Questions · 11 so far
We read Gore Bay's financial reports and meeting minutes, and compared its numbers with 29 similar Ontario towns. These are the things that stood out.
These are unusual enough that residents deserve a clear answer from council.
+114%running the town office, 2019 to 2025
Gore Bay spent $528K on running the town office in 2019 and $1.1M in 2025. Prices only went up about 21% in that time. Only 0 of 29 similar towns had faster growth here.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 3 sources
+47%parks, arena and library, 2019 to 2025
Gore Bay spent $729K on parks, arena and library in 2019 and $1.1M in 2025. Prices only went up about 21% in that time. Only 1 of 29 similar towns had faster growth here.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 3 sources
There may well be a good reason. It is still worth asking what it is.
$264,000counted as owing in 2025 for a $1,150,000 construction claim that was settled
The 2024 statements say the Town was a defendant in a legal claim of $1,150,000 for damages related to a construction project. The Town was defending it and had set aside no money. The 2025 statements say the matter was settled after year-end and that $264,000 is now counted as owing. A contingency is a possible cost that depends on something not yet decided. We did not find a public report on the settlement or on which project it was.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
$239,667general operations surplus at the end of 2025, down from $831,915
The Town's accumulated surplus is split into a surplus for running the Town, reserves (money set aside) and reserve funds. The 2025 note shows the surplus "General operations - Town" down from $831,915 to $239,667, and the working capital reserve down from $366,228 to $320,259. Reserve funds for specific purposes went up from $797,008 to $1,126,098. Net financial assets, which is what the Town holds in cash and money owed to it minus what it owes, fell from $2,579,201 at the end of 2023 to $1,342,896 and then $1,165,379. The 2026 budget presentation says the Town enters 2026 with a "Stable financial position".
Found by reading the town's own documents · 4 sources
$3.2 milliona year the Town's plan says it should reinvest, against about $532,000 actually spent
The Town's 2024 Asset Management Plan says the Town should be putting about $3.2 million a year into replacing and renewing its assets, but actual yearly spending is about $532,000. That is a reinvestment rate of 0.5% against a target of 2.7%. The 2026 budget presentation repeats the $3.2 million need and says meeting it would take a tax levy increase of 3.6% a year and water and sewer rate rises of 6.2% a year. It offers a 2% extra levy as an example, which it says would bring the impact on taxpayers to 5.5%. The Town's plan names the gap. The question is how it will be closed. Separately, the plan puts the Town's assets at $123 million to replace and the budget presentation says $145M, and we did not find why they differ.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 5 sources
Background that helps make sense of the rest.
$1,255,720general government expenses in 2025, against a budget of $898,858
General government is the cost of running council and the town office. The 2025 statements show a budget of $898,858 and actual spending of $1,255,720 (about 40% more, worked out by us). In 2024 the line was $858,377. The notes by type of cost show the "materials, rents and financial expenses" part rising from $190,974 in 2024 to $613,251 in 2025. We did not find the Town's explanation. The statements warn that their budget column is not on the same basis as the actual results, so some of the gap may be accounting.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 4 sources
8.44%commercial increase in the budget presentation, against 2.74% for homes
The budget presentation says the 2026 increase is 2.74% for homes and 8.44% for commercial properties, and shows an average commercial property of $147,012 paying $2,856.36 in municipal tax in 2026. The tax by-law sets the same municipal rate for residential and commercial properties (ratios of 1.0000 and a rate of 0.0204520). For the median home of $160,000 that rate gives the presentation's $3,272.33 (within a cent). Applied to the commercial average of $147,012 it gives a figure about $150 higher than $2,856.36 (worked out by us). We do not know why, and we did not read the 2025 by-law. The presentation's recommendation slide is headed draft, and we did not find the adopted budget.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
$3,541.53printed 2026 household total, where the parts add to $3,517.13 (worked out by us)
On the households slide, the 2026 municipal tax of $3,272.33 plus educational tax of $244.80 makes $3,517.13 (worked out by us), but the slide prints a total of $3,541.53. On the commercial slide, the 2026 parts ($2,856.36 and $1,293.71) add to $4,150.07 and the 2025 parts add to $3,927.65, but the totals are printed the other way round, so the table shows taxes falling while the change column shows a rise. These look like typing slips, and they are in the Town's own public summary.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
