Questions · 11 so far
We read Gravenhurst's financial reports and meeting minutes, and compared its numbers with 43 similar Ontario towns. These are the things that stood out.
These are unusual enough that residents deserve a clear answer from council.
+46%roads and snow, 2019 to 2025
Gravenhurst spent $4.3M on roads and snow in 2019 and $6.2M in 2025. Prices only went up about 21% in that time. Only 1 of 43 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.
6.87%Town tax rate increase for 2026, after 4.5% in 2025 and 2.99% in 2024
The Town's own tax rate increase (not the District's or the school boards') was 2.99% for 2024, 4.5% for 2025 and 6.87% for 2026. The money the Town raises from property tax, called the net tax levy, went from $19,347.0 thousand in 2024 to $22,407.0 thousand in 2026. The Town says new capital projects, inflation, a new winter-control reserve and an increase of 3.0 full-time-equivalent staff are behind the 2026 figure, and that it stayed inside a guideline of 8.0%. Compounded, the three yearly rate increases come to about 15.0% (worked out by us).
Found by reading the town's own documents · 5 sources
$14,855,491owed by the Town's capital projects to its own reserve at the end of 2025
The Town says it has not borrowed from outside lenders since 2012 and owed $5,904,667 of that old debt at the end of 2025. It now borrows from its own Community Reinvestment Reserve, a savings fund, to pay for roads, vehicles and buildings. At the end of 2025 it owed that reserve $14,855,491, and the 2026 budget plans $4,369,786 of repayments, up from $2,574,489 in 2022. The Town's table shows the combined amount owed at $20,760,158 at the end of 2025 and $20,783,272 at the end of 2026, so the total does not go down next year.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 4 sources
$9,764,174projected reserve balance at the end of 2026, after commitments, in the Town's budget book
A reserve is money set aside for later, such as replacing a road. The audited statements show the Town's reserves and reserve funds at $20,412,096 at the end of 2023, $19,529,723 at the end of 2024 and $18,927,473 at the end of 2025. The biggest one, the Community Reinvestment fund, went from $10,556,465 to $7,845,857 to $6,801,264. The 2026 budget book shows the reserves after subtracting amounts already promised to approved projects: (10,681,489) at the end of 2025 and a projected (9,764,174) at the end of 2026. The Town says its capital budget has doubled since 2020 and that reserves and internal borrowing pay for 66% of the capital plan.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 4 sources
$100,401tax stabilization reserve at the end of 2025, down from $667,761 at the end of 2023
A tax stabilization reserve is a cushion used so that a bad year does not have to be paid for with a sudden tax increase. The audited statements show it at $667,761 at the end of 2023, $546,261 at the end of 2024 and $100,401 at the end of 2025. The 2026 budget book shows the audited balance at December 31, 2024 as (132,174), not $546,261, and plans to use $0 from the reserve in 2026. The book's total for all reserves at that date is (19,136,530); the audited statements give 19,529,723. The difference is $393,193 (worked out by us).
Found by reading the town's own documents · 4 sources
$131,332corporate legal services spending in 2024, against a budget of $75,000
The Town's corporate legal services line paid for $50,676 in 2022 and $51,332 in 2023, then $131,332 in 2024. The 2024 budget for it was $75,000. Spending to October 21, 2025 was $60,092 against a 2025 budget of $75,000, and the 2026 budget stays at $75,000. The Town says the line covers a mix of issues including the planning appeals tribunal and corporate governance, plus a provision for the Integrity Commissioner. The 2026 budget book says the Town managed an Integrity Commissioner transition and various legal tribunal files in 2025.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 4 sources
+56%police, fire and safety, 2019 to 2025
Gravenhurst spent $2.1M on police, fire and safety in 2019 and $3.3M in 2025. Prices only went up about 21% in that time.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 2 sources
Background that helps make sense of the rest.
