Questions · 14 so far
We read Bracebridge's financial reports and meeting minutes, and compared its numbers with 67 similar Ontario towns. These are the things that stood out.
These are unusual enough that residents deserve a clear answer from council.
+109%parks, arena and library, 2019 to 2024
Bracebridge spent $5.3M on parks, arena and library in 2019 and $11.1M in 2024. Prices only went up about 18% in that time. Only 1 of 67 similar towns had faster growth here.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 3 sources
$10.6Min savings at the end of 2024
Towns keep savings (called reserves) to pay for new trucks, roof repairs and surprises. Bracebridge had $10.6M saved at the end of 2024, down from $14.8M in 2019. That is 37% of one year's spending. Only 2 of 67 similar towns had less, compared with what they spend.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 2 sources
$5,786per home on long-term debt, 2024
Bracebridge spent about $5,786 per home on long-term debt in 2024. The typical similar town spent $1,131. Only 1 of 67 similar towns spent more.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 1 source
There may well be a good reason. It is still worth asking what it is.
$6,118,091in reserves at the end of 2025, down from $10,551,322 a year earlier
Reserves are savings that council sets aside for named purposes, such as replacing roads or buildings. The Town's 2025 audited statements list them in Note 12. Added up, they were $10,551,322 at the end of 2024 and $6,118,091 at the end of 2025, a fall of $4,433,231 (worked out by us). Three reserves went to nothing: recreation, parks and trails (from $664,893), library and other facilities (from $90,613) and cemeteries (from $26,361). Public works fell from $3,093,970 to $1,613,121. The 2025 budget planned to take $7,209,010 out of reserves and put $3,663,840 in. A Town release about the 2026 budget talks about "reducing our reliance on reserves".
Found by reading the town's own documents · 4 sources
$8,900,609net financial debt at the end of 2025, after having $8,049,368 net financial assets at the start of 2024
"Net financial debt" is what the Town owes minus the money and other financial assets it holds. At the start of 2024 the Town held $8,049,368 more than it owed. By the end of 2024 it was $9,476,911 in net debt, and at the end of 2025 it was $8,900,609. In 2024 the Town spent $29,280,382 in cash on buildings, roads and equipment (tangible capital assets). Its cash and temporary investments fell from $31,163,175 at the start of 2024 to $16,011,400 at the end of 2025. The statements record these assets at $165,760,858, so the spending bought something; the question is how the Town plans to pay back what it borrowed to do it.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 4 sources
$38,885,989of interest still to be paid on $52,197,139 of loans, as the Town's own table shows
The Town owed $52,197,139 on four loans from the District Municipality of Muskoka (called debentures: a loan paid back on a set schedule) at the end of 2025. Two run to 2052 and 2053 and carry 4.30% and 4.69% interest. The Town paid $2,330,290 interest in 2025. Its own table says $38,885,989 of interest is still to be paid over the life of the loans. Payments in 2026 are $3,731,941 ($1,458,295 of principal and $2,273,646 of interest). The Town also has a $5,000,000 bank line it had not used. The statements say the payments are within the provincial limit on how much of its income a town can commit to debt.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 4 sources
$10,000,000committed to the local share of two new hospitals by July 2037
Note 13 of the 2025 statements says the Town has committed to give up to $10,000,000 by July 2037 toward the local share of two new hospitals in Muskoka, in money, land or goods and services. A Town release on the 2026 budget says the plan includes continued contributions to reserves for this. The reserves note (Note 12) lists reserves by purpose and none is named for the hospitals. Total reserves were $6,118,091 at the end of 2025.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
$7.0 milliona year: the Town's own estimate of the gap between what it saves and what replacing its assets needs
Under provincial rules the Town keeps an asset management plan. The 2025 plan values the Town's roads, buildings, bridges, pipes and other assets at $420.4 million to replace. It says the Town needs $12.8 million a year to keep up with replacement, but about $5.8 million a year is available, so it is paying 45% of what is needed and is short about $7.0 million a year. The plan says closing the gap over 20 years would take a yearly tax increase of 1.4% on current property tax revenue of about $21.5 million. A Town release says the 2026 budget includes a 4.9% tax rate increase.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
$1,807,098more spent on materials than budgeted in 2025 (worked out by us)
The 2025 audited statements compare actual spending with the budget. Materials cost $11,382,874 against a budget of $9,575,776, which is $1,807,098 more (worked out by us). Recreation and culture cost $15,049,777 against $13,473,901, which is $1,575,876 more (worked out by us). Amortization (the yearly share of what buildings and equipment cost, spread over their lives) was $7,341,549 against $6,500,000, and rose from $5,352,707 in 2024. Salaries came in under budget: $14,424,396 against $14,786,064. In total expenses were $37,776,492 against $35,685,050. The Town still ended the year with an annual surplus of $1,468,607 against a planned deficit of $1,856,420.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 4 sources
+44%roads and snow, 2019 to 2024
Bracebridge spent $5.1M on roads and snow in 2019 and $7.3M in 2024. Prices only went up about 18% in that time. Only 11 of 67 similar towns had faster growth here.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 3 sources
+47%police, fire and safety, 2019 to 2024
Bracebridge spent $2.2M on police, fire and safety in 2019 and $3.3M in 2024. Prices only went up about 18% in that time.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 2 sources
Background that helps make sense of the rest.
