Not the full picture. Built from public records, which leave things out.Older reportDetailsThis is built from public records, which leave a lot out, and some of it may be wrong or out of date.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 An older report. We have no 2024 report for Cramahe in the Province's latest release, so these pages use its 2023 report. It may simply be filed late. Read by hand. We read Cramahe'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 · 7 so far
Things worth asking about
We read Cramahe's financial reports and meeting minutes, and compared its numbers with 88 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.
2022the newest audited year posted, with the 2023 statements listed as "Pending final Review"
Every year an outside accounting firm checks the Township's books and signs a report. That report and the statements it covers are the clearest public picture of what the Township owns and owes. The Township's finance page lists audited statements from 2015 to 2022, and lists 2023 as "Pending final Review". The 2022 statements carry an auditor's report dated October 24, 2023. We did not find 2023 or 2024 statements on the pages we read.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
$1,306,738less capital spending than budgeted in 2022 (worked out by us)
Capital spending is money for things that last: roads, buildings, vehicles, water pipes. The 2022 budget planned to buy $3,286,075 of capital assets. The statements show $1,979,337 bought. The difference, worked out by us, is $1,306,738. The Township's own note says capital budgets are set by project and the work can run over more than one year, so budget and actual may not match. The same year ended with a surplus (revenue minus spending) of $896,011 against a budgeted $760,369.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
$148,971 vs $173,970the printed increase, against the difference between the two printed figures (worked out by us)
General government is the cost of running the Township itself: council, administration, finance, IT. The 2025 budget presentation shows its net cost as $475,795 in 2024 and $649,765 in 2025, and says the increase is $148,971, or 31.30%. The two printed figures differ by $173,970 (worked out by us), not $148,971. For the other departments on the slides, the printed increase matches the difference.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
February 24, 2026the meeting date printed on the "2025 Budget Presentation"
The Finance page says 2026 budget deliberations "began in December" and lists meetings of December 15, 2025, December 18, 2025 and February 2, 2026. The newest budget documents linked are labelled 2025. The "2025 Budget Presentation" has 2025 figures, but its title slide says "Special Council Meeting - Monday, February 24, 2026". The line-by-line 2025 budget file is headed "2025 Draft Budget". We did not find an adopted 2026 budget on the pages we read.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
At the end of 2023, $1.8M of property tax had been billed but not paid. That is 13% of everything billed. Only 5 of 88 similar towns had a higher share. A year earlier it was $1.4M.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 2 sources
$233.15more per year on a $400,000 home, Township share only, per the presentation
The presentation says the total tax levy (the amount raised from property tax) rose by $524,678, and by 5.41% after growth in the number of properties. The Township's tax rate went from 0.00845289 to 0.00903537. On a home valued at $400,000 the presentation says the Township's part rises by $233.15 a year, or $19.43 a month. The Township explains the rise with a 3.50% cost-of-living increase for staff, insurance costs up 5% (about $17,000), and a new full-time position. The county and school board parts of the bill are separate and are not in these figures.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
$3,655,856overall debt as of 2024, per the 2025 budget presentation
Long-term debt is money the Township has borrowed and is paying back over years. At December 31, 2022 the statements list long term debt of $3,605,131. The 2025 budget presentation says overall debt as of 2024 is $3,655,856, against $3,423,742 in 2023, and that principal and interest payments are about $374,100 a year. It also plans a $450,000 loan for fire services with an annual payment of $57,500. The presentation also gives an estimated reserve balance (savings set aside) of $6,631,000 at the end of 2025, and calls reserve balances "Adequate". In 2022 the Township had a $1,000,000 line of credit with nothing owing at year end.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
2022the newest audited year posted, with the 2023 statements listed as "Pending final Review"
Every year an outside accounting firm checks the Township's books and signs a report. That report and the statements it covers are the clearest public picture of what the Township owns and owes. The Township's finance page lists audited statements from 2015 to 2022, and lists 2023 as "Pending final Review". The 2022 statements carry an auditor's report dated October 24, 2023. We did not find 2023 or 2024 statements on the pages we read.
Why it matters
Residents vote on October 26, 2026. The newest audited year they can read is 2022, nearly four years old. Without newer statements it is hard to check how the Township has done since the 2022 election.
It could be because…
The 2023 audit may have been delayed by a change in auditors, a staffing change or a new accounting system. The Township's 2025 budget presentation lists "New Financial Software" under next steps.
The statements may be finished and approved by Council but not yet posted on the website.
The Township may publish its Financial Information Return to the province on time, even if the website is behind.
Questions you could ask
When were the 2023 and 2024 audits finished, and when did Council approve them?
When will they be posted on the Auditor Reports page?
Is the file name of the posted 2022 statements ("draft") a leftover, or is a final version available?