$9,190,450surplus in 2025, against a budgeted $802,809
A surplus is what is left when a year's revenue is more than its spending. The audited 2025 statements show "Other" revenue of $9,151,058 against a budget of $1,342,000. The Town's own note breaks that figure down. It includes $4,551,800 of buildings and other capital assets that someone else gave to the Town (these are not cash), $2,976,187 of investment income, and $1,219,854 moved from restricted reserves. The Town also explains that the budget in the statements is rebuilt from a different kind of budget, so some of the gap is accounting. The Town's own count of its day-to-day operating surplus is much smaller: $708,712 at the end of 2025, after a deficit of $381,027 the year before.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 5 sources
$1,000,000pledged in 2023; the reserve holds $686,895 at the end of 2025
In 2023 the Town committed $1,000,000 to the Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare two-hospital model of care. Note 12 of the 2025 statements says the Town has transferred a total of $605,616 into a Health Services Reserve Fund. The same statements show that reserve at $686,895 at the end of 2025. The 2026 budget book lists no contribution to it, only $15,140 of projected revenue, which would take it to $620,756. The Town says the commitment will not be fulfilled until construction is to commence.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
$319,502ice storm cost shown to October 21, 2025, after $235,054 for a snow event in 2024
The 2026 budget book lists two storm costs as their own lines: "Snow Event 2024" at $235,054 and "Ice Storm 2025" at $319,502 (the 2025 figure is spending to October 21, 2025). Together that is $554,556 (worked out by us). The Town says it created a Winter Control Maintenance Reserve to steady costs from winter surprises and budgets $107,000 into it for 2026.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
$225per home on snow ploughing, 2025
Gravenhurst spent about $225 per home on snow ploughing in 2025. The typical similar town spent $139. Only 6 of 43 similar towns spent more.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 1 source
+46%roads and snow, 2019 to 2025
Gravenhurst spent $4.3M on roads and snow in 2019 and $6.2M in 2025. Prices only went up about 21% in that time. Only 1 of 43 similar towns had faster growth here.
| Year | Roads and snow | Prices (inflation) |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | +0% | +0% |
| 2020 | −20% | +1% |
| 2021 | −15% | +4% |
| 2022 | −1% | +11% |
| 2023 | +12% | +16% |
| 2024 | +28% | +18% |
| 2025 | +46% | +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 Gravenhurst? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Roads and snow: 2019 $4.3M, 2020 $3.4M, 2021 $3.6M, 2022 $4.2M, 2023 $4.8M, 2024 $5.5M, 2025 $6.2M.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2025 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
Biggest driver: Snow ploughing, from $931K to $2.0M.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2025 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
Typical growth among similar towns: 42%. Gravenhurst ranks 2nd of 44.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2025, 43 similar municipalities · Schedule 40 · archived copy
6.87%Town tax rate increase for 2026, after 4.5% in 2025 and 2.99% in 2024
The Town's own tax rate increase (not the District's or the school boards') was 2.99% for 2024, 4.5% for 2025 and 6.87% for 2026. The money the Town raises from property tax, called the net tax levy, went from $19,347.0 thousand in 2024 to $22,407.0 thousand in 2026. The Town says new capital projects, inflation, a new winter-control reserve and an increase of 3.0 full-time-equivalent staff are behind the 2026 figure, and that it stayed inside a guideline of 8.0%. Compounded, the three yearly rate increases come to about 15.0% (worked out by us).
Roads, buildings and equipment wear out, and the Town says it has been catching up on years of low spending. Residents still pay the increase, and the 2026 budget leaves out items such as local transit and downtown washrooms, so more pressure is likely.
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 Gravenhurst? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Summary of the 2024 approved operating budget: "Net Tax Levy" 18,426.8 for 2023 and 19,347.0 for 2024; "2024 Tax Rate Increase" 2.99%; "Less: Increase in Assessment" 2.0% ("All numbers in $ 000's").
Approved 2024 Operating Budget, Capital Budget and Multi-Year Plan · PDF page 6, Corporate Overview, operating budget summary table
Summary of the 2025 operating budget: "Net Tax Levy" 19,347.0 for 2024 and 20,662.9 for 2025; "2025 Tax Rate Increase" 4.5%; "Less: Increase in Assessment" 2.3%. The front page says the "New Net 2025 Approved Operating Budget $20,591,869 (4.6% increase over 2024)".
