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by hand, Oct 2026DetailsThis is built from public records, which leave a lot out, and some of it may be wrong or out of date.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 Coleman'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 · 9 so far
Things worth asking about
We read Coleman's financial reports and meeting minutes, and compared its numbers with 42 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.
$297,635moved from the working capital reserve to the water system in 2025
The Township buys water from the Town of Cobalt and sells it to 43 users. The statements say the water system has a deficit because ratepayers were allowed to pay their improvement charges over 30 years while the bank loan was paid off in 10. In 2025 the Township moved $297,635 from its general savings (the working capital reserve) into the water system. The 2026 budget shows the system's yearly running costs are still above what it collects, and says users would need to pay $71.85 a month in delivery charges to break even. The budget sets the charge at $60.95 from April.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 4 sources
$139,261shortfall on the tax-levy budget basis in 2025, against a planned surplus of $4,277
The Township sets its tax rate from a budget that counts loan payments and the cost of buying equipment, but not amortization. On that basis the 2025 budget planned a $4,277 surplus and the year ended $139,261 short, a swing of $143,538 (worked out by us). The notes show three big differences: capital spending was $218,335 against $114,000 planned, loan payments were $279,637 against $191,340 planned, and land sales were $6,121 against $92,550 planned. Over the same year the working capital reserve fell from $1,240,572 to $802,074.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 4 sources
$525,218landfill part of the $785,709 asset retirement obligation at the end of 2025
The Township must close and monitor its landfill one day, and the statements carry that future cost as a $785,709 liability, of which $525,218 is the landfill. The statements say the latest waste capacity study behind it is dated January 16, 2016. The Township's landfill reserve is $77,242 and has not changed since the year before.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
$225,000loan in the 2026 budget to replace a grader
At the end of 2025 the Township had no municipal debt, after paying off a road-paving loan. The 2026 budget borrows $225,000 to replace a grader (road-grading machine). We did not find a line in the 2026 budget for interest or loan payments on it.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
$74,000land sales counted on in the 2026 budget (2 lots at $37,000 each)
The 2025 budget expected $92,550 from selling land and the statements show $6,121. The 2026 budget again counts on land sales: two lots on Girl Guide Road at $37,000 each, $74,000 in all. The Township also carries lot development costs as inventory held for resale ($62,390 at the end of 2025, up from $20,273).
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
$219,429paid to the social services board for 2025, up from $179,986
The Township pays a yearly share to the District of Timiskaming Social Services Administration Board, which sets it. The statements show $219,429 for 2025 against $179,986 for 2024. The 2026 budget shows $229,179. The budget note says costs rose by $12,158 (5.5%), but the budget lines themselves add up to a rise of $9,750 (worked out by us). This is a levy set by an outside board, so this is context rather than a concern about Township spending.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
$4,636.00special-meeting pay in 2025, against $610.00 in 2024 (all of council)
Regular meeting pay stayed at $29,414.76 for council as a whole. Special-meeting pay went from $610.00 in 2024 to $4,636.00 in 2025 and expenses from $1,267.67 to $2,653.29. The 2024 statement prints $122.00 as the special-meeting amount for each member who was paid for one, which suggests more special meetings were held in 2025. The statement says council's pay was set at a regular council meeting on January 9, 2023.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
The professional fees line is budgeted at $190,500 for 2026, against $126,715 budgeted for 2025. The 2025 actual in the budget book is $211,213, marked unaudited. The budget lists what is in it, including $84,025 of consulting for a hydro project that the budget shows as funded by a $75,620 FedNor grant, $30,000 for litigation and $10,000 for legal costs on a property.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
In 2019, Coleman had $27,115 more in cash and money owed to it than it owed to others. By 2024 it was −$189K. About 356% of that change ($767K) 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 12 of 42 similar towns are in a weaker position.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 2 sources
$297,635moved from the working capital reserve to the water system in 2025
The Township buys water from the Town of Cobalt and sells it to 43 users. The statements say the water system has a deficit because ratepayers were allowed to pay their improvement charges over 30 years while the bank loan was paid off in 10. In 2025 the Township moved $297,635 from its general savings (the working capital reserve) into the water system. The 2026 budget shows the system's yearly running costs are still above what it collects, and says users would need to pay $71.85 a month in delivery charges to break even. The budget sets the charge at $60.95 from April.
Why it matters
A reserve is money council sets aside for later. Money moved into the water system is money not available for roads or other needs, and the system serves a small number of homes.
It could be because…
The deficit is a timing gap that shrinks every year as improvement charges come in over 30 years, as the statements say.
A system with 43 users has fixed costs (the supply contract, a licensed operator, meters) that are hard to cover from a small base.
Council may choose to raise charges in steps to avoid a large one-time jump for users.
Questions you could ask
How much of the $161,401 do improvement charges pay back each year, and in which year does the Township expect it to reach zero?
Does council plan to raise the delivery charge to the $71.85 break-even level, and when?
Will more money be moved from the working capital reserve to the water system 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 Coleman?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Note 16, Operation of the water system: "Transfer from working capital reserve 297,635"; "Deficit, end of year (161,401)" against "(461,978)" the year before. The Township "supplies water for 43 users (2024 45 users)".