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 Cramahe?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The Finance and Budget page lists under Financial Statements: "Auditors Report 2023- Pending final Review", then Auditors Report 2022, 2021, 2020 and earlier. The newest budget document linked on the same page is the 2025 budget.
The independent auditor's report is dated "October 24, 2023" and says the statements "present fairly, in all material respects" the Township's position at December 31, 2022. The management report is dated the same day.
$1,306,738less capital spending than budgeted in 2022 (worked out by us)
Capital spending is money for things that last: roads, buildings, vehicles, water pipes. The 2022 budget planned to buy $3,286,075 of capital assets. The statements show $1,979,337 bought. The difference, worked out by us, is $1,306,738. The Township's own note says capital budgets are set by project and the work can run over more than one year, so budget and actual may not match. The same year ended with a surplus (revenue minus spending) of $896,011 against a budgeted $760,369.
Why it matters
If planned projects slip, the money raised for them sits unspent and the roads or buildings wait. If the work was only moved to a later year, the cost still has to be paid. Residents can only tell which by seeing the list of projects that carried over.
It could be because…
The Township says capital projects are budgeted "on a project-oriented basis" and may run over several years, so a gap in one year is normal.
Grant-funded projects can start late if the funding is confirmed late.
Prices or contractor availability may have delayed tenders.
Questions you could ask
Which budgeted 2022 capital projects were not finished, and when were they finished or dropped?
Does the Township publish a yearly list of carried-over capital 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 Cramahe?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Statement of Change in Net Financial Assets: "Purchase of tangible capital assets" budget 2022 (3,286,075), actual 2022 (1,979,337). "ANNUAL SURPLUS" budget 760,369, actual 896,011.
Note 13, Budget Figures: "The budget established for capital investment in tangible capital assets are on a project- oriented basis, the costs of which may be carried out over one or more years and, therefore, may not be comparable with current year's actual amounts." Budget figures "are not subject to audit".
$148,971 vs $173,970the printed increase, against the difference between the two printed figures (worked out by us)
General government is the cost of running the Township itself: council, administration, finance, IT. The 2025 budget presentation shows its net cost as $475,795 in 2024 and $649,765 in 2025, and says the increase is $148,971, or 31.30%. The two printed figures differ by $173,970 (worked out by us), not $148,971. For the other departments on the slides, the printed increase matches the difference.
Why it matters
General government is the budget line with the largest percentage rise on the slides. If one printed figure is wrong, residents cannot tell whether the real increase is 31% or 37%.
It could be because…
One of the three figures may be a typing error on the slide.
The slide says the budget has a new format and "Reclassifications", so the 2024 figure may have been restated and the slide may mix old and new layouts.
A late change to the 2025 figure may not have reached the increase column.
Questions you could ask
Which of the three general government figures on slide 5 is correct?
Was the 2024 figure restated for the new budget format, and if so, what was the original?
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 Cramahe?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Slide 5, General Government: 2024 "$475,795", 2025 "$649,765", "$ Net Increase" "$148,971", "% Net Increase" "31.30%".
Slide 3, Budget Overview: "Total Tax Levy Increase is $524,678 (2024 - $556,461)"; "Budget Format & Reclassifications" is listed as a point. Slide 6 lists a new full-time position among the general government changes.
February 24, 2026the meeting date printed on the "2025 Budget Presentation"
The Finance page says 2026 budget deliberations "began in December" and lists meetings of December 15, 2025, December 18, 2025 and February 2, 2026. The newest budget documents linked are labelled 2025. The "2025 Budget Presentation" has 2025 figures, but its title slide says "Special Council Meeting - Monday, February 24, 2026". The line-by-line 2025 budget file is headed "2025 Draft Budget". We did not find an adopted 2026 budget on the pages we read.
Why it matters
Residents should be able to find the budget Council actually adopted for the current year, and know whether a posted figure is a draft or final. A document that carries two different years is hard to rely on.
It could be because…
The year on the title slide may be a typing error left from a template.
The 2025 presentation may have been posted late, and the 2026 budget documents may not be posted yet.
The 2025 budget file may be the adopted version with a draft heading left on it.
Questions you could ask
Where is the budget Council adopted for 2026, and on what date was it adopted?
Is the posted 2025 budget the adopted version or the draft?
Which year does the presentation with the February 24, 2026 date belong to?
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 Cramahe?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Under Municipal Budgets: "2026 Budget Deliberations began in December (find meeting minutes below) and will continue into early 2026", with meetings listed as December 15, 2025, December 18, 2025 and Monday February 2, 2026. The budget documents linked after them run from "2025 Budget Presentation" and "2025 Municipal Budget" back to 2020.
Title slide: "2025 Budget Presentation", "TOWNSHIP OF CRAMAHE", "Special Council Meeting - Monday, February 24, 2026". Slide 28 gives the tax rate "2025" 0.00903537.
