Questions · 10 so far
We read Admaston-Bromley's financial reports and meeting minutes, and compared its numbers with 28 similar Ontario towns. These are the things that stood out.
These are unusual enough that residents deserve a clear answer from council.
$867Kin savings at the end of 2025
Towns keep savings (called reserves) to pay for new trucks, roof repairs and surprises. Admaston-Bromley had $867K saved at the end of 2025, up from $643K in 2019. That is 22% of one year's spending. Only 1 of 28 similar towns had less, compared with what they spend.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 2 sources
There may well be a good reason. It is still worth asking what it is.
$60,452.50"Growth / (In Year Adj.)" that brings the 2026 levy increase to 0.00%
The levy is the part of the budget that property taxes must pay. The 2026 budget booklet says the Township needs $3,733,333, up $60,453 from 2025, and then subtracts an "in year adjustment" of the same amount to reach "0.00%" levy increase. The booklet also shows the costs rising by $563,824.75 (15.10 percent of the levy), and says new debt of $705,000 and a transfer from reserves of $534,359.16 cover most of that. The adjustment of $60,452.50 is exactly the gap left once those are counted: $563,824.75 less $503,372.25 (worked out by us). The booklet's slides do not say what it is.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
$3,000,000fire hall expansion loan shown for 2030 in the "Future Consideration Analysis"
Ontario gives each municipality a yearly limit on how much of its income can go to loan payments. The Township's 2026 budget booklet has two tables on this. The first, built on loans it has taken or plans to take for 2026, leaves room under the limit in every year to 2036 (for example $194,845.91 in 2030). The second, called "Future Consideration Analysis", adds later loans for public works and fire vehicles and a $3,000,000 fire hall expansion loan in 2030. It shows the room under the limit going below zero in 2030, at (43,243.23), and to (295,639.14) in 2031, shaded red.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
$102,501.06estimated working fund at the end of 2026, against a target limit of $500,000
A reserve is money a council sets aside for a purpose. The working fund is the general-purpose one, kept for cash needs and surprises. The 2026 budget booklet estimates it at $210,993.27 at the end of 2025, takes out $126,852.21 in 2026 and adds $18,360, leaving $102,501.06. The booklet's own target for it is $500,000. Every other reserve is also far under its target: the roads reserve is planned to reach $185,171.96 against a target of $3,600,000. The audited statements show total reserves rose in 2025, from $598,303 to $866,802.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
$1,075,329cash at the end of 2025, against $1,223,480 of reserves and restricted funds (worked out by us)
At the end of 2025 the Township had $1,075,329 in cash, down from $1,354,610. It also reports reserves of $866,802, restricted grant money of $336,828 (grants it must spend on set projects) and general deferred revenue of $19,850. Together those come to $1,223,480, which is $148,151 more than its cash (worked out by us). It also owed $526,834 to suppliers. Money owed to the Township, mostly taxes and bills, was $771,477 (worked out by us: $373,381 plus $398,096).
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
+93%running the town office, 2019 to 2025
Admaston-Bromley spent $424K on running the town office in 2019 and $819K in 2025. Prices only went up about 21% in that time. Only 4 of 28 similar towns had faster growth here.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 3 sources
Background that helps make sense of the rest.
$1,346,313amortization in 2025 that the budget column leaves out
Side by side, the audited statements show the Township spending $1,135,788 more than its 2025 budget (worked out by us). Most of that is one accounting item. Amortization is the yearly cost of roads, buildings and vehicles wearing out. The budget column has nothing in it for amortization, and the actual column has $1,346,313. Without it, actual spending was $3,915,389 (the segmented schedule prints this total), which is $210,525 below the budget (worked out by us). The same is true of roads: transportation spending reads $2,804,199 against a budget of $1,647,332, but $1,244,390 of the actual is amortization. The planned surplus of $1,438,837 and the actual $415,084 are not on the same footing either.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 4 sources
$156,000building cost not yet financed at the end of 2025, with a loan arranged after year end
The accumulated surplus note shows "Unfinanced building" of (156,000), a negative amount, at the end of 2025. A note says that after year end the Township got a loan of $156,000 from Infrastructure Ontario "to finance the building", due in 2041, paid in half-yearly instalments of $5,200 plus interest at 4.21 percent. The statements do not say which building. The 2026 budget booklet's debt table has a loan of 156,000 for the "Stone Rd Sand/Salt Shed", with a bylaw number not yet filled in ("2026-XX"). Buildings were the second-largest purchase of 2025: $508,564.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
$139,602user charges in 2025, against a budget of $70,124
User charges are fees paid by people who use a Township service. The 2025 budget expected $70,124. The statements show $139,602, almost exactly double, and close to the $133,596 of 2024. The line "Fees, service charges, donations and miscellaneous" is also well above its budget: $124,126 against $65,296. Total revenue came in $112,035 above budget (worked out by us). Spending before amortization came in under its budget too (see the first question about amortization).