$2,477,608of one foundation's gifts still deferred at the end of 2025
Revenue under "Other" was budgeted at $2,360,742 and came in at $4,116,011, compared with $960,958 in 2024. The notes show why this is partly timing. Gifts from one foundation are held as deferred revenue (money received but not yet counted as income until it is spent). In 2025 $2,683,508 of it was counted as income, $1,695,000 more was received, and $2,477,608 is still waiting. The budget presentation says the medical centre renovations and the splash pad washrooms are funded by donations. The open point is that a large share of capital depends on gifts that may not repeat.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
$541,980federal grants held, unchanged from the end of 2024 to the end of 2025
The Town holds federal grants it has received but not yet counted as income because the work is not done. The 2024 statements show a balance of $541,980 after $115,062 was counted as income that year. In 2025 nothing was received and nothing was counted, and the balance is still $541,980. The statements do not say what the money is for.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
$317per home on snow ploughing, 2025
Gore Bay spent about $317 per home on snow ploughing in 2025. The typical similar town spent $142. Only 4 of 29 similar towns spent more.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 1 source
+114%running the town office, 2019 to 2025
Gore Bay spent $528K on running the town office in 2019 and $1.1M in 2025. Prices only went up about 21% in that time. Only 0 of 29 similar towns had faster growth here.
| Year | Running the town office | Prices (inflation) |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | +0% | +0% |
| 2020 | +7% | +1% |
| 2021 | +6% | +4% |
| 2022 | +17% | +11% |
| 2023 | +19% | +16% |
| 2024 | +48% | +18% |
| 2025 | +114% | +21% |
Change since the first year shown. The grey line is how much prices rose overall, for comparison.
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.
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 Gore Bay? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Running the town office: 2019 $528K, 2020 $565K, 2021 $557K, 2022 $619K, 2023 $629K, 2024 $781K, 2025 $1.1M.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2025 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
Biggest driver: Senior management, from $302K to $724K.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2025 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
Typical growth among similar towns: 34%. Gore Bay ranks 1st of 30.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2025, 29 similar municipalities · Schedule 40 · archived copy
+47%parks, arena and library, 2019 to 2025
Gore Bay spent $729K on parks, arena and library in 2019 and $1.1M in 2025. Prices only went up about 21% in that time. Only 1 of 29 similar towns had faster growth here.
| Year | Parks, arena and library | Prices (inflation) |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | +0% | +0% |
| 2020 | −40% | +1% |
| 2021 | −23% | +4% |
| 2022 | +13% | +11% |
| 2023 | +37% | +16% |
| 2024 | +42% | +18% |
| 2025 | +47% | +21% |
Change since the first year shown. The grey line is how much prices rose overall, for comparison.
When one area grows much faster than prices, it is either doing more (which may be great) or paying more for the same thing. Residents deserve to know which.
You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.
Speak for Gore Bay? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Parks, arena and library: 2019 $729K, 2020 $436K, 2021 $559K, 2022 $823K, 2023 $996K, 2024 $1.0M, 2025 $1.1M.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2025 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
Biggest driver: Golf, marina, ski hill, from $262K to $454K.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2025 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
Typical growth among similar towns: 48%. Gore Bay ranks 2nd of 30.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2025, 29 similar municipalities · Schedule 40 · archived copy
$264,000counted as owing in 2025 for a $1,150,000 construction claim that was settled
The 2024 statements say the Town was a defendant in a legal claim of $1,150,000 for damages related to a construction project. The Town was defending it and had set aside no money. The 2025 statements say the matter was settled after year-end and that $264,000 is now counted as owing. A contingency is a possible cost that depends on something not yet decided. We did not find a public report on the settlement or on which project it was.
A settlement is public money. Residents can reasonably ask what happened, whether insurance or another party covers any of it, and whether $264,000 is the whole cost.
You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.
Speak for Gore Bay? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The records that would answer this can be requested: Settlement of the construction claim, with wording you can copy.
