Questions · 10 so far
We read Greater Madawaska's financial reports and meeting minutes, and compared its numbers with 28 similar Ontario towns. These are the things that stood out.
These are unusual enough that residents deserve a clear answer from council.
$1.7Min savings at the end of 2025
Towns keep savings (called reserves) to pay for new trucks, roof repairs and surprises. Greater Madawaska had $1.7M saved at the end of 2025, down from $2.0M in 2019. That is 26% of one year's spending. Only 2 of 28 similar towns had less, compared with what they spend.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 2 sources
There may well be a good reason. It is still worth asking what it is.
$4,719,601long-term debt at December 31, 2025, up from $3,332,861 a year earlier
Long-term debt is money the Township has borrowed and is paying back over many years. It stood at $3,332,861 at the end of 2024 and $4,719,601 at the end of 2025, after two new 20-year loans. The Township's 2026 budget sets aside $728,173 for debt payments. In answers to a candidate it published a list of possible new borrowing, including $3.05M in 2030 and $3.28M in 2031, and says these are planning assumptions, not approved debt. The increase we quote ($1,386,740) is worked out by us from the two year-end balances.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 4 sources
$1,533,868yearly funding gap in the Asset Management Plan
The Township's Asset Management Plan says it needs about $2,300,503 a year to replace its roads, buildings, vehicles and equipment as they wear out, and is setting aside about $766,635, a gap of $1,533,868. Its answer is to raise taxes about 3% a year for ten years for this purpose. In September 2026 the Treasurer told Council that the cost pressures she listed for 2027 would, on their own, mean a 9.48% rise, and that staff would work to bring it to a target of 4.72% to 5.32%.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 4 sources
$274,523drop in reserves and reserve funds in 2025, to $1,661,185
Reserves are savings set aside for later costs. The audited statements show them falling from $1,935,708 to $1,661,185 in 2025, because $889,456 was moved out to buy capital assets. Separately, the Township's election page gives a different total for each year: $2,083,876 for 2024 and $1,752,968 for 2025. By our working, each difference is within $2 of the balance of obligatory reserve funds in note 7 of the statements ($148,169 and $91,785). The 2023 totals in the two places match, so the two lists may count different things in different years. We do not know the Township's reason.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
$970,239land added to the Township's assets in 2025, which the Township links in part to the Peaks Village lots
The Township says that a developer did not finish the Peaks Village subdivision, so it took eight lots that had been given as security and recorded them as land it owns. Land additions in the 2025 statements were $970,239. The Township says this was not money spent and that it also produced extra accounting revenue, but its answers do not give the value of the lots or say how it was set. The 2027 capital list the Treasurer showed Council on September 17, 2026 has a new line, "Peaks Village", for $330,000.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
+96%parks, arena and library, 2019 to 2025
Greater Madawaska spent $405K on parks, arena and library in 2019 and $795K in 2025. Prices only went up about 21% in that time. Only 5 of 28 similar towns had faster growth here.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 3 sources
Background that helps make sense of the rest.