Approved 2025 Operating Budget and Capital & Multi-Year Plan · PDF page 1 (changes to the recommended budget) and PDF page 6 (summary table)
Summary of the 2026 operating budget: "Net Tax Levy" 20,676.9 for the 2025 budget and 22,407.0 for 2026; "Less: Increase in Assessment" 1.5%; "2026 Tax Rate Increase" 6.87%. The front page says "2026 Approved Operating Budget $22,406,928 (6.87% increase over 2025)".
Approved 2026 Operating Budget, Capital Budget and Multi-Year Plan · PDF page 1 (changes to the recommended budget) and PDF page 6 (summary table)
The Town's explanation: "Departments worked to stay within the guideline of 8.0% in light of new capital projects, inflationary cost pressures, prior Council directives and the introduction of a Winter Control Reserve Fund", and "Front-ended capital projects in 2025 and 2026, coupled with inflationary pressures, placed significant strain on the Town's capital and multi-year plan." Staffing in the same book goes from 88.1 to 91.1 full-time equivalents.
Approved 2026 Operating Budget, Capital Budget and Multi-Year Plan · PDF page 25 (Summarizing the Operating Budget) and PDF page 26 (Staffing by Department)
Note 5: the Town collected and passed on 7,241,332 for the school boards and 19,987,493 for the District of Muskoka in 2025, a total of 27,228,825. The Town's own "Property taxes" revenue for 2025 was 21,392,894.
Town of Gravenhurst, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 · PDF page 16 (printed page 14), Note 5, and PDF page 7 (statement of operations)
$14,855,491owed by the Town's capital projects to its own reserve at the end of 2025
The Town says it has not borrowed from outside lenders since 2012 and owed $5,904,667 of that old debt at the end of 2025. It now borrows from its own Community Reinvestment Reserve, a savings fund, to pay for roads, vehicles and buildings. At the end of 2025 it owed that reserve $14,855,491, and the 2026 budget plans $4,369,786 of repayments, up from $2,574,489 in 2022. The Town's table shows the combined amount owed at $20,760,158 at the end of 2025 and $20,783,272 at the end of 2026, so the total does not go down next year.
Borrowing from yourself avoids bank interest and fees, and the Town says the loans carry interest at market rates. But money that is lent out cannot be used for other things, and the repayments come out of the yearly tax levy. The bigger the internal debt, the less room the reserve has to absorb a surprise.
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 Gravenhurst? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The records that would answer this can be requested: Schedule of loans from the Community Reinvestment Reserve, with wording you can copy.
Table 2: "Total External Financing" balance at end of 2025 5,904,667, 2026 payments 542,849. "Total Internal Financing" (borrowing from the Community Reinvestment Reserve) 32,052,568 borrowed, balance at end of 2025 14,855,491, 2026 payments 4,369,786, balance at end of 2026 15,197,310. "Total Debenture and Internal Financing" 20,760,158 at the end of 2025 and 20,783,272 at the end of 2026. The book says: "Since 2012 the Town has not borrowed funds externally and there is no immediate plan to do so in the current five-year multi-year plan."
Approved 2026 Operating Budget, Capital Budget and Multi-Year Plan · PDF page 157 (printed page 98), Corporate Administration, Table 2
Corporate Administration table: "Internal Financing" 2,574,489 (2022), 2,661,989 (2023), 2,935,379 (2024), 3,749,900 (2025 budget), 4,369,786 (2026 budget), a change of 619,886. "External Financing" 1,353,141 (2022), 1,350,797 (2023), 1,333,556 (2024), 542,849 (2025 budget), 542,849 (2026 budget).
Approved 2026 Operating Budget, Capital Budget and Multi-Year Plan · PDF pages 161 and 162 (printed pages 102 and 103), Corporate Administration
The Town's explanation: "The Community Reinvestment Reserve Fund was set up as a source of financing for Town capital investments with the expectation that any funds borrowed will be reimbursed along with interest at market rates." A long-term goal listed in the same book is to "Pay down debt and replace external borrowing with internal borrowing from the Community Reinvestment Reserve in order to create capacity for future significant capital projects".