$862,930owed by Theatre Muskoka, with $646,000 set aside against it
Two items in the 2025 statements are about how the Town holds its money. First, temporary investments were $9,099,740 at the end of 2025. During the year the Town sold its holdings in one investment program and put the money into 12 pooled funds run by Royal Trust Pooled Funds Group, all but one of them equity (stock) funds by name. The Town's own note says a 10% change in their market value would change the remeasurement gains and losses for 2025 by $909,974. Investment income was $2,556,281 against a budget of $918,000. Second, the Town is owed $862,930 by Theatre Muskoka for part of the cost of the theatre in the community recreation complex. There are no fixed repayment dates, no interest, and the Town has set aside $646,000 (up from $607,000) in case part of it is never repaid.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 4 sources
−$9.5Mnet financial position, 2024
In 2019, Bracebridge had $36.7M more in cash and money owed to it than it owed to others. By 2024 it was −$9.5M. About 0% of that change ($143K) is a new accounting rule from 2023: towns must now record the future cost of closing things like a landfill. That is not new spending or borrowing. Even leaving that out, only 3 of 67 similar towns are in a weaker position.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 2 sources
$408per home on snow ploughing, 2024
Bracebridge spent about $408 per home on snow ploughing in 2024. The typical similar town spent $75. None of the 67 similar towns spent more.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 1 source
+109%parks, arena and library, 2019 to 2024
Bracebridge spent $5.3M on parks, arena and library in 2019 and $11.1M in 2024. Prices only went up about 18% in that time. Only 1 of 67 similar towns had faster growth here.
| Year | Parks, arena and library | Prices (inflation) |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | +0% | +0% |
| 2020 | −18% | +1% |
| 2021 | −10% | +4% |
| 2022 | +19% | +11% |
| 2023 | +42% | +16% |
| 2024 | +109% | +18% |
Change since the first year shown. The grey line is how much prices rose overall, for comparison.
When one area grows much faster than prices, it is either doing more (which may be great) or paying more for the same thing. Residents deserve to know which.
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 Bracebridge? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Parks, arena and library: 2019 $5.3M, 2020 $4.4M, 2021 $4.8M, 2022 $6.4M, 2023 $7.5M, 2024 $11.1M.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2024 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
Biggest driver: Arena and buildings, from $2.5M to $6.9M.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2024 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
Typical growth among similar towns: 35%. Bracebridge ranks 2nd of 68.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2024, 67 similar municipalities · Schedule 40 · archived copy
$10.6Min savings at the end of 2024
Towns keep savings (called reserves) to pay for new trucks, roof repairs and surprises. Bracebridge had $10.6M saved at the end of 2024, down from $14.8M in 2019. That is 37% of one year's spending. Only 2 of 67 similar towns had less, compared with what they spend.