$7,622,505actual 2025 expenses in the audited statements, against a budget column of $5,858,750
The 2025 statements show expenses of $7,622,505 against a budget column of $5,858,750. The statements' budget column shows no amortization (the yearly wear-and-tear charge on assets, which is an accounting entry, not a payment), while actual amortization was $1,337,317. The Township says the gap should not be called an overrun. By our working, amortization explains about $1.34 million of the roughly $1.76 million gap, and revenue was also higher than budget by more than $1.3 million, partly because of the Peaks Village lots. The Township does not publish a line-by-line list showing the rest.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
$1,259,775estimated landfill closure and post-closure liability, against a $340,000 reserve
A landfill has to be capped and watched for years after it closes. The statements count the expected cost, in today's money, at $1,259,775. The reserve set aside for it is $340,000. By our working the difference is $919,775. The statements call it an amount "to be recovered" from taxpayers in later years.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
2 claimsdisclosed in the audited 2025 statements, outcomes not known
The 2025 statements say the Township has been named in two claims and the outcomes cannot be known yet. The Township told a candidate that both are being handled through its insurance and its own cost would generally be limited to the deductible, and that it can say no more while they are ongoing.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
$122,407moved to a reserve in 2025 from the policing budget, according to the Township
The 2025 budget set aside $863,385 for policing. Actual OPP costs were $730,596 and the new police board cost $19,097. The Township says the Province gave temporary relief on OPP bills, so Council moved the $122,407 difference into a reserve for future policing increases. The reserve schedule shows that reserve rising from $200,000 to $322,407. The Township has explained this. What remains open is how that reserve will be used.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
$1.7Min savings at the end of 2025
Towns keep savings (called reserves) to pay for new trucks, roof repairs and surprises. Greater Madawaska had $1.7M saved at the end of 2025, down from $2.0M in 2019. That is 26% of one year's spending. Only 2 of 28 similar towns had less, compared with what they spend.
| Year | Savings (reserves) |
|---|---|
| 2019 | $2.0M |
| 2020 | $2.6M |
| 2021 | $2.3M |
| 2022 | $1.9M |
| 2023 | $1.6M |
| 2024 | $1.9M |
| 2025 | $1.7M |
With little saved, a broken bridge or a storm has to be paid for with a sudden tax increase or a loan. Low savings can also mean past budgets were balanced by spending savings instead of facing the real 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 Greater Madawaska? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Savings (reserves and reserve funds): 2019 $2.0M, 2020 $2.6M, 2021 $2.3M, 2022 $1.9M, 2023 $1.6M, 2024 $1.9M, 2025 $1.7M.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2025 · Schedule 70, line 6420 · archived copy
Typical among similar towns: savings equal to 78% of a year's spending. Greater Madawaska: 26%.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2025, 28 similar municipalities · Schedules 40 and 70 · archived copy
$4,719,601long-term debt at December 31, 2025, up from $3,332,861 a year earlier
Long-term debt is money the Township has borrowed and is paying back over many years. It stood at $3,332,861 at the end of 2024 and $4,719,601 at the end of 2025, after two new 20-year loans. The Township's 2026 budget sets aside $728,173 for debt payments. In answers to a candidate it published a list of possible new borrowing, including $3.05M in 2030 and $3.28M in 2031, and says these are planning assumptions, not approved debt. The increase we quote ($1,386,740) is worked out by us from the two year-end balances.
Debt payments come out of the property tax every year before anything else. The more is borrowed now, the less room there is 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 Greater Madawaska? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Note 5: "The balance of long-term debt of $4,719,601 (2024 - $3,332,861)". Two debentures are new in 2025: "interest at 4.40%, $20,657 plus interest payable semi-annually, maturing July 2045" ($826,261) and "interest at 4.38%, $25,808 ... maturing March 2046" ($1,032,315). Payments due in 2026: principal $529,739, interest $195,678, total $725,417. Note 6: "These payments are within the annual debt repayment limit as prescribed by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing under Ontario Regulation 403/02."
Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 · notes 5 and 6, PDF page 16 (printed page 13)
Question 27 (what long-term debt will be at December 31, 2026): the Township lists "potential new borrowing", with "Potential New Debt" of $3.05M in 2030 and $3.28M in 2031, and says "These amounts are long-term planning assumptions, not approved or issued debt." It also says its Debt Management Policy sets "a conservative internal debt-servicing target of approximately 15% of own-source revenues".
Township elections page, Candidate Questions and Answers · Candidate Questions and Answers, question 27 and its two tables
Schedule A, operating budget: "Capital- Debt Payments" revenues 203,291, expenses 728,173.
By-Law 67-2025, 2026 Operating and Capital Budget Estimates · Schedule A, PDF page 2
Key 2027 cost pressures: "Debenture Payments" $46,179, 8.4%, "Scheduled increase in debt servicing costs based on 10 year financial strategy".
