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by hand, Oct 2026DetailsThis is built from public records, which leave a lot out, and some of it may be wrong or out of date.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 Dubreuilville'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 · 12 so far
Things worth asking about
We read Dubreuilville's financial reports and meeting minutes, and compared its numbers with 19 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.
$851,169.60revised price plus HST, against a 2025 project estimate of $400,000.00
In July 2025 council approved replacing the emergency generator at the municipal complex. A staff report dated August 19, 2026 says the engineer's estimate for the chosen option was $335,000.00 plus HST, and the whole project was estimated at $400,000.00. Two bids came in at $945,744.00 and $902,625.00. After the bidder picked under the Buy Ontario Act evaluation was asked by the engineer to review its pricing, it reduced its bid to $851,169.60 plus HST. The report asks council to apply for outside funding before awarding the contract, and says the award is deferred until then.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
Qualifiedaudit opinion on the 2024 statements, report dated July 31, 2025
An auditor's report can say the statements are fair, or fair except for something. For 2024 the auditor, BDO Canada LLP, gave a qualified opinion: fair "except for the possible effects of the matter described" in its basis section. The matter is that the Township has not finished assessing its assets for legal duties to clean up or retire them when they are no longer used (asset retirement obligations, a rule that began January 1, 2023). The auditor says it cannot tell how much this changes the numbers. The auditor's report says its opinion on 2023 was modified for the same reason.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 1 source
$2,162,241accounts receivable at December 31, 2024, almost unchanged from $2,190,593
Accounts receivable is money others owe the Township. At December 31, 2024 it was $2,162,241 (2023: $2,190,593), against a cash balance of $2,483,277, and about 35% of all financial assets of $6,117,966 (percentage worked out by us). The notes break down taxes receivable ($23,927) but we did not find a note saying who owes the rest.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
Dubreuilville spent $617K on running the town office in 2019 and $1.2M in 2025. Prices only went up about 21% in that time. Only 2 of 19 similar towns had faster growth here.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 3 sources
Dubreuilville spent $200K on roads and snow in 2019 and $563K in 2025. Prices only went up about 21% in that time. Only 0 of 19 similar towns had faster growth here.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 3 sources
$243,469set aside for landfill closure, against $2,245,927 already counted as owed
The statements estimate the present-day cost to close and look after the Township's landfill sites at $4,248,849 (2023: $4,125,096). Of that, $2,245,927 has been counted as a liability up to December 31, 2024, and the rest is counted as the landfill fills up. The statements say the balance is "to be funded from taxation, grants and/or other revenues". The reserve set aside for future landfill closure was $243,469, the same as in 2023.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
$5,812,404reserves and reserve funds at December 31, 2024, up from $4,441,508
The statements show an annual surplus of $1,144,797 for 2024, against a budgeted surplus of $94,864. Total reserves and reserve funds rose from $4,441,508 to $5,812,404. The two largest rises were in the working funds (from $1,660,141 to $2,326,383) and the water and sewer operating reserve (from $852,857 to $1,649,701). User fees and service charges came in at $3,207,051 against a budget of $2,968,337. The statements say the budget is prepared on a different basis from the statements, and show how the two are reconciled.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
$1,448,521short-term investments at December 31, 2024, with a note saying April 2028 maturity
The 2024 statements list short-term investments of $1,448,521, bought in 2024. Note 2 says they are two guaranteed investment certificates (savings products) paying 5% and "maturing April 2028". That is more than three years after the statement date, which is longer than the usual meaning of short-term.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 1 source
$1,497,908to be raised from property tax in 2026, against $1,494,028 in 2025
The 2026 tax by-law sets the amount to be raised from property tax at $1,497,908. The 2025 by-law set it at $1,494,028. The difference is $3,880 (worked out by us), a rise of about a quarter of one percent. Both amounts include payments in lieu of tax, which are paid by governments in place of property tax.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
23 pages2026 budget PDF where account names and amounts are not on the same lines
The 2026 municipal budget is a 23-page PDF headed "Budget 2026- By-Law 2026-16" with columns for "2026 Budget" and "2026 Actual". In the copy posted, the account names are printed on one set of lines and the dollar amounts on others, so most lines do not show their own amount, and we could not tell reliably which amount belongs to which account. We did not use any account figure from it.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 1 source
$851,169.60revised price plus HST, against a 2025 project estimate of $400,000.00
In July 2025 council approved replacing the emergency generator at the municipal complex. A staff report dated August 19, 2026 says the engineer's estimate for the chosen option was $335,000.00 plus HST, and the whole project was estimated at $400,000.00. Two bids came in at $945,744.00 and $902,625.00. After the bidder picked under the Buy Ontario Act evaluation was asked by the engineer to review its pricing, it reduced its bid to $851,169.60 plus HST. The report asks council to apply for outside funding before awarding the contract, and says the award is deferred until then.