| Year | Savings (reserves) |
|---|---|
| 2019 | $14.8M |
| 2020 | $14.7M |
| 2021 | $11.3M |
| 2022 | $16.9M |
| 2023 | $21M |
| 2024 | $10.6M |
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 Bracebridge? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Savings (reserves and reserve funds): 2019 $14.8M, 2020 $14.7M, 2021 $11.3M, 2022 $16.9M, 2023 $21M, 2024 $10.6M.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2024 · Schedule 70, line 6420 · archived copy
Typical among similar towns: savings equal to 96% of a year's spending. Bracebridge: 37%.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2024, 67 similar municipalities · Schedules 40 and 70 · archived copy
$5,786per home on long-term debt, 2024
Bracebridge spent about $5,786 per home on long-term debt in 2024. The typical similar town spent $1,131. Only 1 of 67 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 Bracebridge? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Long-term debt per home: Bracebridge $5,786; typical similar town $1,131; ranked 2nd highest of 68.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2024, 67 similar municipalities · Schedule 40 and Schedule 2 · archived copy
$6,118,091in reserves at the end of 2025, down from $10,551,322 a year earlier
Reserves are savings that council sets aside for named purposes, such as replacing roads or buildings. The Town's 2025 audited statements list them in Note 12. Added up, they were $10,551,322 at the end of 2024 and $6,118,091 at the end of 2025, a fall of $4,433,231 (worked out by us). Three reserves went to nothing: recreation, parks and trails (from $664,893), library and other facilities (from $90,613) and cemeteries (from $26,361). Public works fell from $3,093,970 to $1,613,121. The 2025 budget planned to take $7,209,010 out of reserves and put $3,663,840 in. A Town release about the 2026 budget talks about "reducing our reliance on reserves".
Reserves are what the Town can use for repairs and surprises without raising taxes or borrowing. When they run down, the next big cost has to come from taxes or loans. Residents will want to know whether the fall was planned, and what the reserves were spent on.
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 Bracebridge? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The records that would answer this can be requested: Reserve balances and movements for 2025, with wording you can copy.
Note 12, Accumulated Surplus, reserves: "Recreation, parks and trails" - (2024 $664,893). "Public works" $1,613,121 (2024 $3,093,970). "Other" $1,094,654 (2024 $2,750,647). "Tax rate stabilization" $287,906 (2024 $302,392). Reserves total $6,118,091 (2024 $10,551,322).
Town of Bracebridge, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 (BDO Canada LLP, September 15, 2026) · Note 12, Accumulated Surplus, PDF page 25 (printed page 25)
Note 12, Accumulated Surplus, reserves: "Library and other facilities" - (2024 $90,613). "Cemeteries" - (2024 $26,361).
Town of Bracebridge, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 (BDO Canada LLP, September 15, 2026) · Note 12, Accumulated Surplus, PDF page 25 (printed page 25)
Note 14, Budget, the 2025 budget adjustments: "Transfers to reserve funds" 3,663,840. "Transfers from reserve funds" (7,209,010). "Self-finance transactions" 63,220.
Town of Bracebridge, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 (BDO Canada LLP, September 15, 2026) · Note 14, Budget, PDF page 27 (printed page 27)
The Town's release on the 2026 budget quotes a staff member: "By reducing our reliance on reserves, maintaining strong contributions to future commitments like the new hospital, and making strategic capital investments, we are strengthening the Town's financial position."
2026 Budget and Business Plan officially adopted (Town of Bracebridge news release, November 25, 2025) · Quotes section, third quote
$8,900,609net financial debt at the end of 2025, after having $8,049,368 net financial assets at the start of 2024
"Net financial debt" is what the Town owes minus the money and other financial assets it holds. At the start of 2024 the Town held $8,049,368 more than it owed. By the end of 2024 it was $9,476,911 in net debt, and at the end of 2025 it was $8,900,609. In 2024 the Town spent $29,280,382 in cash on buildings, roads and equipment (tangible capital assets). Its cash and temporary investments fell from $31,163,175 at the start of 2024 to $16,011,400 at the end of 2025. The statements record these assets at $165,760,858, so the spending bought something; the question is how the Town plans to pay back what it borrowed to do it.
