Questions · 11 so far
We read Grand Valley's financial reports and meeting minutes, and compared its numbers with 41 similar Ontario towns. These are the things that stood out.
These are unusual enough that residents deserve a clear answer from council.
+98%parks, arena and library, 2019 to 2024
Grand Valley spent $819K on parks, arena and library in 2019 and $1.6M in 2024. Prices only went up about 18% in that time. Only 4 of 41 similar towns had faster growth here.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 3 sources
+63%roads and snow, 2019 to 2024
Grand Valley spent $1.0M on roads and snow in 2019 and $1.7M in 2024. Prices only went up about 18% in that time. Only 3 of 41 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.
$3,113,500loan to be issued at 4.53% for 20 years for the Community Centre expansion, per the 2026 budget
The 2025 budget planned to take $3,099,000 out of reserves (savings set aside for later) to build the Community Centre expansion. The Town's 2025 actuals show $99,000 taken from reserves. The 2026 budget instead records a loan of $3,113,500 from Infrastructure Ontario (the province's lending body) over 20 years, after a short-term bank loan in December 2025.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 4 sources
$23,028net cost of the speed camera program in 2025, against a budgeted surplus of $12,000
In 2025 the speed camera program cost far more than the Town planned, and brought in far more ticket revenue than planned. The Town's 2025 actuals show the program ended $23,028 net cost, where the budget expected a $12,000 surplus. The 2026 budget sets cost and revenue equal at $50,000 each, far below 2025.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
$5,000,000pumping station approved December 9, 2025, with $2.5 million from internal borrowing between funds
Development charges are fees builders pay so that growth helps pay for the roads, water and sewers it needs. The Town's budget says the $5 million southeast sewage pumping station will use $2.5 million in developer contributions already collected, and $2.5 million of internal borrowing from other development charge reserve funds, to be repaid with interest. The 2024 audited statements show a parkland fund that is already below zero.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
$167,074landfill post-closure liability at the end of 2024, based on a 2004 estimate
The Town carries a $167,074 liability for looking after its closed landfill until 2053. The audited statements say the most recent estimate of the closure and post-closure cost was based on a report prepared as of November 1, 2004.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 1 source
$94,352spent on sewer repairs in 2025, against a budget of $15,000
Repairs to the sewers cost $94,352 in 2025 against a budget of $15,000, and repairs at the sewage treatment plant cost $149,968 against $90,000. For 2026 the sewer repair budget is $30,000. The Town's note says it was cut from $96.4 thousand at a Council meeting on February 24, 2026.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
+64%running the town office, 2019 to 2024
Grand Valley spent $732K on running the town office in 2019 and $1.2M in 2024. Prices only went up about 18% in that time. Only 6 of 41 similar towns had faster growth here.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 3 sources
+54%police, fire and safety, 2019 to 2024
Grand Valley spent $819K on police, fire and safety in 2019 and $1.3M in 2024. Prices only went up about 18% in that time.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 2 sources
Background that helps make sense of the rest.
September 12, 2025date of the auditor's report on the 2024 statements, the latest we found
On October 7, 2026 the Town's financial statements page lists audited statements up to 2024. The 2024 statements carry an auditor's report dated September 12, 2025, about nine months after the year ended. We did not find 2025 statements.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
$5,686,127total tax levy in the approved 2026 budget, against $5,227,812 in the 2025 budget
The 2026 budget's total tax levy is $5,686,127. The 2025 budget was $5,227,812. The difference, worked out by us, is $458,315 more.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 1 source
+98%parks, arena and library, 2019 to 2024
Grand Valley spent $819K on parks, arena and library in 2019 and $1.6M in 2024. Prices only went up about 18% in that time. Only 4 of 41 similar towns had faster growth here.
| Year | Parks, arena and library | Prices (inflation) |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | +0% | +0% |
| 2020 | −2% | +1% |
| 2021 | −2% | +4% |
| 2022 | +33% | +11% |
| 2023 | +69% | +16% |
| 2024 | +98% | +18% |
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 Grand Valley? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Parks, arena and library: 2019 $819K, 2020 $801K, 2021 $802K, 2022 $1.1M, 2023 $1.4M, 2024 $1.6M.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2024 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
Biggest driver: Arena and buildings, from $546K to $969K.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2024 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
Typical growth among similar towns: 43%. Grand Valley ranks 5th of 42.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2024, 41 similar municipalities · Schedule 40 · archived copy
+63%roads and snow, 2019 to 2024
Grand Valley spent $1.0M on roads and snow in 2019 and $1.7M in 2024. Prices only went up about 18% in that time. Only 3 of 41 similar towns had faster growth here.
| Year | Roads and snow | Prices (inflation) |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | +0% | +0% |
| 2020 | +13% | +1% |
| 2021 | +11% | +4% |
| 2022 | +35% | +11% |
| 2023 | +26% | +16% |
| 2024 | +63% | +18% |
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 Grand Valley? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Roads and snow: 2019 $1.0M, 2020 $1.2M, 2021 $1.1M, 2022 $1.4M, 2023 $1.3M, 2024 $1.7M.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2024 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
Biggest driver: Paved roads, from $382K to $669K.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2024 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
Typical growth among similar towns: 30%. Grand Valley ranks 4th of 42.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2024, 41 similar municipalities · Schedule 40 · archived copy
$3,113,500loan to be issued at 4.53% for 20 years for the Community Centre expansion, per the 2026 budget
The 2025 budget planned to take $3,099,000 out of reserves (savings set aside for later) to build the Community Centre expansion. The Town's 2025 actuals show $99,000 taken from reserves. The 2026 budget instead records a loan of $3,113,500 from Infrastructure Ontario (the province's lending body) over 20 years, after a short-term bank loan in December 2025.