2024 statements, note 14 (Contingencies): "The Town has been named defendant in an outstanding legal claim in the amount of $1,150,000 for damages related to a construction project." The note says the Town "has defended this action denying the claim" and that "No amount has been accrued in the accounts as a result of this claim."
Town of Gore Bay 2024 audited financial report · note 14, Contingencies, PDF page 28
2025 statements, note 12 (Contingencies): the claim of $1,150,000 "was settled subsequent to year-end and $264,000 has been accrued in accounts payable and accrued liabilities as a result of this claim."
Town of Gore Bay 2025 audited financial report · note 12, Contingencies, PDF page 25
$239,667general operations surplus at the end of 2025, down from $831,915
The Town's accumulated surplus is split into a surplus for running the Town, reserves (money set aside) and reserve funds. The 2025 note shows the surplus "General operations - Town" down from $831,915 to $239,667, and the working capital reserve down from $366,228 to $320,259. Reserve funds for specific purposes went up from $797,008 to $1,126,098. Net financial assets, which is what the Town holds in cash and money owed to it minus what it owes, fell from $2,579,201 at the end of 2023 to $1,342,896 and then $1,165,379. The 2026 budget presentation says the Town enters 2026 with a "Stable financial position".
The general operating surplus is the cushion for surprises such as the settled claim. A cushion that shrinks by about 70% in a year, while the costs of a large capital program come due, is worth a clear plan.
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 Gore Bay? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Note 11 (Accumulated Surplus): "General operations - Town" 239,667 in 2025 and 831,915 in 2024; Working capital reserve 320,259 and 366,228; total reserve funds 1,126,098 and 797,008.
Town of Gore Bay 2025 audited financial report · note 11, Accumulated Surplus, PDF page 24
Statement of change in net financial assets: net financial assets, end of year 1,165,379 in 2025 and 1,342,896 in 2024.
Town of Gore Bay 2025 audited financial report · Consolidated Statement of Change in Net Financial Assets, PDF page 10
Statement of financial position, December 31, 2024: Net Financial Assets 1,342,896 in 2024 and 2,579,201 in 2023 (restated).
Town of Gore Bay 2024 audited financial report · Consolidated Statement of Financial Position, PDF page 7
The Town's own summary slide lists "Stable financial position entering 2026" under "Where This Leaves the Town".
Town of Gore Bay 2026 Budget Presentation · slide 6, Sound Financial Practices, PDF page 6
$3.2 milliona year the Town's plan says it should reinvest, against about $532,000 actually spent
The Town's 2024 Asset Management Plan says the Town should be putting about $3.2 million a year into replacing and renewing its assets, but actual yearly spending is about $532,000. That is a reinvestment rate of 0.5% against a target of 2.7%. The 2026 budget presentation repeats the $3.2 million need and says meeting it would take a tax levy increase of 3.6% a year and water and sewer rate rises of 6.2% a year. It offers a 2% extra levy as an example, which it says would bring the impact on taxpayers to 5.5%. The Town's plan names the gap. The question is how it will be closed. Separately, the plan puts the Town's assets at $123 million to replace and the budget presentation says $145M, and we did not find why they differ.
Roads, pipes and buildings wear out whether or not a budget sets money aside. Without a plan to pay for it, the cost moves to future councils and taxpayers.
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 Gore Bay? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Asset Management Plan, key insights: "The Town's target re-investment rate is 2.7%, and the actual re-investment rate is 0.5%"; the total replacement cost of the asset portfolio is "$123 million".
Town of Gore Bay Asset Management Plan 2024 · Key Insights, PDF page 24
Asset Management Plan, target versus actual reinvestment: the Town should be allocating "approximately $3.2 million annually"; "Actual annual spending on infrastructure totals approximately $532,000".
Town of Gore Bay Asset Management Plan 2024 · Target vs. Actual Reinvestment Rate, PDF page 27
2026 budget presentation, Infrastructure Gap slide: "2024 Asset Management Plan indicated a need to invest $3.2 million of Capital each year for the next 20 years", requiring a levy increase of 3.6% annually and water and sewer rate increases of 6.2% annually, with "$145M of Existing Assets".
