Not the full picture. Built from public records, which leave things out.Read by hand, Oct 2026DetailsThis is built from public records, which leave a lot out, and some of it may be wrong or out of date. Check the sources, and tell us if you spot a mistake. What this site can't tell you Read by hand. We read Baldwin's own documents for this site in October 2026; the Sources page lists which ones. The comparisons with other places still come from the Province's yearly reports.
Questions · 5 so far
Things worth asking about
We read Baldwin's financial reports and meeting minutes, and compared its numbers with 43 similar Ontario towns. These are the things that stood out.
What these are, and what they are not. A question here means a number or practice is unusual, or harder to see than it should be. It does not mean anyone did anything wrong. Most unusual numbers turn out to have ordinary explanations, and every question lists some. The only way to know is to ask.
Worth asking
Worth asking
There may well be a good reason. It is still worth asking what it is.
$234 thousanda year: the Township's own estimate of its capital funding gap in the 2025 Asset Management Plan
A township's roads, bridges, buildings and vehicles wear out and have to be replaced. The Township's 2025 Asset Management Plan says that doing so on schedule costs an average of $374 thousand a year. It says the Township is committing about $140 thousand a year, so there is "an annual funding gap of $234 thousand". The plan then sets a lower target based on affordable levels of service, which still leaves a yearly shortfall of $47,093. The plan lists $338,672 in reserves (savings kept for a purpose) at December 31, 2023.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
$100,000a year from OCIF, a provincial grant under review, of $140,044 available for capital
The plan's funding table shows where the $140,044 a year for capital comes from: 0 from taxes, $40,044 from the Canada Community-Building Fund (CCBF, federal gas-tax money passed to towns) and $100,000 from the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF, a provincial grant). The plan's own footnote says OCIF "is currently undergoing review by the provincial government" and that changes may affect its availability.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
$852,847the only budget figure in the public record we found: the amount to be raised through taxation
Council held special budget meetings on January 12, February 9 and March 9, 2026, and approved a 2026 budget on March 9. The minutes say a "2026 Draft Municipal Budget" was presented. We did not find the draft, the approved budget or a budget summary on the Township's site, and the minutes we read print one dollar figure for the whole budget. The Plans and Reports page lists the Asset Management Plan, a 2020 Financial Information Return and a 2010 audited statement, but no budget.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
December 31, 2010year-end of the newest audited statements we found on the Township's site
The Township's Plans and Reports page links one "Financial Statement". It is the consolidated statements for the year ended December 31, 2010, with a clean opinion ("present fairly") from the auditor dated June 16, 2011. We did not find audited statements for any later year on the site. The Province's Financial Information Return pages on this site cover recent years, but the audited statements themselves, which carry notes on debts and lawsuits, are not posted.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 1 source
$852,847amount required for taxation approved for 2026 (about $167,773, or 24.5%, above the $685,074 reported for 2023; worked out by us)
The Township's 2025 Asset Management Plan says it had "annual tax revenues of $685,074" in 2023. On March 9, 2026, council approved the 2026 budget "with an amount required for taxation in the amount of $852,847.00". The difference, worked out by us, is $167,773, or about 24.5%, over three years. The two numbers may not be measured the same way, and the 2026 budget itself is not posted, so we cannot see the reasons.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
$234 thousanda year: the Township's own estimate of its capital funding gap in the 2025 Asset Management Plan
A township's roads, bridges, buildings and vehicles wear out and have to be replaced. The Township's 2025 Asset Management Plan says that doing so on schedule costs an average of $374 thousand a year. It says the Township is committing about $140 thousand a year, so there is "an annual funding gap of $234 thousand". The plan then sets a lower target based on affordable levels of service, which still leaves a yearly shortfall of $47,093. The plan lists $338,672 in reserves (savings kept for a purpose) at December 31, 2023.
Why it matters
Money not set aside now means a larger bill later, for a township with a small tax base. Residents who vote on October 26, 2026 may want to know whether the plan's phase-in is being followed in the 2026 budget.
It could be because…
The plan is a planning tool. It says it "represents a snapshot in time" and that its first figure is a system-generated benchmark, not a proposed or affordable target.
Many small townships rely on one-time provincial and federal grants for big projects, so the gap may be covered by grants that are not counted in the plan.
The plan's lower target ($187,137 a year) is the one the Township says it can plan around.
Questions you could ask
Does the 2026 budget follow the plan's recommended tax increase of 0.5% a year for 15 years for capital needs? If not, what was done instead?
Why is the Bridges & Culverts reserve blank in the plan, when the plan lists bridges among the assets with an annual requirement?
Will council publish its 2026 budget so residents can see what is set aside for capital?
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 Baldwin?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Section 1.3: "the Township's average annual capital requirement totals $374 thousand"; the Township "is committing approximately $140 thousand towards capital projects or reserves per year. As a result, there is currently an annual funding gap of $234 thousand."
Section 12.3.1: "The average annual investment requirement for the above categories is $187,137. Annual revenue currently allocated to these assets for capital purposes is $140,044 leaving an annual deficit of $47,093." It adds that the categories "are currently funded at 74.8% of their long-term requirements."
$100,000a year from OCIF, a provincial grant under review, of $140,044 available for capital
The plan's funding table shows where the $140,044 a year for capital comes from: 0 from taxes, $40,044 from the Canada Community-Building Fund (CCBF, federal gas-tax money passed to towns) and $100,000 from the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF, a provincial grant). The plan's own footnote says OCIF "is currently undergoing review by the provincial government" and that changes may affect its availability.
Why it matters
If a grant changes or ends, a small township has little room to replace it. A plan that has no tax money in its capital column leaves the whole amount to decisions made in Ottawa and Toronto.