2027 Budget Directive, presentation of September 17, 2026 · Key 2027 Cost Pressures table, PDF page 9
$1,533,868yearly funding gap in the Asset Management Plan
The Township's Asset Management Plan says it needs about $2,300,503 a year to replace its roads, buildings, vehicles and equipment as they wear out, and is setting aside about $766,635, a gap of $1,533,868. Its answer is to raise taxes about 3% a year for ten years for this purpose. In September 2026 the Treasurer told Council that the cost pressures she listed for 2027 would, on their own, mean a 9.48% rise, and that staff would work to bring it to a target of 4.72% to 5.32%.
Residents pay for the gap in one of two ways: higher taxes now, or worn-out roads and buildings later. The plan only works if the tax increase it assumes can actually be held.
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 Greater Madawaska? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
"The average annual investment requirement for the above categories is $2,300,503. Annual revenue currently allocated to these assets for capital purposes is $766,635, leaving an annual deficit of $1,533,868." The same page says these assets "are currently funded at 33.3% of their long-term requirements." The funding counted includes OCIF of 100,000, which the plan says "may be discontinued in future years" (page 97).
Asset Management Plan 2025 · section 10.3.1, PDF page 101 (printed page 98); gap also on PDF page 100
Key statistics: "Actual Reinvestment Rate 1.38%", "Target Reinvestment Rate 4.13%", "Annual capital infrastructure deficit $1.5 million", "Average Annual Tax Change 3.0%".
Asset Management Plan 2025 · Key Statistics, PDF page 3
"Key Pressures alone result in a 9.48% tax rate increase. However, the budget directive will aim to have staff will work to bring this down to the targeted 4.72% to 5.32% through finding revenue sources and cost saving efficiencies." Contribution to Reserves: $148,680, 28.6%. The slide adds that these pressures "do not represent the total change to the municipal budget."
2027 Budget Directive, presentation of September 17, 2026 · Key 2027 Cost Pressures slide, PDF page 9
Question 6 table, "Contribution to Reserve Included in Municipal Levy": 2024 $312,646, 2025 $572,839, 2026 $769,226.
Township elections page, Candidate Questions and Answers · Candidate Questions and Answers, question 6, second table
$274,523drop in reserves and reserve funds in 2025, to $1,661,185
Reserves are savings set aside for later costs. The audited statements show them falling from $1,935,708 to $1,661,185 in 2025, because $889,456 was moved out to buy capital assets. Separately, the Township's election page gives a different total for each year: $2,083,876 for 2024 and $1,752,968 for 2025. By our working, each difference is within $2 of the balance of obligatory reserve funds in note 7 of the statements ($148,169 and $91,785). The 2023 totals in the two places match, so the two lists may count different things in different years. We do not know the Township's reason.
Reserves are what the Township would use first for a big repair or a lawsuit. Two different totals for the same date make it hard to tell how much is really set aside.
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 Greater Madawaska? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Schedule of reserves and reserve funds, 2025: "To tangible capital acquisitions" 889,456 (2024: 14,795); "Changes in reserves and reserve funds balance" (274,523); "Reserves and reserve funds at end of year" $1,661,185, against $1,935,708 the year before. "Capital works" 494,567 (2024: 647,732). "Total reserves" $1,661,185.
Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 · Schedule of Reserves and Reserve Funds, PDF page 22 (printed page 19)
Note 7: "Deferred revenue - obligatory reserve funds" total $91,785 (2024: $148,169).
Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 · note 7, PDF page 17 (printed page 14)
Question 7, "Total Ending Reserves and Reserve Funds": 2023 $1,608,499, 2024 $2,083,876, 2025 $1,752,968, 2026 $1,747,108.