Why it matters
Council decides on a project using the estimate it is given. When the price comes back at more than double, the money has to come from somewhere: here, savings set aside by earlier councils or future taxes. The Township has put the issue to council in public and has not awarded the contract yet, which is the right order. The open question is why the estimate was so far off.
It could be because…
Construction and electrical prices rose between the 2025 estimate and the 2026 tender, and the engineer's estimate was an early, rough number.
The project scope may have grown after the estimate (for example, extra electrical work).
Only two bids were received, which can mean a thin local market for this kind of work in a remote township.
The Township is already doing the sensible next steps: asking council again before awarding, and looking for a federal grant.
Questions you could ask
What did the 2025 estimate of $335,000 include, and what changed between then and the tender?
Was the project re-scoped, or did only prices change?
What did council decide on August 26, 2026, and when will it hear whether the grant was approved?
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 Dubreuilville?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Staff report, August 19, 2026: the engineering estimate for the option council chose in 2025 was "$335,000 plus HST"; the July 2025 report gave an overall project estimate of "$400,000". The report says the successful bidder submitted "a revised price of $851,169.60 plus HST". The table shows an increase over the Council report total project estimate (2025) of $451,169.60 and over the engineer's estimate of $516,169.60.
Procurement results: two bids were received. Original bids were $945,744.00 and $902,625.00. The report says "the bidder reviewed its pricing and reduced its bid by $94,574.40, resulting in the revised price of $851,169.60 plus HST", and that this is $51,455.40 below the original bid of the other bidder. It says the successful bidder was identified under the Buy Ontario Act evaluation on Ontario and Canadian content.
Funding: $371,000.00 is already in the Generator Fund, including $150,000.00 from the Canada Community-Building Fund. The report says $480,169.60 plus HST more is needed. It recommends applying to FCM's Green Municipal Fund before making a final award. If the grant were 60%, the report works out a municipal share of about $340,467.84. It lists the Working Fund at a preliminary $1,858,186.29.
Qualifiedaudit opinion on the 2024 statements, report dated July 31, 2025
An auditor's report can say the statements are fair, or fair except for something. For 2024 the auditor, BDO Canada LLP, gave a qualified opinion: fair "except for the possible effects of the matter described" in its basis section. The matter is that the Township has not finished assessing its assets for legal duties to clean up or retire them when they are no longer used (asset retirement obligations, a rule that began January 1, 2023). The auditor says it cannot tell how much this changes the numbers. The auditor's report says its opinion on 2023 was modified for the same reason.
Why it matters
A qualified opinion means part of the picture has not been checked or counted. It does not say anything is wrong. It does mean residents cannot be sure that spending and savings figures are complete until the work is done. The same issue shows up two years running.
It could be because…
Many small municipalities have found the new asset retirement rule hard to apply because it needs engineering input on every building, well and tank.
The Township may have a plan and a date to finish the assessment that is not in the papers we read.
The unfinished work may turn out to be small once counted.
Questions you could ask
When will the Township finish assessing its assets for asset retirement obligations?
Has the auditor been given a date, and will the 2025 opinion also be qualified?
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 Dubreuilville?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Auditor's report: "Management has not completed its assessment of the tangible capital assets for potential asset retirement obligations. As a result, it is not possible to quantify the impact of this departure"; "Our audit opinion on the financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023 was modified accordingly".
$2,162,241accounts receivable at December 31, 2024, almost unchanged from $2,190,593
Accounts receivable is money others owe the Township. At December 31, 2024 it was $2,162,241 (2023: $2,190,593), against a cash balance of $2,483,277, and about 35% of all financial assets of $6,117,966 (percentage worked out by us). The notes break down taxes receivable ($23,927) but we did not find a note saying who owes the rest.
Why it matters
A receivable that stays large year after year might be grant money the province or Ottawa has not yet paid, which is normal, or money that may be hard to collect. A short breakdown in the notes would answer the question for any reader.
It could be because…
Grant money for projects already built that has been claimed but not yet paid.
Amounts owed by other governments for shared services, such as HST rebates.
Payments from water and sewer customers billed near year end.
Questions you could ask
Who owes the Township the $2,162,241, and how much of it is government grants?
How much had been collected by the time the statements were approved on September 10, 2025?
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 Dubreuilville?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Note 4 covers taxes receivable only: current year levies $ 17,059, prior year levies 22,119, interest and penalties 4,749, less allowance (20,000), total $ 23,927. We did not find a note breaking down the other accounts receivable.
