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by hand, Oct 2026DetailsThis is built from public records, which leave a lot out, and some of it may be wrong or out of date.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 Brantford'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 · 10 so far
Things worth asking about
We read Brantford's financial reports and meeting minutes, and compared its numbers with 10 similar Ontario places. 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.
$208.3 millionowed on signed capital works at December 31, 2024, up from the $123.0 million shown for 2023
A capital work is something that lasts for years, such as a road, a pool or a building. At the end of 2024 the City had contracts of about $208.3 million for capital works that were not yet paid for. The 2024 statements say the 2023 figure was $123.0 million. The 2023 statements, signed a year earlier, said $101.2 million. Work still being built also rose from $55,497,363 to $100,353,864 in one year. The City says council has authorized the financing, but the statements do not say where the money comes from.
Found by reading the city's own documents · 3 sources
$15,197,936added to the 2023 clean-up obligation when it was restated in the 2024 statements
The City owes future costs to clean up and close its landfill, remove asbestos from buildings and remove old fuel tanks. These are called asset retirement obligations. The 2024 statements say the 2023 amount "had been incorrectly reported". It moved from $46,153,603 to $61,351,539 after the fix. The auditors added a note drawing readers' attention to the restatement, and the 2023 surplus was restated down by $663,465.
Found by reading the city's own documents · 4 sources
$16,573,669booked at December 31, 2024 for cleaning up Mohawk Lake
The City carries a liability of $16,573,669 for cleaning up Mohawk Lake, most of the $17,961,696 it has booked for all known contaminated sites. The liability went down in 2024 from $18,277,539, but the City's own estimate of the money it expects to spend, without counting the time value of money, is $20,336,500. The statements do not say when the work is expected, or what share other governments will pay.
Found by reading the city's own documents · 3 sources
$33.3 milliondrop in the City's reserves in 2024, from $109,927,917 to $76,657,216
Reserves are savings council sets aside for a stated purpose. The City's reserves fell from $109,927,917 to $76,657,216 in 2024, a drop of about $33.3 million. Almost all of it came from one line, "Other corporate financing", which fell from $47,876,964 to $14,537,406 (it was $55,226,456 at the end of 2022). Over the same year, reserve funds (savings that the law or a council by-law ties to a use, such as water and wastewater) grew, and so did the capital fund balance.
Found by reading the city's own documents · 3 sources
$21,032,960taxes receivable at December 31, 2024, up from $11,173,592 two years earlier
Taxes receivable is the property tax bills that were issued but not yet paid. It was $11,173,592 at the end of 2022, $14,761,328 at the end of 2023 and $21,032,960 at the end of 2024. That is 88% more in two years. Over the same time the allowance for taxes that may never be collected fell, from $2,374,057 to $1,282,929. Taxation revenue grew much more slowly, about 8% in 2024.
Found by reading the city's own documents · 3 sources
458staff paid $100,000 or more in 2024 (410 in 2023, 366 in 2022)
The City's statements give a count of people paid $100,000 or more in the year, as the provincial salary disclosure law requires. The count was 366 for 2022, 410 for 2023 and 458 for 2024. That is 25% more people in two years. The count includes the City and its local boards, such as the police service.
Found by reading the city's own documents · 2 sources
The auditors signed the 2023 statements on June 12, 2024 and the 2024 statements on June 11, 2025. On October 5, 2026 the City's Annual Reporting page linked only the 2024 and 2023 statements. We did not find the 2025 statements, nine months after the year ended.
Found by reading the city's own documents · 3 sources
$488,143Mayor's Office, final approved 2026 budget, up from $355,412 in 2024
The City's net operating budget for the Mayor's Office was 355,412 in the final approved 2024 budget. In the final approved 2026 budget it is 488,143, up 37%. The Members of Council line fell from 708,302 to 679,351 over the same time. Brantford's mayor has strong-mayor powers, and the Mayor has directed staff to support his powers under that law.
Found by reading the city's own documents · 4 sources
In 2024, Brantford collected $15.9M more in its own property tax than in 2023. That is a 8% jump, while prices went up about 2.4%. Only 1 of 10 similar places raised theirs by more. Almost all of it came from a higher tax rate (up 6% for homes); the value of homes on the tax roll grew only 2.4%.