At the end of 2023, $1.8M of property tax had been billed but not paid. That is 13% of everything billed. Only 5 of 88 similar towns had a higher share. A year earlier it was $1.4M.
Why are so many property taxes unpaid?
$0$500K$1.0M$1.5M$2.0M
$1.8M
20192020202120222023
Show as a table
Year
Unpaid property tax at year end
2019
$780K
2020
$934K
2021
$927K
2022
$1.4M
2023
$1.8M
Why it matters
When taxes go unpaid, everyone else carries the cost, and the town may borrow to cover the gap. The Province's financial indicators treat 10% to 15% as a moderate risk and more than 15% as a high risk. Collection is the town's job, so a rising number is worth asking about.
It could be because…
The final tax bill was due late in the year, so some payments simply arrived in January.
A few large properties are in dispute or being sold for back taxes.
Hard times for residents, which the town may be handling with payment plans.
Questions you could ask
How much is more than one year overdue, and from how many properties?
Are the rules for chasing unpaid taxes applied the same way to everyone?
Has the town registered tax arrears certificates on properties about two years behind? If still unpaid a year after that, Ontario law lets the town sell the property.
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 Cramahe?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Taxes receivable: 2019 $780K, 2020 $934K, 2021 $927K, 2022 $1.4M, 2023 $1.8M. Of the 2023 total, $614K was from earlier years.
$233.15more per year on a $400,000 home, Township share only, per the presentation
The presentation says the total tax levy (the amount raised from property tax) rose by $524,678, and by 5.41% after growth in the number of properties. The Township's tax rate went from 0.00845289 to 0.00903537. On a home valued at $400,000 the presentation says the Township's part rises by $233.15 a year, or $19.43 a month. The Township explains the rise with a 3.50% cost-of-living increase for staff, insurance costs up 5% (about $17,000), and a new full-time position. The county and school board parts of the bill are separate and are not in these figures.
Why it matters
A tax increase of this size is a normal thing for residents to want explained in plain numbers. The Township has done so on its slides, which is why we rate this a note.
It could be because…
Most of the rise is explained by wages, insurance and a new position, which the Township lists.
The rise in the tax rate is larger than the 5.41% levy figure because the 5.41% is after counting growth in the number of properties.
Questions you could ask
How much of the $524,678 is wages and benefits, and how much is the new positions?
Is the 5.41% figure before or after the new position costs?
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 Cramahe?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Slide 3: "Total Tax Levy Increase is $524,678 (2024 - $556,461)"; "Total Net Levy Increase after Growth is 5.41% (2024 - 5.88%)"; "Cost of Living Increase (COLA) - 3.50%"; "Insurance Costs Increased by 5% / $17,000 approx."
Slide 28: 2024 "0.00845289 x $400,000=$3,381.00"; 2025 "0.00903537 x $400,000=$3,614.15"; a $400,000 home "will increase by $233.15 annually or $19.43 per month".
$3,655,856overall debt as of 2024, per the 2025 budget presentation
Long-term debt is money the Township has borrowed and is paying back over years. At December 31, 2022 the statements list long term debt of $3,605,131. The 2025 budget presentation says overall debt as of 2024 is $3,655,856, against $3,423,742 in 2023, and that principal and interest payments are about $374,100 a year. It also plans a $450,000 loan for fire services with an annual payment of $57,500. The presentation also gives an estimated reserve balance (savings set aside) of $6,631,000 at the end of 2025, and calls reserve balances "Adequate". In 2022 the Township had a $1,000,000 line of credit with nothing owing at year end.
Why it matters
Debt payments come out of the same tax dollars as everything else. A steady level of debt alongside reserves may be part of a plan. We list it so residents can see the direction of travel: from $3,423,742 in 2023 to $3,655,856 in 2024, a rise of $232,114 (worked out by us), with more borrowing planned.
It could be because…
The new fire loan replaces older equipment and the payments are planned in the budget.
The 2022 statements say payments are within the provincial limit on how much of a municipality's income can go to debt.
The two debt figures come from different documents and may be counted slightly differently.
Questions you could ask
What is the debt balance at the end of 2025, and what new borrowing is in the 2026 budget?
What does the $6,631,000 reserve estimate include, and how much of it is already promised to 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 Cramahe?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Note 7, Long Term Debt: the three loans in the list add to "3,605,131" at December 31, 2022 (2021: 3,797,293). "Interest paid during the year on long term debt amounted to $124,398 (2021 - $131,206)." The note says required payments "are within the annual debt repayment limit prescribed by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing."
Slide 29: "Overall Debt as of 2024 is $3,655,856 vs. $3,423,742 (2023)"; "Current principal and interest payments for the township are $374,100 approx." Slide 13: "Loan for $450,000, annual payment = $57,500". Slide 30: "Estimated Reserve Balance at end of 2025 is $6,631,000".
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