Dubreuilville spent $617K on running the town office in 2019 and $1.2M in 2025. Prices only went up about 21% in that time. Only 2 of 19 similar towns had faster growth here.
Why did the cost of running the town office grow 96% in 6 years?
Running the town office
Prices (inflation)
+0%+20%+40%+60%+80%+100%
+96%
2019202020212022202320242025
Show as a table
Year
Running the town office
Prices (inflation)
2019
+0%
+0%
2020
+7%
+1%
2021
+29%
+4%
2022
+68%
+11%
2023
+72%
+16%
2024
+78%
+18%
2025
+96%
+21%
Change since the first year shown. The grey line is how much prices rose overall, for comparison.
Why it matters
Money spent running the office is money not spent on roads, water or safety. When office costs grow much faster than the services people see, it is fair to ask what the extra money is buying.
It could be because…
The town 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 $591K a year pay for?
Why did senior management go from $580K to $1.2M?
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 Dubreuilville?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Running the town office: 2019 $617K, 2020 $662K, 2021 $793K, 2022 $1.0M, 2023 $1.1M, 2024 $1.1M, 2025 $1.2M.
Dubreuilville spent $200K on roads and snow in 2019 and $563K in 2025. Prices only went up about 21% in that time. Only 0 of 19 similar towns had faster growth here.
Why did the cost of roads and snow grow 181% in 6 years?
Roads and snow
Prices (inflation)
+0%+50%+100%+150%+200%
+181%
2019202020212022202320242025
Show as a table
Year
Roads and snow
Prices (inflation)
2019
+0%
+0%
2020
+20%
+1%
2021
+73%
+4%
2022
+66%
+11%
2023
+113%
+16%
2024
+158%
+18%
2025
+181%
+21%
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 town 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 $363K a year pay for?
Why did paved roads go from $144K to $470K?
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 Dubreuilville?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Dubreuilville spent $222K on police, fire and safety in 2019 and $511K in 2025. Prices only went up about 21% in that time.
Why did the cost of police, fire and safety grow 130% in 6 years?
Police, fire and safety
Prices (inflation)
+0%+50%+100%+150%
+130%
2019202020212022202320242025
Show as a table
Year
Police, fire and safety
Prices (inflation)
2019
+0%
+0%
2020
+7%
+1%
2021
+3%
+4%
2022
+20%
+11%
2023
+61%
+16%
2024
+49%
+18%
2025
+130%
+21%
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 town 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 $289K a year pay for?
Why did fire department go from $93,852 to $255K?
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 Dubreuilville?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Police, fire and safety: 2019 $222K, 2020 $238K, 2021 $230K, 2022 $268K, 2023 $357K, 2024 $331K, 2025 $511K.
Dubreuilville spent about $8,323 per home on long-term debt in 2025. The typical similar town spent $496. None of the 19 similar towns spent more.
Why it matters
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.
It could be because…
Geography: more roads, more snow, a bigger area or a landfill of its own.
Accounting: some towns record the same cost in a different category.
A one-time cost in this year.
Questions you could ask
What makes this cost higher here than in similar towns?
When were the main contracts in this area last put out to competitive tender?
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 Dubreuilville?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Long-term debt per home: Dubreuilville $8,323; typical similar town $496; ranked 1st highest of 20.
$243,469set aside for landfill closure, against $2,245,927 already counted as owed
The statements estimate the present-day cost to close and look after the Township's landfill sites at $4,248,849 (2023: $4,125,096). Of that, $2,245,927 has been counted as a liability up to December 31, 2024, and the rest is counted as the landfill fills up. The statements say the balance is "to be funded from taxation, grants and/or other revenues". The reserve set aside for future landfill closure was $243,469, the same as in 2023.
Why it matters
A landfill has to be capped and watched for decades. Spreading the cost over the years the site is used is a normal accounting method. The practical question is whether the money will be there when the bills arrive, or whether residents will pay through future taxes.
It could be because…
The Township may plan to fund closure over the 26 years the open landfill is expected to last.
Grants may be available for closure work.
The estimate may change as the cost study is updated.
Questions you could ask
Does the Township have a plan, with yearly amounts, to build the landfill closure reserve?
When was the closure cost estimate last updated?
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 Dubreuilville?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Note 6: "the total net present value of the cost to close and maintain the landfill sites is $4,248,849 (2023 - $4,125,096), of which $2,245,927 (2023 - $2,105,720) has been recognized to December 31, 2024. This balance to be funded from taxation, grants and/or other revenues." One landfill is full and the other is expected to reach capacity in 26 years.