Approved 2026 Operating Budget, Capital Budget and Multi-Year Plan · PDF page 156 (printed page 97, Internal Financing) and PDF page 33 (Long Term Capital Goals)
Supplementary Unaudited Schedule of Internal Financing, 2025: "The loans from reserves are interest bearing and have specific terms of repayment." Total amount borrowed 30,498,835; balance due at the end of 2025 14,855,490; at the end of 2024 12,858,448. The same statements show external debt principal payments of 306,827 in 2025 and 4,582,363 in 2024 (Note 8(c)).
Town of Gravenhurst, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 · PDF pages 27 and 28 (Supplementary Unaudited Schedule of Internal Financing) and PDF page 18 (Note 8(c))
$9,764,174projected reserve balance at the end of 2026, after commitments, in the Town's budget book
A reserve is money set aside for later, such as replacing a road. The audited statements show the Town's reserves and reserve funds at $20,412,096 at the end of 2023, $19,529,723 at the end of 2024 and $18,927,473 at the end of 2025. The biggest one, the Community Reinvestment fund, went from $10,556,465 to $7,845,857 to $6,801,264. The 2026 budget book shows the reserves after subtracting amounts already promised to approved projects: (10,681,489) at the end of 2025 and a projected (9,764,174) at the end of 2026. The Town says its capital budget has doubled since 2020 and that reserves and internal borrowing pay for 66% of the capital plan.
Spending reserves on roads and buildings is what they are for. The question is the pace. The Town's own model says that if contributions slip to 2% a year, reserves fall by about 20% by 2035 and new borrowing of about $4 million is needed. The 2026 budget book says overall contributions to reserves were adjusted by -1.5% to moderate the effect on the tax 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 Gravenhurst? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Supplementary Unaudited Schedule of Surplus: "TOTAL RESERVES AND RESERVE FUNDS" 19,529,723 (2024) and 20,412,096 (2023). "Community Reinvestment" 7,845,857 (2024) and 10,556,465 (2023).
Town of Gravenhurst, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2024 · PDF page 25 (printed page 23), Supplementary Unaudited Schedule of Surplus
Supplementary Unaudited Schedule of Surplus: "TOTAL RESERVES AND RESERVE FUNDS" 18,927,473 (2025) and 19,529,723 (2024). "Community Reinvestment" 6,801,264 (2025) and 7,845,857 (2024).
Town of Gravenhurst, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 · PDF page 26 (printed page 24), Supplementary Unaudited Schedule of Surplus
Continuity of balances, reserves and reserve funds, total row: audited balance at December 31, 2024 (19,136,530); 2025 revenues/contributions (8,182,150); outstanding commitments against balances 16,637,192; adjusted balance at December 31, 2025 (10,681,489); 2026 projected revenue (10,044,685); 2026 budgeted expenditures 10,962,000; projected balance at December 31, 2026 (9,764,174). The schedule was prepared on October 28, 2025.
Approved 2026 Operating Budget, Capital Budget and Multi-Year Plan · PDF pages 164 and 165 (printed pages 105 and 106), Reserves, Reserve Funds and Endowments
The Town's explanation of the capital plan: "Since 2020 the Town Capital Budget has doubled"; reserves and internal borrowing make up 66% of capital plan funding. Its sensitivity analysis says: "2% Scenario: Consolidated reserves decline by approximately 20% by 2035; new debt (~$4 million) required to fund major projects." and "3% Scenario: Consolidated reserves increase by approximately 56% by 2035; no new debt required to deliver the same capital program." Overall contributions to reserves "were adjusted by -1.5% in 2026".