The Township's own explanation, in note 17: "The Township has allowed ratepayers to pay the improvement charges related to the water system upgrades over 30 years, whereas the water system paid the long-term debt to the bank over 10 years. This has caused a deficit of $161,401 which will be recovered as improvement charges are collected."
The 2026 budget's water system analysis shows "SURPLUS/(DEFICIT) -$5,476" for 2026 and "-$9,833" for 2025, and says: "In order to "break-even" on the Water System the Township would need to increase the monthly delivery charge to $71.85 per user."
2026 Budget · Water System - Operations Analysis, PDF page 18
The 2026 budget raises the delivery charge by $10 a month from April 1: "Delivery - $ 50.95 X 42 X 3 months (January-March)" and "Delivery - $ 60.95 X 42 X 9 months (April-December)".
2026 Budget · Revenue notes, account 15-1010, PDF page 3
$139,261shortfall on the tax-levy budget basis in 2025, against a planned surplus of $4,277
The Township sets its tax rate from a budget that counts loan payments and the cost of buying equipment, but not amortization. On that basis the 2025 budget planned a $4,277 surplus and the year ended $139,261 short, a swing of $143,538 (worked out by us). The notes show three big differences: capital spending was $218,335 against $114,000 planned, loan payments were $279,637 against $191,340 planned, and land sales were $6,121 against $92,550 planned. Over the same year the working capital reserve fell from $1,240,572 to $802,074.
Why it matters
The tax rate is meant to cover the year's costs. When the year comes in short, the difference comes out of savings, which can only happen so many times.
It could be because…
The Township paid off its last road-paving loan in 2025, a one-time payment that will not repeat. The statements say the loan has been paid in full.
Capital grants came in above plan (provincial capital grants were $257,993 against $228,590 budgeted), which may have paid for part of the extra capital spending.
Council may have chosen to draw on savings on purpose to finish the loan and the water system's deficit.
Questions you could ask
Why was the loan principal paid at $279,637 when $191,340 was budgeted?
Does the 2026 budget plan for the working capital reserve to keep falling, or to stop?
What is the reserve balance council wants to keep as a minimum?
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 Coleman?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Note 19, Budgeting: "Capital expenditures 114,000 218,335 146,457"; "Long-term debt principal repayment 191,340 279,637 191,338"; "Surplus (deficit), tax levy budget base (budgeted to be transferred to (from) reserves) 4,277 (139,261) 188,060".
Note 12 on the road-paving contract: "The work has been completed in full, therefore the remaining balance owing is reflected as a long-term loan. As of December 31, 2025 the loan has been paid in full." Municipal debt in the statement of financial position falls from "279,637" to nil.
$525,218landfill part of the $785,709 asset retirement obligation at the end of 2025
The Township must close and monitor its landfill one day, and the statements carry that future cost as a $785,709 liability, of which $525,218 is the landfill. The statements say the latest waste capacity study behind it is dated January 16, 2016. The Township's landfill reserve is $77,242 and has not changed since the year before.
Why it matters
A liability is something the Township will have to pay later. If the estimate is out of date, the real cost could be higher or lower than shown, and the Township has set aside far less than the estimate.
It could be because…
The statements estimate the landfill will not reach capacity until 2085, so there may be little reason to update the study often.
Closing a landfill is a cost many small townships expect to cover with future grants or borrowing.
The auditor may have judged the estimate reasonable without a new study.
Questions you could ask
Has the landfill closure estimate been reviewed since the January 16, 2016 study?
Does council plan to add to the landfill reserve, or will closure be paid from other sources?
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 Coleman?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Note 10, Asset retirement obligations: "Balance, end of year 785,709"; "Landfill 525,218". "The most recent waste capacity study for the landfills were performed in a report dated January 16, 2016."
$225,000loan in the 2026 budget to replace a grader
At the end of 2025 the Township had no municipal debt, after paying off a road-paving loan. The 2026 budget borrows $225,000 to replace a grader (road-grading machine). We did not find a line in the 2026 budget for interest or loan payments on it.
Why it matters
New debt becomes a yearly cost for as long as it runs, which the tax rate has to cover. Residents benefit from knowing the term and the yearly payment before council commits.
It could be because…
The first payment may fall in 2027, so none shows in the 2026 budget.
The financing may change before the purchase (a lease, or paying from reserves).
A grader may be due for replacement, and a loan spreads the cost across the years the machine is used.
Questions you could ask
What is the term, rate and yearly payment on the grader loan, and which budget year does the first payment fall in?
Was leasing or paying from reserves compared against borrowing?
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 Coleman?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
$74,000land sales counted on in the 2026 budget (2 lots at $37,000 each)
The 2025 budget expected $92,550 from selling land and the statements show $6,121. The 2026 budget again counts on land sales: two lots on Girl Guide Road at $37,000 each, $74,000 in all. The Township also carries lot development costs as inventory held for resale ($62,390 at the end of 2025, up from $20,273).
Why it matters
Budgeted land sales help balance the year. If they do not happen, the gap is filled from savings or other lines.