Spending on buildings and roads builds things residents use for decades, and borrowing for them is normal. But net debt means future surpluses must first close the gap, and it limits what the Town can do in an emergency.
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 Bracebridge? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Statement of Changes in Net Debt: "Increase (decrease) in net financial assets" 576,302 (2025) and (17,526,279) (2024). "(Net debt) net financial assets, beginning of year" 8,049,368 (2024 column). "Net financial debt, end of year" $ (8,900,609) (2025) and $ (9,476,911) (2024).
Town of Bracebridge, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 (BDO Canada LLP, September 15, 2026) · Consolidated Statement of Changes in Net Debt, PDF page 7 (printed page 7)
Statement of Cash Flows: "Cash used to acquire tangible capital assets" (8,050,258) in 2025 and (29,280,382) in 2024. "Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year" 18,304,978 (2025) and 31,163,175 (2024). "Cash and cash equivalents, end of year" $ 16,011,400 (2025) and $ 18,304,978 (2024).
Town of Bracebridge, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 (BDO Canada LLP, September 15, 2026) · Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows, PDF page 8 (printed page 8)
The Town's release on the 2026 budget says it includes "the full operational integration of the Muskoka Lumber Community Centre, the largest municipal asset in the Town's history", and quotes the Mayor, Rick Maloney: "During this term of Council, the Town has made a generational investment of nearly $100 million".
2026 Budget and Business Plan officially adopted (Town of Bracebridge news release, November 25, 2025) · Paragraph 2 and the first quote
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position, Non-financial assets: "Tangible capital assets (Note 11) 165,760,858" (2024 164,007,066).
Town of Bracebridge, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 (BDO Canada LLP, September 15, 2026) · Consolidated Statement of Financial Position, PDF page 4
$38,885,989of interest still to be paid on $52,197,139 of loans, as the Town's own table shows
The Town owed $52,197,139 on four loans from the District Municipality of Muskoka (called debentures: a loan paid back on a set schedule) at the end of 2025. Two run to 2052 and 2053 and carry 4.30% and 4.69% interest. The Town paid $2,330,290 interest in 2025. Its own table says $38,885,989 of interest is still to be paid over the life of the loans. Payments in 2026 are $3,731,941 ($1,458,295 of principal and $2,273,646 of interest). The Town also has a $5,000,000 bank line it had not used. The statements say the payments are within the provincial limit on how much of its income a town can commit to debt.
Interest is money that buys no road or building. A 30-year loan with interest above 4% costs much more than the amount borrowed. Residents pay through taxes, so they will want to know how much more the Town plans to borrow.
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 Bracebridge? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Note 10, Long-Term Liabilities: total $52,197,139 (2024 $53,976,692), made of debentures from the District Municipality of Muskoka: "payable $739,292 semi-annually including interest at 4.30%, due June 2052" $23,249,294 and "payable $787,065 semi-annually including interest at 4.69%, due July 2053" $24,398,444.
Town of Bracebridge, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 (BDO Canada LLP, September 15, 2026) · Note 10, Long-Term Liabilities, PDF page 23 (printed page 23)
Note 10 payment table: 2026 Gross $3,731,941, Interest $2,273,646, Principal $1,458,295. Totals: Gross $91,083,128, Interest $38,885,989, Principal $52,197,139. The note says the payments "are within the annual debt repayment limit prescribed by Ontario Regulation 403/02".
Town of Bracebridge, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 (BDO Canada LLP, September 15, 2026) · Note 10, Long-Term Liabilities, payment table, PDF page 23 (printed page 23)
Note 18, Expenses by Object: "Interest on long-term debt" budget 2,347,290, actual 2025 2,330,290, actual 2024 2,993,795.
Town of Bracebridge, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 (BDO Canada LLP, September 15, 2026) · Note 18, Expenses by Object, PDF page 29 (printed page 29)
Note 8, Temporary Borrowings: an operating demand facility with Scotiabank of $5,000,000 at prime less 0.75%. The Town "had not drawn on this facility" at December 31, 2025 and 2024.