Found by reading the town's own documents · 1 source
$433per home on snow ploughing, 2025
Admaston-Bromley spent about $433 per home on snow ploughing in 2025. The typical similar town spent $150. Only 2 of 28 similar towns spent more.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 1 source
$867Kin savings at the end of 2025
Towns keep savings (called reserves) to pay for new trucks, roof repairs and surprises. Admaston-Bromley had $867K saved at the end of 2025, up from $643K in 2019. That is 22% of one year's spending. Only 1 of 28 similar towns had less, compared with what they spend.
| Year | Savings (reserves) |
|---|---|
| 2019 | $643K |
| 2020 | $792K |
| 2021 | $819K |
| 2022 | $878K |
| 2023 | $810K |
| 2024 | $598K |
| 2025 | $867K |
With little saved, a broken bridge or a storm has to be paid for with a sudden tax increase or a loan. Low savings can also mean past budgets were balanced by spending savings instead of facing the real cost.
You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.
Speak for Admaston-Bromley? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Savings (reserves and reserve funds): 2019 $643K, 2020 $792K, 2021 $819K, 2022 $878K, 2023 $810K, 2024 $598K, 2025 $867K.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2025 · Schedule 70, line 6420 · archived copy
Typical among similar towns: savings equal to 78% of a year's spending. Admaston-Bromley: 22%.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2025, 28 similar municipalities · Schedules 40 and 70 · archived copy
$60,452.50"Growth / (In Year Adj.)" that brings the 2026 levy increase to 0.00%
The levy is the part of the budget that property taxes must pay. The 2026 budget booklet says the Township needs $3,733,333, up $60,453 from 2025, and then subtracts an "in year adjustment" of the same amount to reach "0.00%" levy increase. The booklet also shows the costs rising by $563,824.75 (15.10 percent of the levy), and says new debt of $705,000 and a transfer from reserves of $534,359.16 cover most of that. The adjustment of $60,452.50 is exactly the gap left once those are counted: $563,824.75 less $503,372.25 (worked out by us). The booklet's slides do not say what it is.
The booklet shows how it reaches a tax increase of zero. But a levy held flat with borrowing and savings leaves a question for next year: do the same savings and the same adjustment exist again, or does the levy have to catch up?
You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.
Speak for Admaston-Bromley? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Budget comparison: "TOTAL MUNICIPAL LEVY REQUIREMENTS" 2025 3,672,881, 2026 3,733,333, change 60,453. Below it: "60,453 2026 Budget Increase", "(60,453) Plus in year adjustment", "(0) Amount req'd from taxation 2026", "0.00% Levy Increase".
2026 Budget Booklet - FINAL (February 19, 2026) · Slide 15, Budget Comparison, PDF page 15 (read from the rendered slide, twice; the 2026 column adds up: operating 4,641,111 + capital 1,998,300 less revenue 2,906,078 = 3,733,333)
Contributing Factors, part 1: "Total Operating Expenditures" 320,398.75 (8.58%); "Capital Expenditures" 243,426.00 (6.52%); "Sub-Total" 563,824.75 (15.10%). "New Contributions to Reserves" 67,165.00 (1.80%).
2026 Budget Booklet - FINAL (February 19, 2026) · Slide 49, Contributing Factors, PDF page 49 (read from the rendered slide, twice; 320,398.75 + 243,426.00 = 563,824.75)
Contributing Factors, part 2: "Debt" 705,000.00 (18.88%), comment "new debt for new Tandem & Fire Truck". "Transfers f/ Reserves" (534,359.16) (-14.31%). "Total Other Revenue Sources" 503,372.25 (13.48%). "Less: Growth /(In Year Adj.)" 60,452.50 (1.62%). "Total Amount To Raise through Tax Levy" "-" (0.00%).
2026 Budget Booklet - FINAL (February 19, 2026) · Slide 50, Contributing Factors, PDF page 50 (read from the rendered slide, twice; the nine lines add up to 503,372.25)
$3,000,000fire hall expansion loan shown for 2030 in the "Future Consideration Analysis"
Ontario gives each municipality a yearly limit on how much of its income can go to loan payments. The Township's 2026 budget booklet has two tables on this. The first, built on loans it has taken or plans to take for 2026, leaves room under the limit in every year to 2036 (for example $194,845.91 in 2030). The second, called "Future Consideration Analysis", adds later loans for public works and fire vehicles and a $3,000,000 fire hall expansion loan in 2030. It shows the room under the limit going below zero in 2030, at (43,243.23), and to (295,639.14) in 2031, shaded red.
