Steve Lesperance for CKL Councillor Ward 8

YOUR MONEY / YOUR COUNCIL

ARE TAXPAYERS GETTING VALUE FOR THEIR MONEY?

A serious look at the City's top administrative structure: the position, the structure, the cost, and the results.

THE POSITION.

THE STRUCTURE.

THE COST.

THE RESULTS.

This review is about how City government is organized and what it costs, not about any individual. It is not a personal attack on an employee.

THE FACTS FIRST

What the official records say

VERIFIED FACT

A CAO is optional under Ontario law

Section 229 of the Municipal Act says a municipality MAY appoint a chief administrative officer responsible for exercising general control and management of the affairs of the municipality for efficient and effective operation, plus other duties council assigns. It is a choice councils make, not a provincial requirement.
Source: Municipal Act, 2001 (Ontario), s. 229Year: 2001, as amendedAccessed: August 25, 2026View source
OFFICIAL SOURCE

Kawartha Lakes CAO disclosed pay (2025): $248,840

The Chief Administrative Officer was the City's highest disclosed salary in the 2025 records, at $248,840 (taxable benefits disclosed separately). The CAO leads the City's administration and reports to Council.
Source: Ontario Public Sector Salary Disclosure, 2025 recordsYear: 2025 records, published 2026Accessed: August 25, 2026View source
STEVE'S POSITION

The CAO structure should be reviewed.

Not eliminated by slogan, and not defended by habit: reviewed, seriously and independently, against results and against how comparable municipalities organize their administration. If the review shows the structure serves taxpayers well, say so. If it shows duplication or unnecessary layers, fix it.

THE REVIEW

Questions the review should answer

QUESTION I AM ASKING

Is the current structure efficient?

QUESTION I AM ASKING

Are management responsibilities duplicated?

QUESTION I AM ASKING

Could responsibilities be reorganized?

QUESTION I AM ASKING

Are taxpayers receiving value?

QUESTION I AM ASKING

Are there unnecessary management layers?

QUESTION I AM ASKING

Can technology reduce administrative costs?

COMPARATORS

How do other municipalities compare?

Verified from Ontario's official salary disclosure (2025 records) and official municipal budgets. Open More for the full table, sources, and the fairness note.

Kawartha Lakes

$248,840

CAO pay, 2025 records

Peterborough

$330,327

CAO pay, 2025 records

Norfolk County

$286,278

CAO pay, 2025 records

Durham

$364,165

CAO pay, 2025 records

PLAIN ANSWERS

Common questions

YOUR NEXT STEP

See the disclosure numbers for yourself.

Explore the Data

Or read City Finances, Explained