It could be because…
The Township may pay for roads and equipment from its operating budget, which the plan does not count as capital funding.
The plan may be showing a simple split by funding source, not a policy of putting no taxes toward capital.
Grant programs have been steady for years, and the plan recommends adding 0.5% a year to taxes to begin shifting the balance.
Questions you could ask
How much of the 2026 budget is set aside for capital from property taxes, as opposed to grants?
What is the Township's plan if OCIF funding falls or ends after the provincial review?
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 Baldwin?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Table 37, Required Funding vs Current Funding Position, total row: Avg. Annual Requirement $187,137; Taxes 0; CCBF $40,044; OCIF $100,000; Total Available $140,044; Annual Deficit $47,093. The only row with money in the funding columns is the Road Network row: CCBF $40,044, OCIF $100,000.
Footnote 4: "While OCIF has historically been considered a sustainable source of funding, the program is currently undergoing review by the provincial government. Depending on the outcome of this review, there may be changes that impact its availability."
$852,847the only budget figure in the public record we found: the amount to be raised through taxation
Council held special budget meetings on January 12, February 9 and March 9, 2026, and approved a 2026 budget on March 9. The minutes say a "2026 Draft Municipal Budget" was presented. We did not find the draft, the approved budget or a budget summary on the Township's site, and the minutes we read print one dollar figure for the whole budget. The Plans and Reports page lists the Asset Management Plan, a 2020 Financial Information Return and a 2010 audited statement, but no budget.
Why it matters
A budget is the promise made to taxpayers about what the year will cost. Without the document, residents cannot see what is planned for roads, fire, policing or capital, and the minutes cannot be checked against anything.
It could be because…
The budget may be available at the Township office or on request, and not posted online.
Small townships often have limited staff time for website updates.
The scanned minutes may be the Township's only public record of the budget by choice or by oversight.
Questions you could ask
Will the Township post the approved 2026 budget, and the 2025 budget, on its website?
Is there a summary showing 2026 spending and revenue by service?
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 Baldwin?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Agenda for the Special Budget Meeting of Council, February 9, 2026, section 9, By-Laws, Resolutions & Budget: "1) 2026 Draft Budget".
Minutes of February 9, 2026: "2026 Draft Municipal Budget Presented". Resolution # 26-026: "The council directs the clerk to make the discussed changes and updates to the DRAFT 2026 Budget." Council set the third 2026 Special Budget Meeting for March 9 at 3:00 pm. No dollar figures. (Scanned page, read by eye.)
Minutes of March 9, 2026: Resolution # 26-041 approves "The 2026 Township of Baldwin Municipal Budget" "with an amount required for taxation in the amount of $852,847.00." (Scanned page, read by eye, read twice, at 150 and 220 dpi.)
December 31, 2010year-end of the newest audited statements we found on the Township's site
The Township's Plans and Reports page links one "Financial Statement". It is the consolidated statements for the year ended December 31, 2010, with a clean opinion ("present fairly") from the auditor dated June 16, 2011. We did not find audited statements for any later year on the site. The Province's Financial Information Return pages on this site cover recent years, but the audited statements themselves, which carry notes on debts and lawsuits, are not posted.
Why it matters
Audited statements are the independent check on what a township says it owns and owes. Residents can only see that check for a year that is more than fifteen years old.
It could be because…
The Township may post recent statements somewhere other than the pages we read, or provide them on request.
The Township may have filed its statements with the Province in its yearly Financial Information Return even though it does not post them.
Website updates for a small township may lag behind its filing duties.
Questions you could ask
Where can residents read the audited statements for 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025?
Will the Township post each year's audited statements when council receives them?
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 Baldwin?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Auditor's report: "the financial position of the Township of Baldwin as at December 31, 2010" and "the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects". Signed at Thessalon, Ontario, June 16, 2011.
$852,847amount required for taxation approved for 2026 (about $167,773, or 24.5%, above the $685,074 reported for 2023; worked out by us)
The Township's 2025 Asset Management Plan says it had "annual tax revenues of $685,074" in 2023. On March 9, 2026, council approved the 2026 budget "with an amount required for taxation in the amount of $852,847.00". The difference, worked out by us, is $167,773, or about 24.5%, over three years. The two numbers may not be measured the same way, and the 2026 budget itself is not posted, so we cannot see the reasons.
Why it matters
Residents pay the amount required for taxation. A rise of about a quarter in three years is the kind of thing a budget document normally explains, and Baldwin does not post one.
It could be because…
The two numbers may be defined differently (for example, tax revenue after write-offs against a levy before them).
Part of the increase may be growth in the number of properties, higher policing costs (council passed a resolution on April 13, 2026 calling on the province to review the OPP billing model), inflation or the capital plan.
Council may have set the 2026 amount deliberately to start closing the capital gap in the asset management plan.
Questions you could ask
What are the main reasons the amount raised through taxation is higher in 2026 than in 2023?
Are the 2023 "annual tax revenues" in the Asset Management Plan and the 2026 "amount required for taxation" measured the same way?
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 Baldwin?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Section 12.4.1: "In 2023, the Township of Baldwin had annual tax revenues of $685,074."
Resolution # 26-041, moved by J. Cote, seconded by M. Lepine: "The 2026 Township of Baldwin Municipal Budget be hereby approved with an amount required for taxation in the amount of $852,847.00." Carried. (Scanned page, read by eye: no total on the page to check it against; read twice, at 150 and 220 dpi.)
Can we count your visit? With your OK, we use Google Analytics to see which pages help people. It sets cookies and sends visit data to Google. Nothing loads unless you say yes. Privacy