Scugog property taxes are at the centre of a new mayoral-candidate questionnaire, with four contenders offering different approaches to revenue, spending and infrastructure ahead of the October 26 municipal election.
DurhamRegion.com asked all six candidates how they would limit property-tax increases while maintaining funding for township departments and services. Answers were limited to 125 words. Charles Deane, Jack Doak, Ian McDougall and Wilma Wotten responded; Mike Coll and David Whitfield did not respond by the newspaper’s deadline.
The answers describe what candidates would seek to do in office. They do not establish a new tax rate, an approved service reduction or a final decision about the township’s next budget.
Deane links the tax burden to housing supply
Charles Deane argued that property owners are carrying a growing share of the cost of municipal services while younger people struggle to buy homes. His proposed long-term response is more housing construction, accompanied by infrastructure developed with Durham Region.
Deane did not promise immediate tax relief. He said the benefits of additional housing would take time and argued that restricting growth would leave existing owners continuing to fund municipal needs. His response presented housing supply, rather than a quick spending cut, as the central issue.
Doak puts new revenue ahead of short-term promises
Jack Doak, founder of Port Perry’s Old Flame Brewing Co., said the township faces rising operating costs alongside increasing expectations for services.
He identified finding new revenue streams as his leading priority. Although cost control has a role, Doak warned against holding increases at zero in ways that simply defer costs to a later council or future taxpayers. He did not specify a target increase in the answer.
McDougall emphasizes efficiency and budget discipline
Regional councillor Ian McDougall said Scugog controls only part of a resident’s tax bill. He proposed seeking efficiencies with other municipalities and outside assistance for infrastructure and programs.
McDougall supported maintaining public confidence in the roads levy by directing those funds toward repairs. He also said the general levy must support parks, trails, recreation facilities and the library.
His response criticized unbudgeted spending and said more than $2 million in items were brought forward within months of the 2026 budget. That amount is attributed to his questionnaire response; the article does not treat it as a new audited financial finding.
Wotten proposes a detailed spending review
Incumbent mayor Wilma Wotten said she would direct the chief administrative officer to review the budget line by line for savings and efficiencies. She also proposed reviewing procurement, expanding volunteer partnerships and looking for additional grants and outside funding.
Her examples included considering paid parking and public-space signage as revenue sources, expanding Adopt-A-Park and holding the Sports Hall of Fame and Volunteer Dinner once per council term rather than more frequently.
Wotten said special levies for roads, facilities and equipment reserves should continue so essential infrastructure can be maintained. These remain campaign proposals; the questionnaire does not announce that any of the suggested changes have been adopted.
Featured image: illustrative stock photo; not a photograph of the people, business, property, event or location reported.