Found automatically from the city's financial reports · 4 sources
$208.3 millionowed on signed capital works at December 31, 2024, up from the $123.0 million shown for 2023
A capital work is something that lasts for years, such as a road, a pool or a building. At the end of 2024 the City had contracts of about $208.3 million for capital works that were not yet paid for. The 2024 statements say the 2023 figure was $123.0 million. The 2023 statements, signed a year earlier, said $101.2 million. Work still being built also rose from $55,497,363 to $100,353,864 in one year. The City says council has authorized the financing, but the statements do not say where the money comes from.
Why it matters
Contracts the City has signed have to be paid. If the money is not already set aside, it comes from savings, grants or new borrowing, and borrowing is repaid through taxes and fees. A big jump deserves a plain answer on how it will be paid for.
It could be because…
Several large projects were awarded in 2024 and will be paid for as they are built, from grants, development charges (fees on new buildings) and savings already set aside.
The John Noble Home renovation ($23,349,389 contract) and the shared library, recreation centre, school and day care building are big one-time projects that explain part of the jump.
The 2023 figure may have been counted a different way in the later statements. The 2024 statements do not say why it moved from $101.2 million to $123.0 million.
Questions you could ask
How much of the $208.3 million is covered by grants, development charges and savings already set aside, and how much will be borrowed?
Why does the 2024 statement show $123.0 million for 2023 when the 2023 statement said $101.2 million?
What is the City's plan for the debt payments and tax effects of finishing these projects?
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 Brantford?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Note 37 (ii): "The City has outstanding contractual obligations of approximately $208.3 million at December 31, 2024 for capital works (2023 - $123.0 million). City Council has authorized the financing of these obligations."
Note 37 (ii): "The City has outstanding contractual obligations of approximately $101.2 million at December 31, 2023 for capital works (2022 - $67.1 million). City Council has authorized the financing of these obligations."
Schedule 1: "Assets under construction, having a value of $100,353,864 (2023 - $55,497,363), have not been amortized." The 2024 note on construction contracts also lists a John Noble Home construction contract with a total value of $23,349,389, of which work valued at $7,883,119 was done by year end.
$15,197,936added to the 2023 clean-up obligation when it was restated in the 2024 statements
The City owes future costs to clean up and close its landfill, remove asbestos from buildings and remove old fuel tanks. These are called asset retirement obligations. The 2024 statements say the 2023 amount "had been incorrectly reported". It moved from $46,153,603 to $61,351,539 after the fix. The auditors added a note drawing readers' attention to the restatement, and the 2023 surplus was restated down by $663,465.
Why it matters
A corrected number is better than a wrong one, and the auditors did not change their clean opinion. But a $15 million fix to a liability is large. Residents should know what went wrong and what has been done so that this year's number can be trusted.
It could be because…
A new accounting rule on these obligations was being brought in, and the first estimate was missing buildings or sites that were found later.
The landfill estimate was updated with better engineering numbers once staff had more time to work on the new rule.
Restating a figure once it is found to be wrong is what the accounting rules call for, and it can be a sign that the checks worked.
Questions you could ask
What exactly was incorrect in the 2023 asset retirement obligation, and who found it?
Were any other estimates in the 2023 statements checked in the same way, and what changed in the City's checks?
What is the plan to pay for the $64,048,512, and how much has been set aside?
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 Brantford?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Note 2 says: "During 2024, it was identified that the liability related to asset retirement obligations had been incorrectly reported in the prior year. As a result, adjustments have been made to restate the comparative figures to reflect the correct liability amount." The table lists asset retirement obligations as previously stated 46,153,603, an adjustment of 15,197,936, and as restated 61,351,539. Annual surplus from operations was previously stated 52,626,265, an adjustment of (663,465), and as restated 51,962,800.
The auditors' report has a paragraph headed "Emphasis of Matter - Restated Comparative Information" saying: "We draw attention to Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, which explains that certain comparative information presented for the year ended December 31, 2023, has been restated. Our opinion is not modified in respect of this matter."