Borrowing turns a one-time cost into payments that last 20 years. Residents should be able to see who makes those payments: the Town's taxes, or the Community Centre Board's yearly levy.
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 Grand Valley? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The line "CC - Capital Expenditure" shows 2025 actuals of $3,464,485 against a 2025 budget of $4,176,000.
2026 Approved Operating and Capital Budget · PDF page 25, line CAP24 (account 1-4-2100-8000)
The line "CC - TX fr Reserve" shows -$99,000 in 2025 actuals against -$3,099,000 in the 2025 budget. For 2026 the Town notes: "Did not include as Expansion Project complete."
2026 Approved Operating and Capital Budget · PDF page 25, line CAP27 (account 1-3-5100-7780)
The Town's note on the loan repayment line says "Debt of $3,113,500 will be issued @ 4.53% for 20 years, with semi-annual payments on April-15 and Oct-15 annually". The 2026 budget for this line is $148,600.
2026 Approved Operating and Capital Budget · PDF page 25, Community Centre - Expansion Project, Provision for Annual Loan Repayments
A separate line budgets $76,800 for the interim loan, with the note "TD Loan taken 2025-Dec-22" and an assumption of 4 months until the Infrastructure Ontario debt is secured.
2026 Approved Operating and Capital Budget · PDF page 4, line OPER88 (account 1-4-2100-9002)
$23,028net cost of the speed camera program in 2025, against a budgeted surplus of $12,000
In 2025 the speed camera program cost far more than the Town planned, and brought in far more ticket revenue than planned. The Town's 2025 actuals show the program ended $23,028 net cost, where the budget expected a $12,000 surplus. The 2026 budget sets cost and revenue equal at $50,000 each, far below 2025.
Speed cameras are meant to slow traffic, not to raise money. Residents can only judge the program if they can see what it costs and what it earns.
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 Grand Valley? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
"ASE - Contracts" shows 2025 actuals of $172,671 against a 2025 budget of $35,000 and a 2026 budget of $50,000. The Town's note says: "Added note: More information to come per the decision at the 2026-Jan-27 Budget Meeting."
2026 Approved Operating and Capital Budget · PDF page 4, line OPER68 (account 1-4-2520-4010)
"ASE - Ticket Revenue" shows -$150,172 in 2025 actuals against -$50,000 in the 2025 budget and -$50,000 in the 2026 budget.
2026 Approved Operating and Capital Budget · PDF page 4, line OPER70 (account 1-3-3725-7375)
The program total, "ADMIN-ASE Total", is $23,028 in 2025 actuals, -$12,000 in the 2025 budget and $0 in the 2026 budget.
2026 Approved Operating and Capital Budget · PDF page 4, line OPER72
$5,000,000pumping station approved December 9, 2025, with $2.5 million from internal borrowing between funds
Development charges are fees builders pay so that growth helps pay for the roads, water and sewers it needs. The Town's budget says the $5 million southeast sewage pumping station will use $2.5 million in developer contributions already collected, and $2.5 million of internal borrowing from other development charge reserve funds, to be repaid with interest. The 2024 audited statements show a parkland fund that is already below zero.
Money collected from builders for one purpose is being lent to another. That is allowed when it is repaid, but it works only if growth keeps coming and the loan is tracked in public.
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 Grand Valley? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The capital line "SE SEWAGE PUMPING STATION" carries the Town's note: "APPROVED CAPITAL - Dec 9, 2025: $5M SE Sewage Pumping Station. Funding Requirements: $2.5M in Developer Contributions already collected, & $2.5M from internal borrowing from other DC Reserve Funds to be repaid with interest." The 2026 amount on the line is -$5,000,000.
2026 Approved Operating and Capital Budget · PDF page 34, line CAP190
Note 8, Deferred Revenue, shows development charges ending 2024 at $5,979,262, park in lieu (cash paid instead of land for parks) at (113,852) and federal gas tax at 70,044, for a total of $5,935,454.
Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2024 · PDF page 15, note 8 (Deferred revenue)
$167,074landfill post-closure liability at the end of 2024, based on a 2004 estimate
The Town carries a $167,074 liability for looking after its closed landfill until 2053. The audited statements say the most recent estimate of the closure and post-closure cost was based on a report prepared as of November 1, 2004.