Town of Gore Bay 2026 Budget Presentation · Infrastructure Gap slide, PDF page 32
2025 statements, note 10 (Tangible Capital Assets): additions during the year totalled $4,770,936.
Town of Gore Bay 2025 audited financial report · note 10, Tangible Capital Assets, PDF page 23
Overview slide: "2% investment to address the infrastructure gap would bring the impact to taxpayers to 5.5%"; "1% is equal to $15,012 - the total contribution would be $30,024"; Impact to Residential = 2.74%.
Town of Gore Bay, 2026 Budget Presentation (approved) · Overview slide, PDF page 39
$1,255,720general government expenses in 2025, against a budget of $898,858
General government is the cost of running council and the town office. The 2025 statements show a budget of $898,858 and actual spending of $1,255,720 (about 40% more, worked out by us). In 2024 the line was $858,377. The notes by type of cost show the "materials, rents and financial expenses" part rising from $190,974 in 2024 to $613,251 in 2025. We did not find the Town's explanation. The statements warn that their budget column is not on the same basis as the actual results, so some of the gap may be accounting.
Administration is the part of the budget residents see least. A large, unexplained rise in one year is worth a plain answer, even if the answer is a one-time item.
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 Gore Bay? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The records that would answer this can be requested: General government budget-to-actual report for 2025, with wording you can copy.
Statement of operations: General government expenses were 898,858 in the 2025 budget column, 1,255,720 actual in 2025 and 858,377 actual in 2024.
Town of Gore Bay 2025 audited financial report · Consolidated Statement of Operations and Accumulated Surplus, PDF page 8
Note 19, segmented information for 2025: general government "Materials, rents and financial expenses" of 613,251, within total general government expenses of 1,255,720.
Town of Gore Bay 2025 audited financial report · note 19, Segmented Information 2025, PDF page 29
Note 19, segmented information for 2024: general government "Materials, rents and financial expenses" of 190,974, within total general government expenses of 858,377.
Town of Gore Bay 2025 audited financial report · note 19, Segmented Information 2024, PDF page 30
Note 17 (Budget Figures): "The budget adopted by Council was not prepared on a basis consistent with that used to report actual results in these consolidated financial statements."
Town of Gore Bay 2025 audited financial report · note 17, Budget Figures, PDF page 28
8.44%commercial increase in the budget presentation, against 2.74% for homes
The budget presentation says the 2026 increase is 2.74% for homes and 8.44% for commercial properties, and shows an average commercial property of $147,012 paying $2,856.36 in municipal tax in 2026. The tax by-law sets the same municipal rate for residential and commercial properties (ratios of 1.0000 and a rate of 0.0204520). For the median home of $160,000 that rate gives the presentation's $3,272.33 (within a cent). Applied to the commercial average of $147,012 it gives a figure about $150 higher than $2,856.36 (worked out by us). We do not know why, and we did not read the 2025 by-law. The presentation's recommendation slide is headed draft, and we did not find the adopted budget.
Business owners plan around these figures. If the presentation understated the commercial bill, or used a different rate than the one Council passed, they should hear it from the Town.
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 Gore Bay? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Impact to Commercial / Industrial: average property value $147,012; municipal tax 2,633.94 in 2025 and 2,856.36 in 2026, a change of 222.42; educational tax 1,293.71 in both years. The overview slide says "Impact to Residential = 2.74%" and "Commercial = 8.44%".
Town of Gore Bay 2026 Budget Presentation · Impact to Commercial / Industrial slide, PDF page 41; overview slide, PDF page 39
Impact to Households: median property value $160,000; municipal tax 3,185.16 in 2025 and 3,272.33 in 2026, a change of 87.17.
Town of Gore Bay 2026 Budget Presentation · Impact to Households slide, PDF page 40
By-law 2026-04, schedule A: municipal tax rate 0.0204520 for Residential, Multi-Residential, Commercial and Industrial alike; section 2 sets the Commercial tax ratio at 1.0000, the same as Residential.