Note 10: "As at December 31, 2024, the City's ARO liability amounted to $64,048,512." It is made up of asbestos removal 22,558,127, fuel storage tank removal 89,415 and landfill closure and post-closure 41,400,970. The landfill site has "a remaining operating life span of approximately 40 years" and post-closure care "would continue for approximately 112 years".
$16,573,669booked at December 31, 2024 for cleaning up Mohawk Lake
The City carries a liability of $16,573,669 for cleaning up Mohawk Lake, most of the $17,961,696 it has booked for all known contaminated sites. The liability went down in 2024 from $18,277,539, but the City's own estimate of the money it expects to spend, without counting the time value of money, is $20,336,500. The statements do not say when the work is expected, or what share other governments will pay.
Why it matters
A clean-up this size competes with roads, parks and housing for the same money. Residents should know the timing and how much may come from senior governments rather than local taxes.
It could be because…
The estimate fell because some work was done or because the discount rate changed, not because the job got smaller.
Senior governments may be expected to pay a share, which would not show in this liability.
The City may not yet have a firm schedule, so the statements give only a total.
Questions you could ask
When is the Mohawk Lake clean-up expected, and how much will be paid in each year?
How much is expected from the provincial and federal governments or from other parties?
Is the legal action the City describes in its statements related to this clean-up, and can the City say who it is against, without harming its case?
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 Brantford?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Note 15: "The City has recognized a contaminated sites liability of $17,961,696 as at December 31, 2024 (2023 - $19,030,804)". It lists Mohawk Lake 16,573,669 (2023: 18,277,539) and Other sites 1,388,027 (2023: 753,265). "The estimated total undiscounted expenditures for 2024 is $20,336,500 (2023 - $21,741,713)."
Note 16 in the 2023 statements lists Mohawk Lake at 18,277,539 for 2023 and 16,500,366 for 2022, and a contaminated sites liability of 19,030,804 for 2023 and 17,524,712 for 2022.
Note 34 (contingent assets): "the City has contingent assets relating to the commencement of legal action against various parties. The amount and nature of the possible outcomes are not determinable at this time and, as a result, no provision has been made in the financial statements." The note does not say what the legal action is about.
$33.3 milliondrop in the City's reserves in 2024, from $109,927,917 to $76,657,216
Reserves are savings council sets aside for a stated purpose. The City's reserves fell from $109,927,917 to $76,657,216 in 2024, a drop of about $33.3 million. Almost all of it came from one line, "Other corporate financing", which fell from $47,876,964 to $14,537,406 (it was $55,226,456 at the end of 2022). Over the same year, reserve funds (savings that the law or a council by-law ties to a use, such as water and wastewater) grew, and so did the capital fund balance.
Why it matters
Savings are the cushion for surprises and the way to pay for big projects without borrowing. When a large reserve shrinks quickly, residents should know whether it was spent on something planned or is simply gone.
It could be because…
The money was moved on purpose to pay for the capital works under construction (see the question on capital spending), and it shows up in the capital fund balance, which grew.
Council planned to draw down this reserve in 2024 as part of the multi-year budget.
The money moved into another fund that is not counted as a reserve.
Questions you could ask
What was the "Other corporate financing" reserve set aside for, and what was it spent on in 2024?
Was the drop planned in the multi-year budget? Where can residents see the plan?
How much will be put back, and by when?
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 Brantford?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Note 28 lists Other corporate financing at 14,537,406 (2023: 47,876,964) and Total Reserves at 76,657,216 (2023: 109,927,917). Reserve funds total 175,620,808 (2023: 160,220,788). Total Reserves and Reserve Funds are 252,278,024 (2023: 270,148,705).
Note 21 lists the capital fund balance at 88,595,336 (2023: 78,795,872) and unfunded liabilities at 189,143,314 (2023: 192,172,294). Note 27 reconciles the 2024 budget and includes net transfers (from) to reserves and reserve funds of 38,170,261.
In the 2023 statements, the reserves note lists Other corporate financing at 47,876,962 for 2023 and 55,226,456 for 2022, and Total Reserves at 109,927,916 for 2023 and 120,174,558 for 2022.
