Questions · 8 so far
We read Grimsby's financial reports and meeting minutes, and compared its numbers with 40 similar Ontario towns. These are the things that stood out.
These are unusual enough that residents deserve a clear answer from council.
+158%running the town office, 2019 to 2024
Grimsby spent $3.5M on running the town office in 2019 and $9.1M in 2024. Prices only went up about 18% in that time. Only 0 of 40 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.
$2,085,780wastewater division deficit in 2024, per the Town's report on its statements
Wastewater is the sewage service, paid partly by taxes and partly by bills based on water use. The Town's report on the 2024 statements says the wastewater division ended 2024 with a deficit of $2,085,780, which is more than the Town's whole year-end deficit of $1,544,290 because other parts of the budget finished ahead. Wastewater reserves fell from $15,949,483 to $15,185,010 over the year. The Town has since moved the whole cost onto water bills. Its budget books say the Region of Niagara's charges explain 90% of the 2025 increase and 83% of the 2026 increase.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 5 sources
$7,369,926borrowed in 2024 for the hospital contribution, at 4.39% to 2044
The Town committed $9,300,926 to the West Lincoln Memorial Hospital Foundation's building campaign. It collected $1,931,000 through the tax levy and borrowed the rest, $7,369,926, at 4.39% until 2044. Its long-term debt went from $1,696,130 to $8,656,871 in one year. In the same year its portfolio investments (savings held in bonds and similar) rose from $37,465,951 to $58,281,160 and its cash fell from $43,412,014 to $23,059,486. The Town calls the hospital and the Peach King Centre a "historic commitment" and puts the yearly debt payments in the tax levy.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 5 sources
Background that helps make sense of the rest.
$7,647,530annual surplus in the 2024 statements, against a year-end operating deficit of $1,544,290 on the budget basis
A surplus is what is left when a year's revenue is more than its spending. The audited statements for 2024 show an annual surplus of $7,647,530, against a budgeted deficit of $1,716,404. The Town's own report to the Finance Committee says its year-end result, counted the way the budget is counted, was a deficit of $1,544,290. The Town explains the gap: the statements follow public-sector accounting rules (which count grants for building projects and the value of assets handed to the Town as revenue), while the budget is prepared on a cash basis.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
$1.6 millionowed to the Region after a meter calibration error, per the Town's report
The Town's report on its 2024 statements says it owed the Region of Niagara $1.6 million for water and wastewater, after the Region found a calibration error in its meter readings that had under-billed the Town "over the past few years." Accounts payable (bills the Town owes) rose from $8,630,433 to $10,679,975 in 2024. The Town has explained what happened. What the documents we read do not show is the years covered, who checked the new bill, or how the cost was paid for.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
4.70%minimum Town levy increase for 2026, after estimated growth; 3.99% projected for 2027
The Town's own levy (its share of the property tax bill) rose by a minimum of 5.88% for 2025 and 4.70% for 2026, after counting growth in the number of properties. The multi-year projection shows 3.99% for 2027 and 3.34% for 2028, before any new spending. The Town says 4.7% is $70 a year for an average home assessed at $442,000, and 6.57% overall once Regional and school taxes are counted. The Town explains why: it says its asset management plans show funding gaps, and it adds money for reserves each year (1.00% of the levy in each year of the 2026 projection).
Found by reading the town's own documents · 4 sources
$48,168.47training, conferences and meeting expenses for council members in 2025
Council members' pay and expenses are published every year under section 284 of the Municipal Act. For 2025 the column "Training, Conferences, & Meeting Expenses" totals $48,168.47. Three members' amounts are $9,079.04 (the first line, Jordan, Jeffrey), $8,984.91 (Baradziej, Jacob) and $8,165.71 (Freake, Reginald), while one member's is $21.38 (Davoli, Delight). In 2024 the same kinds of costs were printed in three columns (conferences $22,611.84, seminars $2,591.45, meeting expense $939.19), which we added to $26,142.48 (worked out by us). The Council Expense Policy was amended on August 11, 2025.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
Oct. 7, 2024date of the auditor's report on the 2023 statements; the 2024 report is dated August 11, 2025
A municipality's audited statements show whether its books are in order. The 2023 statements carry a clean opinion ("present fairly") dated October 7, 2024. For 2024 the Town changed auditors: KPMG LLP signed a clean opinion on August 11, 2025, and says the 2023 figures were audited by another auditor. KPMG's report to the Finance Committee found no uncorrected misstatements and no significant control deficiencies. On the Town's financial statements page on October 5, 2026 we found statements through 2024 but none for 2025.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
+158%running the town office, 2019 to 2024
Grimsby spent $3.5M on running the town office in 2019 and $9.1M in 2024. Prices only went up about 18% in that time. Only 0 of 40 similar towns had faster growth here.
| Year | Running the town office | Prices (inflation) |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | +0% | +0% |
| 2020 | +25% | +1% |
| 2021 | +43% | +4% |
| 2022 | +107% | +11% |
| 2023 | +83% | +16% |
| 2024 | +158% | +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 Grimsby? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Running the town office: 2019 $3.5M, 2020 $4.4M, 2021 $5.0M, 2022 $7.3M, 2023 $6.4M, 2024 $9.1M.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2024 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
Biggest driver: Office and administration, from $3.2M to $8.4M.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2024 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
Typical growth among similar towns: 52%. Grimsby ranks 1st of 41.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2024, 40 similar municipalities · Schedule 40 · archived copy
$2,085,780wastewater division deficit in 2024, per the Town's report on its statements
Wastewater is the sewage service, paid partly by taxes and partly by bills based on water use. The Town's report on the 2024 statements says the wastewater division ended 2024 with a deficit of $2,085,780, which is more than the Town's whole year-end deficit of $1,544,290 because other parts of the budget finished ahead. Wastewater reserves fell from $15,949,483 to $15,185,010 over the year. The Town has since moved the whole cost onto water bills. Its budget books say the Region of Niagara's charges explain 90% of the 2025 increase and 83% of the 2026 increase.