Town of Bracebridge, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 (BDO Canada LLP, September 15, 2026) · Note 8, Temporary Borrowings, PDF page 20 (printed page 20)
$10,000,000committed to the local share of two new hospitals by July 2037
Note 13 of the 2025 statements says the Town has committed to give up to $10,000,000 by July 2037 toward the local share of two new hospitals in Muskoka, in money, land or goods and services. A Town release on the 2026 budget says the plan includes continued contributions to reserves for this. The reserves note (Note 12) lists reserves by purpose and none is named for the hospitals. Total reserves were $6,118,091 at the end of 2025.
This is a promise of a large amount, and the statements do not show how much is already saved for it. Residents will want to know whether meeting it will mean higher taxes or more loans.
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 Bracebridge? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The records that would answer this can be requested: Money set aside for the hospital commitment, with wording you can copy.
Note 13, Contingencies and Commitments: "The Municipality has made a commitment to directly contribute up to $10,000,000 by July 2037, consisting in combined value of funds, land or in-kind goods or services towards the local share cost of developing two new hospitals in Muskoka."
Town of Bracebridge, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 (BDO Canada LLP, September 15, 2026) · Note 13, Contingencies and Commitments, PDF page 26 (printed page 26)
Note 12 lists these reserves: "Major infrastructure" $708,653, "Other" $1,094,654, "Tax rate stabilization" $287,906, total $6,118,091. None is named for the hospitals.
Town of Bracebridge, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 (BDO Canada LLP, September 15, 2026) · Note 12, Accumulated Surplus, PDF page 25 (printed page 25)
The Town's release lists as a 2026 budget highlight: "Continued contributions to reserves to help the Town meets its local share commitment towards the future construction of a new hospital".
2026 Budget and Business Plan officially adopted (Town of Bracebridge news release, November 25, 2025) · Bulleted highlights, third bullet
$7.0 milliona year: the Town's own estimate of the gap between what it saves and what replacing its assets needs
Under provincial rules the Town keeps an asset management plan. The 2025 plan values the Town's roads, buildings, bridges, pipes and other assets at $420.4 million to replace. It says the Town needs $12.8 million a year to keep up with replacement, but about $5.8 million a year is available, so it is paying 45% of what is needed and is short about $7.0 million a year. The plan says closing the gap over 20 years would take a yearly tax increase of 1.4% on current property tax revenue of about $21.5 million. A Town release says the 2026 budget includes a 4.9% tax rate increase.
Roads and buildings wear out. If a town does not save enough, repairs get put off and bills pile up for later councils. The Town is open about the gap, which is to its credit, and residents can ask how the 2026 budget and later ones deal with 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 Bracebridge? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Executive Summary: the seven asset categories "have a total replacement cost of $420.4 million". "On average, the Town requires $12.8 million per year". "Approximately $5.8 million in average annual funding is available". The Town "is addressing 45% of its annual capital requirements, corresponding to an actual reinvestment rate of 1.4% and an estimated annual funding shortfall of $7.0 million".
Town of Bracebridge 2025 Asset Management Plan · Executive Summary, Financial Management, PDF pages 4 to 5 (printed pages 4 to 5)
"Based on the Town's current property tax revenue of approximately $21.5 million, closing the annual infrastructure funding gap over a 20-year period would require a dedicated annual tax increase of 1.4%." The plan gives 1.9% over 15 years and 2.9% over 10 years.
Town of Bracebridge 2025 Asset Management Plan · Executive Summary, Financial Management, PDF page 5 (printed page 5)
The Town's release says: "This year's budget includes a 4.9% tax rate increase" and that since COVID-19 the Town has kept an average annual tax rate increase of 3.7%.
2026 Budget and Business Plan officially adopted (Town of Bracebridge news release, November 25, 2025) · Paragraphs 2 and 3
$1,807,098more spent on materials than budgeted in 2025 (worked out by us)
The 2025 audited statements compare actual spending with the budget. Materials cost $11,382,874 against a budget of $9,575,776, which is $1,807,098 more (worked out by us). Recreation and culture cost $15,049,777 against $13,473,901, which is $1,575,876 more (worked out by us). Amortization (the yearly share of what buildings and equipment cost, spread over their lives) was $7,341,549 against $6,500,000, and rose from $5,352,707 in 2024. Salaries came in under budget: $14,424,396 against $14,786,064. In total expenses were $37,776,492 against $35,685,050. The Town still ended the year with an annual surplus of $1,468,607 against a planned deficit of $1,856,420.