$21,032,960taxes receivable at December 31, 2024, up from $11,173,592 two years earlier
Taxes receivable is the property tax bills that were issued but not yet paid. It was $11,173,592 at the end of 2022, $14,761,328 at the end of 2023 and $21,032,960 at the end of 2024. That is 88% more in two years. Over the same time the allowance for taxes that may never be collected fell, from $2,374,057 to $1,282,929. Taxation revenue grew much more slowly, about 8% in 2024.
Why it matters
Unpaid taxes are money the City needs for services. If more owners are behind, other taxpayers can end up covering the gap. If the allowance is too small, the City may have to write off bills later.
It could be because…
A few large bills fell due just before year end, or the timing of installment dates changed.
A handful of large commercial or industrial owners were behind or had appeals pending, and the City expects to be paid in full.
The City collected most of the older arrears, so the allowance for old bills fell.
Questions you could ask
What caused taxes receivable to rise from $14,761,328 to $21,032,960 in 2024?
How much of it is owed by the largest few owners, and how much is more than a year old?
Why was the allowance for uncollectible taxes lowered while the amount owing rose?
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 Brantford?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Note 5: Taxes Receivable 22,315,889 (2023: 16,693,074). Allowance for uncollectibles (1,282,929) (2023: (1,931,746)). Net 21,032,960 (2023: 14,761,328). Penalties and interest on taxes were 2,975,032 in 2024 against 2,272,095 in 2023.
458staff paid $100,000 or more in 2024 (410 in 2023, 366 in 2022)
The City's statements give a count of people paid $100,000 or more in the year, as the provincial salary disclosure law requires. The count was 366 for 2022, 410 for 2023 and 458 for 2024. That is 25% more people in two years. The count includes the City and its local boards, such as the police service.
Why it matters
Pay is the largest cost of most cities. A fast-rising count of high-paid roles pushes costs up for years. Residents should know how much is new hiring, how much is raises, and how much is overtime.
It could be because…
Wage settlements pushed more existing staff over $100,000 without any new jobs.
Police, fire and paramedic overtime and shift pay, which counts toward the total.
New jobs the City added for new services.
Questions you could ask
How many of the extra 92 people are in new jobs, and how many were already employed and moved over the $100,000 line?
How much of the rise is in the police service and other local boards?
What does the City expect the count to be in 2026?
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 Brantford?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Note 9: "In 2024 the City of Brantford and its local boards had 458 employees paid $100,000 or more in the calendar year (2023 - 410 employees)."
The auditors signed the 2023 statements on June 12, 2024 and the 2024 statements on June 11, 2025. On October 5, 2026 the City's Annual Reporting page linked only the 2024 and 2023 statements. We did not find the 2025 statements, nine months after the year ended.
Why it matters
Audited statements are the City's independent report card. Voters are about to choose a council and would benefit from the latest one.
It could be because…
The 2025 audit is finished and with council, but not yet posted.
The audit is later this year because of the restatement last year or the larger projects.
The statements are posted somewhere we did not look, such as inside an eScribe report that our script cannot download.
Questions you could ask
When will the 2025 audited statements go to council, and when will they be posted?
Will they be posted before the October 26, 2026 election?
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 Brantford?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
The auditors' report on the 2024 statements is dated June 11, 2025.
The City's Annual Reporting page lists two items on the statements: "Review the 2024 Consolidated Financial Statements" and "Review the 2023 Consolidated Financial Statements". We read the page on October 5, 2026 and did not find 2025.
$488,143Mayor's Office, final approved 2026 budget, up from $355,412 in 2024
The City's net operating budget for the Mayor's Office was 355,412 in the final approved 2024 budget. In the final approved 2026 budget it is 488,143, up 37%. The Members of Council line fell from 708,302 to 679,351 over the same time. Brantford's mayor has strong-mayor powers, and the Mayor has directed staff to support his powers under that law.
Why it matters
A fast-growing budget for the head of the City deserves a plain explanation, especially when strong-mayor powers add staff duties. The amount is small beside the whole budget, but the Mayor proposes the budget, so residents may want to know what the office now includes.
