arise, from procurement timelines, contractor availability, or conditional funding approvals. “There are many variables outside the Township’s control,” Ms. Turino explained. “When projects don’t receive expected funding, they may be paused or cancelled. Similarly, the Request for Proposal (RFP) process and equipment delivery can introduce delays.”

Among the internal sources of funding, the Reserve Fund for Roads is the largest contributor, at $6.3 million, followed by the Vehicle & Equipment Reserve Fund, at $4.28 million, and the Building & Facilities Reserve Fund, at $3.65 million. Other reserves used include: Parkland, Environmental/Solar, and various Development Charges reserve funds.

Ms. Turino emphasized, while the original budget estimates are not adjusted after Council’s approval, staff continue to monitor costs closely. “With inflationary pressures, some projects may go over budget,” she said. “Small overages are addressed in the regular capital closing reports. Larger budget increases are brought to Council by the responsible department, either before proceeding with the project or once the project concludes.”

Looking ahead, the Township plans to enhance future reporting, by providing more detailed comparisons to previous years, allowing for better tracking of year-over-year progress.

Councillors received the report, for information, and no additional recommendations were made at this time. The next update will be provided in the autumn, ahead of the 2026 Capital Budget deliberations.