Approved 2026 Operating Budget, Capital Budget and Multi-Year Plan · PDF page 25 (Summarizing the Operating Budget), PDF page 40 (A Progressive Community Invests in Itself) and PDF page 42 (Sensitivity Analysis)
$100,401tax stabilization reserve at the end of 2025, down from $667,761 at the end of 2023
A tax stabilization reserve is a cushion used so that a bad year does not have to be paid for with a sudden tax increase. The audited statements show it at $667,761 at the end of 2023, $546,261 at the end of 2024 and $100,401 at the end of 2025. The 2026 budget book shows the audited balance at December 31, 2024 as (132,174), not $546,261, and plans to use $0 from the reserve in 2026. The book's total for all reserves at that date is (19,136,530); the audited statements give 19,529,723. The difference is $393,193 (worked out by us).
If the cushion is nearly gone, an unexpected cost has to come from somewhere else, such as other reserves or the tax rate. Two documents from the same Town giving different balances for the same date also make it hard for a reader to trust either one.
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 Gravenhurst? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The records that would answer this can be requested: Reconciliation of reserve balances at December 31, 2024, with wording you can copy.
Supplementary Unaudited Schedule of Surplus: "Tax Stabilization" 546,261 (2024) and 667,761 (2023); "Employee Benefit" 41,341 (2024). "TOTAL RESERVES AND RESERVE FUNDS" 19,529,723 (2024).
Town of Gravenhurst, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2024 · PDF page 25 (printed page 23), Supplementary Unaudited Schedule of Surplus
Supplementary Unaudited Schedule of Surplus: "Tax Stabilization" 100,401 (2025) and 546,261 (2024).
Town of Gravenhurst, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 · PDF page 26 (printed page 24), Supplementary Unaudited Schedule of Surplus
Continuity of balances: the "Tax Stabilization" row reads (132,174), 128,973, (3,201), 0, (3,201) under the headings audited balance at December 31, 2024, outstanding commitments, adjusted balance at December 31, 2025, 2026 budgeted expenditures and projected balance at December 31, 2026. The total row for audited balance at December 31, 2024 is (19,136,530). A note says "Reserve activity and balances are subject to finalization of the audited financial statements."
Approved 2026 Operating Budget, Capital Budget and Multi-Year Plan · PDF pages 164 and 165 (printed pages 105 and 106), Reserves, Reserve Funds and Endowments
Corporate Administration, explanation of changes: "Transfers from Reserves: Decrease of $97,200" with "$0 being utilized from the Tax Stabilization in the 2026 Budget".
Approved 2026 Operating Budget, Capital Budget and Multi-Year Plan · PDF page 159 (printed page 100), Corporate Administration, explanation of significant changes
$131,332corporate legal services spending in 2024, against a budget of $75,000
The Town's corporate legal services line paid for $50,676 in 2022 and $51,332 in 2023, then $131,332 in 2024. The 2024 budget for it was $75,000. Spending to October 21, 2025 was $60,092 against a 2025 budget of $75,000, and the 2026 budget stays at $75,000. The Town says the line covers a mix of issues including the planning appeals tribunal and corporate governance, plus a provision for the Integrity Commissioner. The 2026 budget book says the Town managed an Integrity Commissioner transition and various legal tribunal files in 2025.
Legal costs are hard to predict and a single case can move them a lot. A line that was about 75% over budget in 2024 (worked out by us) and is budgeted at the same level again raises a fair question about whether the budget is realistic. The books do not split the line by purpose.
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 Gravenhurst? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The records that would answer this can be requested: Corporate legal spending by kind of matter, 2022 to 2025, with wording you can copy.
Corporate Administration table, "Legal Services": 50,676 (2022 actual), 51,332 (2023 actual), 131,332 (2024 actual), 60,092 (2025 to October 21, 2025), 75,000 (2025 budget), 75,000 (2026 budget).
Approved 2026 Operating Budget, Capital Budget and Multi-Year Plan · PDF page 161 (printed page 102), Corporate Administration
Corporate Administration table in the 2025 budget, "Legal Services": 93,331 (2021), 50,676 (2022), 51,332 (2023), 101,218 (2024 to October 21, 2024), 75,000 (2024 budget), 75,000 (2025).
Approved 2025 Operating Budget and Capital & Multi-Year Plan · PDF page 165, Corporate Administration table
The Town's description: "Legal Services: Corporate legal expenses related to a cross-section of issues including the Local Planning Appeals Tribunal (LPAT) and corporate governance. This budget also includes a provision for the activities of the Integrity Commissioner". The 2025 year in summary lists "Managed Integrity Commissioner transition and various legal tribunal files".