A budget is a promise about how tax money will be used. A few lines far over budget can mean the plan understated costs. The statements show revenue also came in higher, which may have covered it, but residents will want to see the lines.
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 Bracebridge? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Note 18, Expenses by Object: "Materials" budget 9,575,776, actual 2025 11,382,874. "Salaries, wages and employee benefits" budget 14,786,064, actual 14,424,396. "Amortization" budget 6,500,000, actual 7,341,549 (2024 5,352,707). Total budget 35,685,050, actual 37,776,492.
Town of Bracebridge, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 (BDO Canada LLP, September 15, 2026) · Note 18, Expenses by Object, PDF page 29 (printed page 29)
Statement of Operations: "Recreation and culture" budget 13,473,901, actual 2025 15,049,777, actual 2024 12,962,994. "Annual surplus" budget (1,856,420), actual 1,468,607 (2024 5,921,620). Revenue total budget 33,828,630, actual 39,245,099.
Town of Bracebridge, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 (BDO Canada LLP, September 15, 2026) · Consolidated Statement of Operations, PDF page 5 (printed page 5)
Note 21, Segmented Information, Recreation and Culture: amortization of tangible capital assets 3,539,108 in 2025 (1,735,396 in 2024 on the next page); annual deficit (2,115,994).
Town of Bracebridge, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 (BDO Canada LLP, September 15, 2026) · Note 21, Segmented Information, PDF pages 32 and 33 (printed pages 32 and 33)
Note 14, Budget: "In addition, the budget expensed all tangible capital expenses rather than including amortization expense." "Budget deficit per statement of operations" $ (1,856,420).
Town of Bracebridge, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 (BDO Canada LLP, September 15, 2026) · Note 14, Budget, PDF page 27 (printed page 27)
+44%roads and snow, 2019 to 2024
Bracebridge spent $5.1M on roads and snow in 2019 and $7.3M in 2024. Prices only went up about 18% in that time. Only 11 of 67 similar towns had faster growth here.
| Year | Roads and snow | Prices (inflation) |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | +0% | +0% |
| 2020 | −2% | +1% |
| 2021 | +29% | +4% |
| 2022 | +11% | +11% |
| 2023 | +22% | +16% |
| 2024 | +44% | +18% |
Change since the first year shown. The grey line is how much prices rose overall, for comparison.
When one area grows much faster than prices, it is either doing more (which may be great) or paying more for the same thing. Residents deserve to know which.
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 Bracebridge? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Roads and snow: 2019 $5.1M, 2020 $5.0M, 2021 $6.5M, 2022 $5.6M, 2023 $6.2M, 2024 $7.3M.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2024 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
Biggest driver: Roadsides and signs, from $488K to $1.2M.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2024 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
Typical growth among similar towns: 24%. Bracebridge ranks 12th of 68.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2024, 67 similar municipalities · Schedule 40 · archived copy
+47%police, fire and safety, 2019 to 2024
Bracebridge spent $2.2M on police, fire and safety in 2019 and $3.3M in 2024. Prices only went up about 18% in that time.
| Year | Police, fire and safety | Prices (inflation) |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | +0% | +0% |
| 2020 | −17% | +1% |
| 2021 | −8% | +4% |
| 2022 | −0% | +11% |
| 2023 | +22% | +16% |
| 2024 | +47% | +18% |
Change since the first year shown. The grey line is how much prices rose overall, for comparison.
When one area grows much faster than prices, it is either doing more (which may be great) or paying more for the same thing. Residents deserve to know which.