A township cannot borrow past the limit. If the fire hall and the vehicles are all needed, something has to give: grants, saved reserves, a different schedule or a request to the Province. Residents who vote this fall are choosing a council that will make those decisions. The booklet shows the problem, but not how Council plans to meet it.
You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.
Speak for Admaston-Bromley? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
10-year Debt Repayment Forecast: "Per MMAH, 2025 Annual Repayment Limit (dated 4/2/2025)" 438,368; "Debt Repayment Limit remaining" 2026 94,213.07, 2027 71.14, 2028 5,309.31. "Updated 2025 Annual Repayment Limit based on 2024 FIR" 576,675; remaining 2026 232,520.07, 2029 189,425.45, 2030 194,845.91, 2031 200,266.36.
2026 Budget Booklet - FINAL (February 19, 2026) · Slide 24, 10-year Debt Repayment Forecast, PDF page 24 (read from the rendered slide, twice)
10-year Debt Future Consideration: "Est. Payment - Fire Hall Expansion 2030 - 30 yr" loan amount 3,000,000, payment 236,543.07 in 2031. "Estimated Future Debt Repayments" 2030 619,918.23, 2031 872,314.14. "ESTIMATED Debt Repayment Limit Remaining based on updated ARL" 2029 82,306.86, 2030 (43,243.23), 2031 (295,639.14), 2032 (300,185.49).
2026 Budget Booklet - FINAL (February 19, 2026) · Slide 25, 10-year Debt Future Consideration, PDF page 25 (read from the rendered slide, twice; 2030 column: 381,829.09 plus the six 2030 loan payments listed gives 619,918.23, and 194,845.91 less the 238,089.14 added is (43,243.23))
Note 5: "The annual principal and interest payments required to service these liabilities are within the annual debt repayment limit prescribed by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing."
Corporation of the Township of Admaston/Bromley, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 (Welch LLP, May 21, 2026) · Note 5, Long-term debt (cont'd), PDF page 15 (printed page 14) (scanned image; read twice)
$102,501.06estimated working fund at the end of 2026, against a target limit of $500,000
A reserve is money a council sets aside for a purpose. The working fund is the general-purpose one, kept for cash needs and surprises. The 2026 budget booklet estimates it at $210,993.27 at the end of 2025, takes out $126,852.21 in 2026 and adds $18,360, leaving $102,501.06. The booklet's own target for it is $500,000. Every other reserve is also far under its target: the roads reserve is planned to reach $185,171.96 against a target of $3,600,000. The audited statements show total reserves rose in 2025, from $598,303 to $866,802.
A working fund is what stands between a bad winter or a late grant and a tax increase. The Township keeps a bank line of $300,000, which is unused, but it costs interest if it is drawn. Residents may want to know what a safe level is, and how the Township plans to get there.
You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.
Speak for Admaston-Bromley? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Estimated Discretionary Reserve Balances 2026: "Working Fund" estimated balance as of 12/31/2025 210,993.27; additions 18,360.00; withdrawals (126,852.21); estimated balance as of 12/31/2026 102,501.06; target limit 500,000.00. "Reserve - Paved / Gravel Roads" 155,171.96 to 185,171.96, target limit 3,600,000.00. "TOTAL DISCRETIONARY RESERVES" 869,955.83 to 905,268.62, target limits 8,149,667.00.
2026 Budget Booklet - FINAL (February 19, 2026) · Slide 39, Estimated Discretionary Reserve Balances 2026, PDF page 39 (read from the rendered slide, twice; 869,955.83 + 218,165.00 - 182,852.21 = 905,268.62)
Note 8, Accumulated surplus: "Internally restricted reserves" 866,802 (2024 598,303). "Unrestricted surplus" General 413,042 (2024 341,148). Note 9: the operating line of credit "has a limit of $300,000" and "a balance of $NIL" at year end.