It could be because…
Staff and costs were added for strong-mayor duties, which the law gives to the head of council.
Wage settlements, benefits and one-time costs of the trade and economic-development work the Mayor describes in his Deputy Mayor decision.
Costs that used to sit in another department were moved to the Mayor's Office.
Questions you could ask
What is in the Mayor's Office budget, and what accounts for the $132,731 increase since 2024?
How many staff work for the Mayor's Office now compared with 2024?
How are the costs of strong-mayor duties shown in the budget?
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 Brantford?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
2024 Net Operating Budget Summary, Executive and Legislative: Mayor's Office 355,412 (2024 Final Approved Budget). Members of Council 708,302. Total Executive and Legislative 1,063,714.
2026 Net Operating Budget Summary, Executive and Legislative: Mayor's Office 488,143 (2026 Final Approved Budget). Members of Council 679,351. Total Executive and Legislative 1,167,494.
Mayoral Direction 01-2025 directs the Chief Administrative Officer, City Treasurer or designates to "Undertake research and provide advice to the head of council and council on policies and programs of the City or of the head of council as they relate to the powers and duties under this Part" and to "Carry out duties related to the exercise of the power or performance of the duty, including implementing any decisions made by the head of council under this Part".
Mayoral Decision 08-2025 (revised) appoints Councillor Rose Sicoli as Deputy Mayor for External Relations from August 1, 2025, because trade pressures "demand that I devote increased time and attention to external relations". It says: "Unless otherwise directed by Council, the position of Deputy Mayor shall be unpaid and voluntary".
In 2024, Brantford collected $15.9M more in its own property tax than in 2023. That is a 8% jump, while prices went up about 2.4%. Only 1 of 10 similar places raised theirs by more. Almost all of it came from a higher tax rate (up 6% for homes); the value of homes on the tax roll grew only 2.4%.
Why did Brantford's property tax go up 8% in 2024?
$0$50M$100M$150M$200M$250M
$205M
201920202021202220232024
Show as a table
Year
City property tax
2019
$157M
2020
$164M
2021
$171M
2022
$181M
2023
$189M
2024
$205M
Why it matters
A big one-year jump usually means something changed: a new cost, a service that grew, savings being rebuilt, or a problem from earlier years being paid for now. Residents should be able to see exactly which. Spread across every home, it is about $347 more each year.
It could be because…
Costs the city cannot control went up, such as policing, insurance or county charges.
The city kept taxes too low in earlier years and is catching up.
The city is rebuilding savings or paying for a big project like a bridge or equipment.
Questions you could ask
What were the three biggest reasons for the 2024 increase, in dollars?
Is a similar increase planned for next year?
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 Brantford?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
City property tax: $188,679,553 in 2023, $204,592,986 in 2024.
Brantford spent $59.4M on police, fire and safety in 2019 and $87.4M in 2024. Prices only went up about 18% in that time.
Why did the cost of police, fire and safety grow 47% in 5 years?
Police, fire and safety
Prices (inflation)
+0%+10%+20%+30%+40%+50%
+47%
201920202021202220232024
Show as a table
Year
Police, fire and safety
Prices (inflation)
2019
+0%
+0%
2020
+15%
+1%
2021
+20%
+4%
2022
+27%
+11%
2023
+38%
+16%
2024
+47%
+18%
Change since the first year shown. The grey line is how much prices rose overall, for comparison.
Why it matters
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.
It could be because…
The city added a service, a building or staff that residents asked for.
Costs were moved from another area, so the total did not really change.
Accounting rules changed how costs are sorted.
Large one-time costs, like a study, lawsuit or repair, landed in one year.
Questions you could ask
What did the extra $28M a year pay for?
Why did police (opp contract) go from $33.4M to $52.4M?
Was each increase approved by council as a separate decision, or did it happen through the yearly budget?
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 Brantford?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Police, fire and safety: 2019 $59.4M, 2020 $68.5M, 2021 $71M, 2022 $75.6M, 2023 $81.8M, 2024 $87.4M.
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