It could be because…
Land sales depend on buyers and the timing of offers, so a miss in one year is normal.
The 2025 lots may simply have been listed late in the year.
The two 2026 lots may already have offers we cannot see in the budget.
Questions you could ask
Are the two Girl Guide Road lots listed for sale, and at what price?
Why were 2025 land sales $86,429 under budget (worked out by us), and what changed for 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 Coleman?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Statement of operations: "Sale of land 92,550 6,121 195,000" (2025 budget, 2025 actual, 2024 actual).
$219,429paid to the social services board for 2025, up from $179,986
The Township pays a yearly share to the District of Timiskaming Social Services Administration Board, which sets it. The statements show $219,429 for 2025 against $179,986 for 2024. The 2026 budget shows $229,179. The budget note says costs rose by $12,158 (5.5%), but the budget lines themselves add up to a rise of $9,750 (worked out by us). This is a levy set by an outside board, so this is context rather than a concern about Township spending.
Why it matters
Shares for ambulance, housing and social programs are among the few costs a small township cannot negotiate.
It could be because…
The board's own budget rose, largely for ambulance costs, as the Township's note says.
The $12,158 in the note may count the increase before a credit from the board's reserves.
Questions you could ask
Does the note's $12,158 count the board's reserve credit, and should it read $9,750?
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 Coleman?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Note 4, Contributions to Unconsolidated Joint Boards: "District of Timiskaming Social Services Administration Board 219,429 $ 179,986" (2025 and 2024).
The Township's own note: "DTSSAB costs increased by $12,158 (5.5%) - $219,429 in 2025 vs. $229,179 in 2026". It adds: "Approximately $13,000 of the increase related to increased ambulance costs".
2026 Budget · Health and social services notes, PDF page 20
$4,636.00special-meeting pay in 2025, against $610.00 in 2024 (all of council)
Regular meeting pay stayed at $29,414.76 for council as a whole. Special-meeting pay went from $610.00 in 2024 to $4,636.00 in 2025 and expenses from $1,267.67 to $2,653.29. The 2024 statement prints $122.00 as the special-meeting amount for each member who was paid for one, which suggests more special meetings were held in 2025. The statement says council's pay was set at a regular council meeting on January 9, 2023.
Why it matters
Pay for meetings is public money, and special meetings are called outside the normal schedule.
It could be because…
More special meetings were needed in 2025 (for example for the budget, the official plan or the water and grant projects).
Questions you could ask
How many special meetings did council hold in 2025 and in 2024, and what was each for?
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 Coleman?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
2025 statement, Total row: "Total $29,414.76 $4,636.00 $34,050.76 $2,653.29 $ 36,704.05" (regular meetings, special meetings, total remuneration, expenses, total).
2024 statement, Special Meetings column: "Mayor Cleroux, Dan $8,794.92 $122.00" and each of the four councillors "$5,154.96 $122.00"; "Total $29,414.76 $610.00".
The professional fees line is budgeted at $190,500 for 2026, against $126,715 budgeted for 2025. The 2025 actual in the budget book is $211,213, marked unaudited. The budget lists what is in it, including $84,025 of consulting for a hydro project that the budget shows as funded by a $75,620 FedNor grant, $30,000 for litigation and $10,000 for legal costs on a property.
Why it matters
This is the largest single non-wage line in general government. The Township's notes already explain most of it, so this note records the explanation.
It could be because…
Most of the rise is project consulting that a senior-government grant pays for.
Legal costs depend on matters outside the Township's control and are hard to forecast.
Questions you could ask
How much of the $84,025 hydro project consulting will the grants repay, and 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 Coleman?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
General government expenses: "16-1252 Professional Fees & Integrity Commissioner $126,715 $211,213 $190,500" (2025 budget, 2025 actuals unaudited, 2026 budget).
2026 Budget · General government account summary, PDF page 6
The Township's breakdown of the $190,500: "Legal - General $15,000", "Legal - Refinery Property $10,000", "Legal - Litigation $30,000", "Official Plan Review (Balance of Contract) $17,925", "Lachford Dam - Power Project - Consulting Services (FedNor Project) $84,025".
2026 Budget · General government notes, account 16-1252, PDF page 7
Grant side of the same project: "FedNor - Latchford Hydro Project $75,620".
2026 Budget · Revenue notes, account 15-5610, PDF page 4
In 2019, Coleman had $27,115 more in cash and money owed to it than it owed to others. By 2024 it was −$189K. About 356% of that change ($767K) 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 12 of 42 similar towns are in a weaker position.
Coleman went from having money in the bank to owing more than it has. What changed?
−$600K−$400K−$200K$0$200K
−$189K
201920202021202220232024
Show as a table
Year
Net financial position
2019
$27,115
2020
$105K
2021
$101K
2022
$93,519
2023
−$456K
2024
−$189K
Why it matters
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.
It could be because…
A new accounting rule (asset retirement obligations, from 2023) added a large future cost to the books all at once.
Borrowing for a planned project, such as sewage lagoons, which is paid back over many years.
Questions you could ask
What is the plan and timeline for paying the landfill closing cost?
Without the accounting change, is the town's position getting better or worse?
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 Coleman?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
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