Costs for monitoring and clean-up change over the 22 years since that 2004 report (by our count). If the real cost is higher, residents inherit it later.
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 Grand Valley? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Note 7 says the "most recent estimate of the landfill closure and post-closure liability was based on a report prepared as of November 1, 2004, which estimated these costs at a net present value of $475,000". It puts the post-closure liability at $167,074 (2023 - $178,891), and says post-closure costs are anticipated to continue to 2053.
Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2024 · PDF page 14, note 7 (Asset retirement obligation)
$94,352spent on sewer repairs in 2025, against a budget of $15,000
Repairs to the sewers cost $94,352 in 2025 against a budget of $15,000, and repairs at the sewage treatment plant cost $149,968 against $90,000. For 2026 the sewer repair budget is $30,000. The Town's note says it was cut from $96.4 thousand at a Council meeting on February 24, 2026.
Sewer costs are paid mostly from user fees, so repairs that cost more than planned can mean higher rates or less set aside for the future.
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 Grand Valley? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
"SEWERS - Repairs & Maintenance" shows $94,352 in 2025 actuals, $15,000 in the 2025 budget and $30,000 in the 2026 budget. The Town's note: "Budget decreased by $66.4k (from $96.4k to $30k) per discussion at the 2026-Feb-24 Council Meeting."
2026 Approved Operating and Capital Budget · PDF page 22, line OPER667 (account 1-4-4550-2400)
"SEWAGE TMENT PLANT - Rep/Mtc" shows $149,968 in 2025 actuals, $90,000 in the 2025 budget and $153,200 in the 2026 budget.
2026 Approved Operating and Capital Budget · PDF page 22, line OPER660 (account 1-4-4520-2400)
"SPC CHGS - Sewer Revenue" shows -$890,786 in 2025 actuals, -$825,000 in the 2025 budget and -$930,000 in the 2026 budget.
2026 Approved Operating and Capital Budget · PDF page 22, line OPER669 (account 1-3-1015-4910)
+64%running the town office, 2019 to 2024
Grand Valley spent $732K on running the town office in 2019 and $1.2M in 2024. Prices only went up about 18% in that time. Only 6 of 41 similar towns had faster growth here.
| Year | Running the town office | Prices (inflation) |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | +0% | +0% |
| 2020 | +10% | +1% |
| 2021 | +21% | +4% |
| 2022 | +21% | +11% |
| 2023 | +34% | +16% |
| 2024 | +64% | +18% |
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 Grand Valley? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Running the town office: 2019 $732K, 2020 $808K, 2021 $888K, 2022 $884K, 2023 $983K, 2024 $1.2M.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2024 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
Biggest driver: Senior management, from $663K to $1.1M.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2024 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
Typical growth among similar towns: 41%. Grand Valley ranks 7th of 42.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2024, 41 similar municipalities · Schedule 40 · archived copy
+54%police, fire and safety, 2019 to 2024
Grand Valley spent $819K on police, fire and safety in 2019 and $1.3M in 2024. Prices only went up about 18% in that time.
| Year | Police, fire and safety | Prices (inflation) |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | +0% | +0% |
| 2020 | +2% | +1% |
| 2021 | +18% | +4% |
| 2022 | +19% | +11% |
| 2023 | +30% | +16% |
| 2024 | +54% | +18% |
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 Grand Valley? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Police, fire and safety: 2019 $819K, 2020 $838K, 2021 $967K, 2022 $972K, 2023 $1.1M, 2024 $1.3M.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2024 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
Biggest driver: Fire department, from $205K to $537K.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2024 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
September 12, 2025date of the auditor's report on the 2024 statements, the latest we found
On October 7, 2026 the Town's financial statements page lists audited statements up to 2024. The 2024 statements carry an auditor's report dated September 12, 2025, about nine months after the year ended. We did not find 2025 statements.
Audited statements are the check on the Town's own budget numbers. Voters go to the polls on October 26, 2026, and would benefit from the latest audited year.
You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.
Speak for Grand Valley? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The Independent Auditor's Report on the 2024 statements is dated September 12, 2025 and gives a clean opinion that the statements "present fairly" the Town's financial position.
Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2024 · PDF pages 3 and 4, Independent Auditor's Report
The 2026 budget, dated March 24, 2026, labels its actuals column "2025 Actuals (Updated 2026-02-17)", and says nothing about the figures being audited.
2026 Approved Operating and Capital Budget · PDF page 2, column headings
$5,686,127total tax levy in the approved 2026 budget, against $5,227,812 in the 2025 budget
The 2026 budget's total tax levy is $5,686,127. The 2025 budget was $5,227,812. The difference, worked out by us, is $458,315 more.
The levy is the amount the Town asks property owners to pay for its own services, apart from the county and school boards.
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 Grand Valley? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The line "NET BUDGET (TOTAL TAX LEVY)" shows $3,903,905 in 2025 actuals, $5,227,812 in the 2025 budget and $5,686,127 in the 2026 budget.
2026 Approved Operating and Capital Budget · PDF page 34, summary lines at the end