$5,812,404reserves and reserve funds at December 31, 2024, up from $4,441,508
The statements show an annual surplus of $1,144,797 for 2024, against a budgeted surplus of $94,864. Total reserves and reserve funds rose from $4,441,508 to $5,812,404. The two largest rises were in the working funds (from $1,660,141 to $2,326,383) and the water and sewer operating reserve (from $852,857 to $1,649,701). User fees and service charges came in at $3,207,051 against a budget of $2,968,337. The statements say the budget is prepared on a different basis from the statements, and show how the two are reconciled.
Why it matters
Reserves are money set aside for future needs. The question for residents is whether water and sewer charges are set higher than the service costs, since that reserve nearly doubled in a year.
It could be because…
The Township's own note says the budget and the statements use different bases, so part of the gap is accounting.
Water and sewer reserves may be building toward the water treatment work now being done, which the Township has budgeted for.
Grants received late in the year may have been set aside until the work is done.
Questions you could ask
What is the water and sewer operating reserve being saved for, and is there a target?
Are water and sewer rates set from the cost of the service, with the reserve as a planned part?
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 Dubreuilville?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Statement of operations, 2024: "Annual surplus" budget 94,864, actual 1,144,797. "User fees and service charges" budget 2,968,337, actual 3,207,051.
Note 12: the budget "was not prepared on a basis consistent with that used to report actual results". Adjustments listed include "Acquisition of tangible capital assets" 294,500, "Net inter-fund transfers to reserves" 446,881 and "Amortization" (585,279), giving a "Budget surplus per statement of operations" of $94,864.
$1,448,521short-term investments at December 31, 2024, with a note saying April 2028 maturity
The 2024 statements list short-term investments of $1,448,521, bought in 2024. Note 2 says they are two guaranteed investment certificates (savings products) paying 5% and "maturing April 2028". That is more than three years after the statement date, which is longer than the usual meaning of short-term.
Why it matters
Labels matter when readers judge how much cash is easy to reach. If the money is locked until 2028, that is worth saying plainly. It may also be a typing slip in the note.
It could be because…
The note may have a typing error in the year.
The certificates may be cashable early, which would make them short-term in practice.
The Township may have chosen a long maturity to lock in a 5% rate.
Questions you could ask
What is the maturity date of each certificate, and can it be cashed early?
Is "April 2028" in Note 2 correct?
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 Dubreuilville?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Statement of financial position: "Short-term investments" 1,448,521 in 2024, none in 2023. Note 2: "two Guaranteed Investment Certificates (GIC's) both bearing interest at 5% and maturing April 2028."
$1,497,908to be raised from property tax in 2026, against $1,494,028 in 2025
The 2026 tax by-law sets the amount to be raised from property tax at $1,497,908. The 2025 by-law set it at $1,494,028. The difference is $3,880 (worked out by us), a rise of about a quarter of one percent. Both amounts include payments in lieu of tax, which are paid by governments in place of property tax.
Why it matters
A flat levy while costs rise, as the generator report shows for one project, means the Township is paying for more through savings and grants. That is a choice residents should be able to see.
It could be because…
The Township may be holding taxes steady on purpose because it holds large reserves.
Growth in assessment may mean the same levy still covers more costs per household.
Questions you could ask
How much of the 2026 operating budget is paid from reserves rather than from the levy?
Does the Township plan a levy increase once reserves are used for large 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 Dubreuilville?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
By-Law No. 2026-16, clause 1: the amount to be raised on all rateable property is set at "$1,497,908, inclusive of payments in lieu of tax".
23 pages2026 budget PDF where account names and amounts are not on the same lines
The 2026 municipal budget is a 23-page PDF headed "Budget 2026- By-Law 2026-16" with columns for "2026 Budget" and "2026 Actual". In the copy posted, the account names are printed on one set of lines and the dollar amounts on others, so most lines do not show their own amount, and we could not tell reliably which amount belongs to which account. We did not use any account figure from it.
Why it matters
A budget is the main promise a town makes about spending. If it cannot be read line by line, residents and council members reviewing it at home cannot check it.
It could be because…
The PDF may have been printed from a spreadsheet program that does not keep columns together, and a fixed copy is easy to post.
Council may have been given a different, readable copy.
Questions you could ask
Can the Township post the budget in a form where each account shows its own budget and amount?
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 Dubreuilville?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Page 1 of 23 is headed "Budget 2026- By-Law 2026-16", "Account Code Updated April 21, 2026", with columns "2026 Budget" and "2026 Actual". Names such as "TAXATION - CX" sit on lines with no amount, and amounts sit on other lines. The 2026 and 2025 water and sewer budgets show the same pattern.
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