Corporation of the Township of Admaston/Bromley, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 (Welch LLP, May 21, 2026) · Notes 8 and 9, PDF page 15 (printed page 14) (scanned image; read twice, Note 8 checked against the total 11,378,146)
$1,075,329cash at the end of 2025, against $1,223,480 of reserves and restricted funds (worked out by us)
At the end of 2025 the Township had $1,075,329 in cash, down from $1,354,610. It also reports reserves of $866,802, restricted grant money of $336,828 (grants it must spend on set projects) and general deferred revenue of $19,850. Together those come to $1,223,480, which is $148,151 more than its cash (worked out by us). It also owed $526,834 to suppliers. Money owed to the Township, mostly taxes and bills, was $771,477 (worked out by us: $373,381 plus $398,096).
A reserve is a promise to set money aside. If the cash is not there, the promise is made on paper only, and the Township has to borrow or collect what it is owed before it can spend a reserve. Residents want to know the savings exist as money.
You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.
Speak for Admaston-Bromley? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Statement of financial position: "Cash" $1,075,329 (2024 $1,354,610). "Taxes receivable" 373,381. "Accounts receivable" 398,096. "Accounts payable and accrued liabilities" 526,834. "Deferred revenue - general" 19,850. "Deferred revenue - obligatory" 336,828 (2024 606,058).
Corporation of the Township of Admaston/Bromley, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 (Welch LLP, May 21, 2026) · Consolidated Statement of Financial Position, PDF page 4 (printed page 3) (scanned image; read twice, checked against the totals 1,846,806 and 3,892,343)
Note 8, Accumulated surplus: "Internally restricted reserves" 866,802 (2024 598,303).
Corporation of the Township of Admaston/Bromley, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 (Welch LLP, May 21, 2026) · Note 8, PDF page 15 (printed page 14) (scanned image; read twice, checked against the total 11,378,146)
+93%running the town office, 2019 to 2025
Admaston-Bromley spent $424K on running the town office in 2019 and $819K in 2025. Prices only went up about 21% in that time. Only 4 of 28 similar towns had faster growth here.
| Year | Running the town office | Prices (inflation) |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | +0% | +0% |
| 2020 | +23% | +1% |
| 2021 | +32% | +4% |
| 2022 | +62% | +11% |
| 2023 | +72% | +16% |
| 2024 | +81% | +18% |
| 2025 | +93% | +21% |
Change since the first year shown. The grey line is how much prices rose overall, for comparison.
Money spent running the office is money not spent on roads, water or safety. When office costs grow much faster than the services people see, it is fair to ask what the extra money is buying.
You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.
Speak for Admaston-Bromley? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Running the town office: 2019 $424K, 2020 $520K, 2021 $559K, 2022 $689K, 2023 $731K, 2024 $769K, 2025 $819K.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2025 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
Biggest driver: Senior management, from $334K to $680K.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2025 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
Typical growth among similar towns: 35%. Admaston-Bromley ranks 5th of 29.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2025, 28 similar municipalities · Schedule 40 · archived copy
$1,346,313amortization in 2025 that the budget column leaves out
Side by side, the audited statements show the Township spending $1,135,788 more than its 2025 budget (worked out by us). Most of that is one accounting item. Amortization is the yearly cost of roads, buildings and vehicles wearing out. The budget column has nothing in it for amortization, and the actual column has $1,346,313. Without it, actual spending was $3,915,389 (the segmented schedule prints this total), which is $210,525 below the budget (worked out by us). The same is true of roads: transportation spending reads $2,804,199 against a budget of $1,647,332, but $1,244,390 of the actual is amortization. The planned surplus of $1,438,837 and the actual $415,084 are not on the same footing either.
A reader who compares the two columns will think the Township overspent its roads budget by 70 percent. The documents show it did not, but only to a reader who finds the note. A budget column that leaves out a cost the statements include invites the wrong question.
You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.
Speak for Admaston-Bromley? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Statement of operations: expenses, budget 2025 4,125,914, actual 2025 5,261,702 (2024 4,994,594). "Transportation services" budget 1,647,332, actual 2,804,199 (2024 2,724,780). "Excess of revenue over expenses" budget 1,438,837, actual 415,084 (2024 (274,410)). The columns add up: 838,811 + 1,124,707 + 2,804,199 + 334,079 + 102,285 + 57,621 = 5,261,702.
Corporation of the Township of Admaston/Bromley, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 (Welch LLP, May 21, 2026) · Consolidated Statement of Operations, PDF page 5 (printed page 4) (scanned image; read twice, checked against the printed column totals)
Note 10, Expenses by object: "Amortization of tangible capital assets" budget "-", 2025 1,346,313 (2024 1,540,386). Total budget $ 4,125,914, 2025 $ 5,261,702.