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 Bracebridge? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Police, fire and safety: 2019 $2.2M, 2020 $1.8M, 2021 $2.0M, 2022 $2.2M, 2023 $2.7M, 2024 $3.3M.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2024 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
Biggest driver: Fire department, from $1.0M to $1.7M.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2024 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
$862,930owed by Theatre Muskoka, with $646,000 set aside against it
Two items in the 2025 statements are about how the Town holds its money. First, temporary investments were $9,099,740 at the end of 2025. During the year the Town sold its holdings in one investment program and put the money into 12 pooled funds run by Royal Trust Pooled Funds Group, all but one of them equity (stock) funds by name. The Town's own note says a 10% change in their market value would change the remeasurement gains and losses for 2025 by $909,974. Investment income was $2,556,281 against a budget of $918,000. Second, the Town is owed $862,930 by Theatre Muskoka for part of the cost of the theatre in the community recreation complex. There are no fixed repayment dates, no interest, and the Town has set aside $646,000 (up from $607,000) in case part of it is never repaid.
Public money held in stock funds can go down as well as up. And a loan with no end date is one residents may wish to follow. Both are normal for a town that has thought them through, and both are worth knowing about.
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 Bracebridge? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The records that would answer this can be requested: Investment policy and holdings at December 31, 2025, with wording you can copy.
Note 3, Temporary Investments: total $9,099,740 at market value, $9,052,503 at cost. "During the year, the Municipality redeemed its investments held with One Investment and reinvested the proceeds in One Investment pooled funds managed by Royal Trust Pooled Funds Group." "Temporary investments are held for the purpose of meeting long-term capital obligations."
Town of Bracebridge, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 (BDO Canada LLP, September 15, 2026) · Note 3, Temporary Investments, PDF page 17 (printed page 17)
Note 1, Other price risk: "The impact of a 10% change in the market value of investments is estimated to increase the remeasurement gains and losses for 2025 by $909,974."
Town of Bracebridge, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 (BDO Canada LLP, September 15, 2026) · Note 1, Financial Instruments, Other price risk, PDF page 16 (printed page 16)
Statement of Operations: "Investment income" budget 918,000, actual 2025 2,556,281, actual 2024 1,341,285.
Town of Bracebridge, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 (BDO Canada LLP, September 15, 2026) · Consolidated Statement of Operations, PDF page 5 (printed page 5)
Note 5, Long-Term Receivables: Theatre Muskoka $862,930, valuation allowance (646,000) (2024 (607,000)), net 216,930. "There are no fixed terms of repayment and the balance is non-interest bearing." "The Theatre Muskoka has agreed to repay the outstanding balance from capital fundraising proceeds, a ticket surcharge and net revenues of the theatre operations."
Town of Bracebridge, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 (BDO Canada LLP, September 15, 2026) · Note 5, Long-Term Receivables, PDF page 18 (printed page 18)
−$9.5Mnet financial position, 2024
In 2019, Bracebridge had $36.7M more in cash and money owed to it than it owed to others. By 2024 it was −$9.5M. About 0% of that change ($143K) is a new accounting rule from 2023: towns must now record the future cost of closing things like a landfill. That is not new spending or borrowing. Even leaving that out, only 3 of 67 similar towns are in a weaker position.
| Year | Net financial position |
|---|---|
| 2019 | $36.7M |
| 2020 | $38.8M |
| 2021 | $40.1M |
| 2022 | $23.5M |
| 2023 | $8.0M |
| 2024 | −$9.5M |
This number is one of the clearest signs of whether a town is living within its means. The accounting-rule part is a bill that will come due when the landfill closes, not money already spent. The rest is real borrowing and spending of savings.
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 Bracebridge? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Net financial assets: 2019 $36.7M, 2020 $38.8M, 2021 $40.1M, 2022 $23.5M, 2023 $8.0M, 2024 −$9.5M.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2024 · Schedule 70, line 9945 · archived copy
Future landfill and similar closing costs recorded: $143K. Long-term debt: $54M. Temporary loans: $0.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2024 · Schedule 70, lines 2920, 2699, 2099 · archived copy
$408per home on snow ploughing, 2024
Bracebridge spent about $408 per home on snow ploughing in 2024. The typical similar town spent $75. None of the 67 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 Bracebridge? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Snow ploughing per home: Bracebridge $408; typical similar town $75; ranked 1st highest of 68.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2024, 67 similar municipalities · Schedule 40 and Schedule 2 · archived copy