By-law No. 2026-04 · section 2 (PDF page 1) and Schedule A (PDF page 3)
$3,541.53printed 2026 household total, where the parts add to $3,517.13 (worked out by us)
On the households slide, the 2026 municipal tax of $3,272.33 plus educational tax of $244.80 makes $3,517.13 (worked out by us), but the slide prints a total of $3,541.53. On the commercial slide, the 2026 parts ($2,856.36 and $1,293.71) add to $4,150.07 and the 2025 parts add to $3,927.65, but the totals are printed the other way round, so the table shows taxes falling while the change column shows a rise. These look like typing slips, and they are in the Town's own public summary.
The table is what most residents will read. Printed totals that do not add up make it hard to trust the other numbers on the page.
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 Gore Bay? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Impact to Households: municipal tax 3,185.16 and 3,272.33; educational tax 244.80 and 244.80; TOTAL $3,429.96 and $3,541.53.
Town of Gore Bay 2026 Budget Presentation · Impact to Households slide, PDF page 40
Impact to Commercial / Industrial: municipal tax 2,633.94 and 2,856.36; educational tax 1,293.71 and 1,293.71; TOTAL $4,150.07 and $3,927.65; change 222.42.
Town of Gore Bay 2026 Budget Presentation · Impact to Commercial / Industrial slide, PDF page 41
$2,477,608of one foundation's gifts still deferred at the end of 2025
Revenue under "Other" was budgeted at $2,360,742 and came in at $4,116,011, compared with $960,958 in 2024. The notes show why this is partly timing. Gifts from one foundation are held as deferred revenue (money received but not yet counted as income until it is spent). In 2025 $2,683,508 of it was counted as income, $1,695,000 more was received, and $2,477,608 is still waiting. The budget presentation says the medical centre renovations and the splash pad washrooms are funded by donations. The open point is that a large share of capital depends on gifts that may not repeat.
Residents should know how much of the Town's building program depends on gifts, what the gifts are for, and what happens to the projects if the gifts end.
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 Gore Bay? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Statement of operations: "Other" revenue was 2,360,742 in the 2025 budget column, 4,116,011 actual in 2025 and 960,958 in 2024.
Town of Gore Bay 2025 audited financial report · Consolidated Statement of Operations and Accumulated Surplus, PDF page 8
Note 6 (Deferred Revenues), line for a foundation: balance at December 31, 2024 of 3,466,116; amounts received during the year 1,695,000; recognized as revenues during the year 2,683,508; balance at December 31, 2025 of 2,477,608.
Town of Gore Bay 2025 audited financial report · note 6, Deferred Revenues, PDF page 21
Medical Centre Renovations (2026): "Fully funded by donations".
Town of Gore Bay 2026 Budget Presentation · Medical Centre Renovations slide, PDF page 19
$541,980federal grants held, unchanged from the end of 2024 to the end of 2025
The Town holds federal grants it has received but not yet counted as income because the work is not done. The 2024 statements show a balance of $541,980 after $115,062 was counted as income that year. In 2025 nothing was received and nothing was counted, and the balance is still $541,980. The statements do not say what the money is for.
Grant money usually has a deadline and a purpose. If a project is stalled, the Town could be asked to return the money or lose it.
You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.
Speak for Gore Bay? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Note 8 (Deferred Revenues) in the 2024 statements: Federal grants, balance at start 657,042; recognized as revenues 115,062; balance at December 31, 2024 of 541,980.
Town of Gore Bay 2024 audited financial report · note 8, Deferred Revenues, PDF page 24
Note 6 (Deferred Revenues) in the 2025 statements: Federal grants, balance at December 31, 2024 of 541,980; nothing received or recognized in the year (shown as a dash); balance at December 31, 2025 of 541,980.
Town of Gore Bay 2025 audited financial report · note 6, Deferred Revenues, PDF page 21
$317per home on snow ploughing, 2025
Gore Bay spent about $317 per home on snow ploughing in 2025. The typical similar town spent $142. Only 4 of 29 similar towns spent more.
Spending more than neighbours is not wrong by itself. It might buy better service. But it is the first place to look for costs that could be lower, such as contracts that were not competitively bid.
You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.
Speak for Gore Bay? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Snow ploughing per home: Gore Bay $317; typical similar town $142; ranked 5th highest of 30.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2025, 29 similar municipalities · Schedule 40 and Schedule 2 · archived copy