Approved 2026 Operating Budget, Capital Budget and Multi-Year Plan · PDF page 154 (printed page 95, Legal Services) and PDF page 13 (2025 The Year In Summary, continued)
Legislative Services, 2025 accomplishments: "Through the Office of the Integrity Commissioner, facilitated two formal Code of Conduct/Conflict of interest complaints, upon receipt of the resignation of the Integrity Commissioner, appointed an Interim Integrity Commissioner".
Approved 2026 Operating Budget, Capital Budget and Multi-Year Plan · PDF page 100 (printed page 41), Legislative Services, 2025 accomplishments
+56%police, fire and safety, 2019 to 2025
Gravenhurst spent $2.1M on police, fire and safety in 2019 and $3.3M in 2025. Prices only went up about 21% in that time.
| Year | Police, fire and safety | Prices (inflation) |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | +0% | +0% |
| 2020 | +4% | +1% |
| 2021 | +4% | +4% |
| 2022 | +11% | +11% |
| 2023 | +20% | +16% |
| 2024 | +80% | +18% |
| 2025 | +56% | +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 Gravenhurst? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Police, fire and safety: 2019 $2.1M, 2020 $2.2M, 2021 $2.2M, 2022 $2.3M, 2023 $2.6M, 2024 $3.8M, 2025 $3.3M.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2025 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
Biggest driver: Fire department, from $1.2M to $1.7M.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2025 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
$9,190,450surplus in 2025, against a budgeted $802,809
A surplus is what is left when a year's revenue is more than its spending. The audited 2025 statements show "Other" revenue of $9,151,058 against a budget of $1,342,000. The Town's own note breaks that figure down. It includes $4,551,800 of buildings and other capital assets that someone else gave to the Town (these are not cash), $2,976,187 of investment income, and $1,219,854 moved from restricted reserves. The Town also explains that the budget in the statements is rebuilt from a different kind of budget, so some of the gap is accounting. The Town's own count of its day-to-day operating surplus is much smaller: $708,712 at the end of 2025, after a deficit of $381,027 the year before.
A surplus can look like money in the bank, but here most of it is gifted assets and restricted money that cannot be spent on ordinary services. The useful number is the operating surplus. The statements do not say which buildings were gifted or what they will cost to run.
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 Gravenhurst? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The records that would answer this can be requested: Assets recorded as contributed in 2025, with wording you can copy.
Statement of operations, 2025: "ANNUAL SURPLUS" budget 802,809, actual 9,190,450 (2024 actual 3,072,246). "Other" revenue budget 1,342,000, actual 9,151,058 (2024 actual 3,361,662). "TOTAL REVENUE" budget 28,396,015, actual 38,952,400. "TOTAL EXPENSES" budget 27,593,206, actual 29,761,950.
Town of Gravenhurst, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 · PDF page 7 (printed page 5), Consolidated Statement of Operations and Accumulated Surplus
Note 14, Other income, 2025: "Contributed tangible capital assets" 4,551,800; "Investment income" 2,976,187 (2024: 2,220,107); "Transfers from (to) obligatory reserves" 1,219,854; "Gain (loss) on sale of tangible capital assets" (712,609). Total 9,151,058.
Town of Gravenhurst, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 · PDF page 20 (printed page 18), Note 14, Other Income
Note 13(a): "During the year $4,551,800 (2024 $nil) such contributions were recorded. 2025 contributions consisted primarily of buildings." The note does not say which buildings.
Town of Gravenhurst, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 · PDF page 19 (printed page 17), Note 13(a), Contributed tangible capital assets
Note 16: "The unaudited budget adopted for the current year was prepared on a fund basis, and has been amended to conform with the accounting and reporting standards adopted for the current year actual results." The supplementary schedule of surplus lists "General Operating Surplus(Deficit)" of 708,712 for 2025 and (381,027) for 2024.