Township elections page, Candidate Questions and Answers · Candidate Questions and Answers, question 7, reserve trend table
$970,239land added to the Township's assets in 2025, which the Township links in part to the Peaks Village lots
The Township says that a developer did not finish the Peaks Village subdivision, so it took eight lots that had been given as security and recorded them as land it owns. Land additions in the 2025 statements were $970,239. The Township says this was not money spent and that it also produced extra accounting revenue, but its answers do not give the value of the lots or say how it was set. The 2027 capital list the Treasurer showed Council on September 17, 2026 has a new line, "Peaks Village", for $330,000.
A land value on the books can look like money in the bank without being cash. Residents should know what the lots are worth, and whether finishing the roads will fall on taxpayers or on the security the Township holds.
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 Greater Madawaska? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The records that would answer this can be requested: Valuation of the Peaks Village lots recorded in 2025, with wording you can copy.
Schedule of tangible capital assets, 2025, column "Land": additions 970,239; balance at end of year 1,567,740, against 597,501 at the start of the year.
Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 · Schedule of Tangible Capital Assets, PDF page 21 (printed page 18)
Question 14: the land purchase "relates to the Peaks Village subdivision and the purchase of land for future community services". The developer "did not complete the subdivision" and the Township "took ownership of eight (8) subdivision lots provided as security". "An asset addition is not necessarily an expenditure." Question 15 says miscellaneous income "over budget by some $1.1M" is explained by recognizing the Peaks Village lands. The page does not give the value of the lots or how it was set.
Township elections page, Candidate Questions and Answers · Candidate Questions and Answers, questions 13, 14 and 15
"2027 Capital Projects": "New *Peaks Village $330,000"; "2027 Total Capital Projects $1,670,283".
2027 Budget Directive, presentation of September 17, 2026 · 2027 Capital Projects slide, PDF page 10
+96%parks, arena and library, 2019 to 2025
Greater Madawaska spent $405K on parks, arena and library in 2019 and $795K in 2025. Prices only went up about 21% in that time. Only 5 of 28 similar towns had faster growth here.
| Year | Parks, arena and library | Prices (inflation) |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | +0% | +0% |
| 2020 | −16% | +1% |
| 2021 | −13% | +4% |
| 2022 | +18% | +11% |
| 2023 | +49% | +16% |
| 2024 | +68% | +18% |
| 2025 | +96% | +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 Greater Madawaska? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Parks, arena and library: 2019 $405K, 2020 $342K, 2021 $352K, 2022 $479K, 2023 $604K, 2024 $680K, 2025 $795K.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2025 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
Biggest driver: Arena and buildings, from $270K to $477K.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2025 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
Typical growth among similar towns: 65%. Greater Madawaska ranks 6th of 29.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2025, 28 similar municipalities · Schedule 40 · archived copy
$7,622,505actual 2025 expenses in the audited statements, against a budget column of $5,858,750
The 2025 statements show expenses of $7,622,505 against a budget column of $5,858,750. The statements' budget column shows no amortization (the yearly wear-and-tear charge on assets, which is an accounting entry, not a payment), while actual amortization was $1,337,317. The Township says the gap should not be called an overrun. By our working, amortization explains about $1.34 million of the roughly $1.76 million gap, and revenue was also higher than budget by more than $1.3 million, partly because of the Peaks Village lots. The Township does not publish a line-by-line list showing the rest.
People who compare the budget with the audited results will see a large gap. A published bridge between the two would show that it is accounting and not overspending.
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 Greater Madawaska? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The records that would answer this can be requested: Bridge from the 2025 budget to the audited statements, with wording you can copy.
Statement of operations, 2025: "Annual surplus" budget $1,155,604, actual $737,802. Total expenses budget 5,858,750, actual 7,622,505. Total revenue budget 7,014,354, actual 8,360,307.
Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 · Consolidated Statement of Operations and Accumulated Surplus, PDF page 7 (printed page 4)
Statement of changes in net debt: "Amortization of tangible capital assets" budget "-", actual 1,337,317 (2024: 1,267,935). Note 11: "The budgeted figures are unaudited."
Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 · Statement of Changes in Net Debt, PDF page 8 (printed page 5); note 11, PDF page 18
Question 13: "These amounts should not be characterized as 'overruns.' They reflect reporting methods prescribed by Public Sector Accounting Standards (PSAS)." The answer for the "$1.76M Operating Costs Variance" lists amortization, changes in tangible capital assets, deferred revenue, debt payments and contributions to reserves, with no amounts.
Township elections page, Candidate Questions and Answers · Candidate Questions and Answers, question 13
$1,259,775estimated landfill closure and post-closure liability, against a $340,000 reserve
A landfill has to be capped and watched for years after it closes. The statements count the expected cost, in today's money, at $1,259,775. The reserve set aside for it is $340,000. By our working the difference is $919,775. The statements call it an amount "to be recovered" from taxpayers in later years.
If the cost is not saved for as it builds, future taxpayers pay it all at once or the Township borrows.
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 Greater Madawaska? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Note 9: "The estimated total liability of $1,259,775 (2024 - 1,296,975)". "There is currently $340,000 in reserves set aside for either closure or post closure activities." "Landfill sites' remaining useful life in years 33"; "Expected years of post-closure care 25". "Some closure costs are incurred on an ongoing basis and are included in the yearly fiscal operating budget."
Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 · note 9, PDF pages 17 and 18 (printed pages 14 and 15)
Note 2: "Amounts to be recovered represent the requirement of the Township to raise funds in subsequent periods to finance unfunded liabilities", including "the ARO for the landfill closure and post closure costs $1,259,775".
Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 · note 2, PDF page 14 (printed page 11)
2 claimsdisclosed in the audited 2025 statements, outcomes not known
The 2025 statements say the Township has been named in two claims and the outcomes cannot be known yet. The Township told a candidate that both are being handled through its insurance and its own cost would generally be limited to the deductible, and that it can say no more while they are ongoing.
An open claim can turn into a cost. The Township has said what it can, and residents may still want to know how big the deductible is.
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 Greater Madawaska? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Note 10: "The Township of Greater Madawaska is aware of two claims as at December 31, 2025, for which they have been named the defendant. The outcomes are not determinable as at the financial reporting date."
Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 · note 10, PDF page 18 (printed page 15)
Question 17: "both matters are being handled through the Township's insurance coverage. The Township's direct financial cost would generally be limited to the applicable insurance deductible." "As these matters remain ongoing, the Township is limited in the details it can publicly provide."
Township elections page, Candidate Questions and Answers · Candidate Questions and Answers, question 17
$122,407moved to a reserve in 2025 from the policing budget, according to the Township
The 2025 budget set aside $863,385 for policing. Actual OPP costs were $730,596 and the new police board cost $19,097. The Township says the Province gave temporary relief on OPP bills, so Council moved the $122,407 difference into a reserve for future policing increases. The reserve schedule shows that reserve rising from $200,000 to $322,407. The Township has explained this. What remains open is how that reserve will be used.
Money collected in tax for one purpose and held in reserve for another is a normal tool, but residents should know when it is being done and what it is for.
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 Greater Madawaska? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Question 16: the 2025 budget "included $863,385 for Police Services"; the $122,407 "difference was transferred to the General Operating Contingency Reserve/Levy Stabilization to help with future policing cost increases"; "the reserve increased from $200,000 to $322,407".
Township elections page, Candidate Questions and Answers · Candidate Questions and Answers, question 16
Note 14: the OPP cost for 2025 "was $730,596 (2024 - $710,871)"; Police Services Board costs "The cost for 2025 was $19,097 (2024 - $nil)". Schedule of reserves: "General operating contingency" 322,407 (2024: 200,000).
Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 · note 14, PDF page 19 (printed page 16); Schedule of Reserves, PDF page 22