Corporation of the Township of Admaston/Bromley, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 (Welch LLP, May 21, 2026) · Note 10, PDF page 16 (printed page 15) (scanned image; read twice, checked against the column total)
Schedule 2, segmented disclosure: "Transportation Services" expenses before amortization 1,559,808 and "Amortization expense" 1,244,390. Total expenses before amortization 3,915,389; total amortization 1,346,313; net revenue 415,084.
Corporation of the Township of Admaston/Bromley, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 (Welch LLP, May 21, 2026) · Schedule 2, PDF page 9 (printed page 8) (scanned image; read twice, checked against the segment totals)
Statement of change in net financial debt: "Acquisition of tangible capital assets" budget (1,484,500), actual 2025 (1,476,834).
Corporation of the Township of Admaston/Bromley, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 (Welch LLP, May 21, 2026) · Consolidated Statement of Change in Net Financial Debt, PDF page 6 (printed page 5) (scanned image; read at normal size, and the same capital figure appears in Schedule 1 and the cash flow statement)
$156,000building cost not yet financed at the end of 2025, with a loan arranged after year end
The accumulated surplus note shows "Unfinanced building" of (156,000), a negative amount, at the end of 2025. A note says that after year end the Township got a loan of $156,000 from Infrastructure Ontario "to finance the building", due in 2041, paid in half-yearly instalments of $5,200 plus interest at 4.21 percent. The statements do not say which building. The 2026 budget booklet's debt table has a loan of 156,000 for the "Stone Rd Sand/Salt Shed", with a bylaw number not yet filled in ("2026-XX"). Buildings were the second-largest purchase of 2025: $508,564.
Spending first and borrowing after is common, and the statements show it plainly. The open point is only what was bought, how it was paid for in the meantime, and when Council approved the loan.
You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.
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Note 8: "Unfinanced building" (156,000) (2024 "-"). "Subsequent to year end, the Township obtained a debenture from Infrastructure Ontario for $156,000 to finance the building. This debenture is due in 2041 and payable in semi-annual installments of $5,200 plus interest at 4.21% per annum."
Corporation of the Township of Admaston/Bromley, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 (Welch LLP, May 21, 2026) · Note 8, PDF page 15 (printed page 14) (scanned image; read twice, checked against the total 11,378,146)
Schedule 1: "Acquisition of tangible capital assets", Buildings 508,564, total 1,476,834 (2024 1,246,601).
Corporation of the Township of Admaston/Bromley, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 (Welch LLP, May 21, 2026) · Schedule 1, Tangible capital assets, PDF page 8 (printed page 7) (scanned image; read twice, checked against the total 1,476,834)
Debt table: "EST PW - 15 Year Loan IO (Stone Rd Sand/Salt Shed By-law# 2026-XX)" loan amount 156,000, with payments of 8,348.51 in 2026 and 16,432.61 in 2027.
2026 Budget Booklet - FINAL (February 19, 2026) · Slide 24, 10-year Debt Repayment Forecast, PDF page 24 (read from the rendered slide, twice)
$139,602user charges in 2025, against a budget of $70,124
User charges are fees paid by people who use a Township service. The 2025 budget expected $70,124. The statements show $139,602, almost exactly double, and close to the $133,596 of 2024. The line "Fees, service charges, donations and miscellaneous" is also well above its budget: $124,126 against $65,296. Total revenue came in $112,035 above budget (worked out by us). Spending before amortization came in under its budget too (see the first question about amortization).
A budget that is lower than last year's actual for the same line is easy to beat. It can make the year look better than planned. Residents may want the budget to say what it expects.
You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.
Speak for Admaston-Bromley? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Statement of operations, revenue: "User charges" budget 70,124, actual 2025 139,602 (2024 133,596). "Fees, service charges, donations and miscellaneous" budget 65,296, actual 124,126 (2024 83,860). "Penalties and interest" budget 27,300, actual 45,926. Total revenue budget 5,564,751, actual 5,676,786.
Corporation of the Township of Admaston/Bromley, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 (Welch LLP, May 21, 2026) · Consolidated Statement of Operations, PDF page 5 (printed page 4) (scanned image; read twice, checked against the revenue totals)
$433per home on snow ploughing, 2025
Admaston-Bromley spent about $433 per home on snow ploughing in 2025. The typical similar town spent $150. Only 2 of 28 similar towns spent more.
Spending more than neighbours is not wrong by itself. It might buy better service. But it is the first place to look for costs that could be lower, such as contracts that were not competitively bid.
You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.
Speak for Admaston-Bromley? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Snow ploughing per home: Admaston-Bromley $433; typical similar town $150; ranked 3rd highest of 29.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2025, 28 similar municipalities · Schedule 40 and Schedule 2 · archived copy