Town of Gravenhurst, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 · PDF page 24 (Note 16) and PDF page 26 (Supplementary Unaudited Schedule of Surplus)
Corporate Administration table, "Investment Income": actuals (264,518) for 2022, (547,019) for 2023, (443,028) for 2024; 2025 to October 21, 2025 (1,531,736); 2025 budget (425,000); 2026 budget (375,000). The book describes the line as "Interest earned on funds held in Town bank accounts allocated to operations as per existing policy" and says "Investment income is projected to decline in 2026 in response to anticipated interest rate reductions."
Approved 2026 Operating Budget, Capital Budget and Multi-Year Plan · PDF pages 156 and 159 (printed pages 97 and 100), and PDF page 161 (printed page 102), Corporate Administration
$1,000,000pledged in 2023; the reserve holds $686,895 at the end of 2025
In 2023 the Town committed $1,000,000 to the Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare two-hospital model of care. Note 12 of the 2025 statements says the Town has transferred a total of $605,616 into a Health Services Reserve Fund. The same statements show that reserve at $686,895 at the end of 2025. The 2026 budget book lists no contribution to it, only $15,140 of projected revenue, which would take it to $620,756. The Town says the commitment will not be fulfilled until construction is to commence.
A promise of this size is a future bill. Residents can ask whether the money will be there when it is due, and whether the note's $605,616 is out of date.
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 Gravenhurst? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Note 12: "During 2023, the Town entered into a funding commitment of $1,000,000 to the Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare two-hospital model of care. The Town has transferred a total of $605,616 into a Health Services Reserve Fund. The financial commitment will not be fulfilled until such time as construction is to commence."
Town of Gravenhurst, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 · PDF page 19 (printed page 17), Note 12, Commitments
Supplementary Unaudited Schedule of Surplus: "Health Services" 686,895 (2025) and 605,616 (2024).
Town of Gravenhurst, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 · PDF page 26 (printed page 24), Supplementary Unaudited Schedule of Surplus
Continuity of balances, "Health Services": audited balance at December 31, 2024 (605,616); 2026 projected revenue (15,140); projected balance at December 31, 2026 (620,756). Table 1 of the 2026 contributions to reserves, total 4,379,540, has no line for health services.
Approved 2026 Operating Budget, Capital Budget and Multi-Year Plan · PDF page 164 (printed page 105) and PDF page 155 (printed page 96, Table 1)
$319,502ice storm cost shown to October 21, 2025, after $235,054 for a snow event in 2024
The 2026 budget book lists two storm costs as their own lines: "Snow Event 2024" at $235,054 and "Ice Storm 2025" at $319,502 (the 2025 figure is spending to October 21, 2025). Together that is $554,556 (worked out by us). The Town says it created a Winter Control Maintenance Reserve to steady costs from winter surprises and budgets $107,000 into it for 2026.
Storm bills arrive without warning. The book shows that the Town now sets money aside, but $107,000 is small next to the two storm bills. It is fair to ask where the money came from and whether other help was sought.
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Corporate Administration table, below "External Financing": "Snow Event 2024" 235,054 (2024 column) and "Ice Storm 2025" 319,502 (2025 to October 21, 2025 column).
Approved 2026 Operating Budget, Capital Budget and Multi-Year Plan · PDF page 162 (printed page 103), Corporate Administration
The Town's explanation: "Separately, the Town established a Winter Control Maintenance Reserve to stabilize operating costs from winter volatility." Table 1, contributions to reserves in the 2026 budget: "Winter Control Maintenance" 107,000, "Contingency funding for winter".
Approved 2026 Operating Budget, Capital Budget and Multi-Year Plan · PDF page 158 (printed page 99, Contribution to Reserves) and PDF page 155 (printed page 96, Table 1)
$225per home on snow ploughing, 2025
Gravenhurst spent about $225 per home on snow ploughing in 2025. The typical similar town spent $139. Only 6 of 43 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 Gravenhurst? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Snow ploughing per home: Gravenhurst $225; typical similar town $139; ranked 7th highest of 44.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2025, 43 similar municipalities · Schedule 40 and Schedule 2 · archived copy