A service that runs over budget by this much, and whose reserve then shrinks, is one residents will be asked to pay more for. The Town has explained where most of the new cost comes from (the Region). It has not, in the documents we read, explained why 2024 ran $2 million over.
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 Grimsby? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The records that would answer this can be requested: Report FIN-25-26, 2024 Year-End Results and Reserve Transfers, with wording you can copy.
Report FIN-25-40: "a $2,085,780 deficit in the Wastewater division." The total 2024 year-end deficit was $1,544,290, which "includes a $565,164 operational levy surplus for the Town".
Report FIN-25-40, Consolidated Financial Statement Report (Finance Standing Committee, July 24, 2025) · Section III, PDF page 8 (page 8 of 10)
Note 13, Reserve and reserve funds: Wastewater reserve 15,185,010 (2023: 15,949,483). Water reserve 11,782,917 (2023: 9,517,063). Total reserve and reserve funds $52,195,746 (2023: $52,534,301).
The Corporation of the Town of Grimsby, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2024 (KPMG LLP, August 11, 2025) · Note 13, Reserve and reserve funds, PDF page 29 (printed page 27)
Historical budget trends, wastewater system: "Revenues - Rate Based" 2,185,600 (2023), 3,692,060 (2024), 4,839,930 (2025), 10,745,310 (2026). "Revenues - Levy Based" 3,667,180 (2024), 4,815,040 (2025), and nothing in 2026. Percentage increase: 30.71% (2025) and 10.85% (2026). The 2026 variable rate is $2.30 per cubic metre and the annual fixed charge $413.13.
Town of Grimsby, 2026 Consolidated Budget (version 6, November 28) · Historical Budget Trends, Wastewater System table, PDF page 11 (printed page 11)
The Town's explanation for 2026: "Regional cost allocations are the primary driver of the water and wastewater cost increase, accounting for 83% of our 2026 increase."
Town of Grimsby, 2026 Consolidated Budget (version 6, November 28) · Executive Summary, Water and Wastewater Rates, PDF page 9
The Town's explanation for 2025: "Regional cost allocations are the primary driver of the wastewater cost increase, accounting for 90% of our 2025 increase." It adds that the wastewater user rate is $1.72 per cubic metre.
Town of Grimsby, 2025 Consolidated Budget · Executive Summary, Water Rate and Wastewater Rates, PDF page 8
$7,369,926borrowed in 2024 for the hospital contribution, at 4.39% to 2044
The Town committed $9,300,926 to the West Lincoln Memorial Hospital Foundation's building campaign. It collected $1,931,000 through the tax levy and borrowed the rest, $7,369,926, at 4.39% until 2044. Its long-term debt went from $1,696,130 to $8,656,871 in one year. In the same year its portfolio investments (savings held in bonds and similar) rose from $37,465,951 to $58,281,160 and its cash fell from $43,412,014 to $23,059,486. The Town calls the hospital and the Peach King Centre a "historic commitment" and puts the yearly debt payments in the tax levy.
Paying interest at 4.39% while holding large savings can be a sound choice or a costly one, depending on what those savings are for and what they earn. The Town's documents say the debt payments add to the tax levy each year. Residents are owed a plain reason why borrowing was chosen over paying from reserves.
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 Grimsby? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Note 24, Commitments: "The Municipality has committed to providing financial assistance of $9,300,926 to the West Lincoln Memorial Hospital Foundation's building campaign. As of December 31, 2024, $1,931,000 has been collected through the operating tax levy with the remaining funds of $7,369,926 secured through a debenture."
The Corporation of the Town of Grimsby, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2024 (KPMG LLP, August 11, 2025) · Note 24, Commitments, PDF page 34 (printed page 32)
Note 10, Long-term debt: West Lincoln Memorial Hospital, interest rate 4.39%, maturity 2044, 7,369,926 (2023: nil). Total long-term debt $8,656,871 (2023: $1,696,130). Interest charges for the year $46,329.
The Corporation of the Town of Grimsby, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2024 (KPMG LLP, August 11, 2025) · Note 10, Long-term debt, PDF page 27 (printed page 25)
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position: "Portfolio investments" 58,281,160 (2023: 37,465,951). "Cash" 23,059,486 (2023: 43,412,014).
The Corporation of the Town of Grimsby, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2024 (KPMG LLP, August 11, 2025) · Consolidated Statement of Financial Position, PDF page 7 (printed page 5)
The Town's explanation: "The 2025 budget includes funding for debt payments related to the Town of Grimsby's historic commitment to the redevelopment of the West Lincoln Memorial Hospital and the Peach King Centre. The 2025 budget includes increases for debt funding of 0.84% or $12 for an average residential household assessed at $442,000."
Town of Grimsby, 2025 Consolidated Budget · Executive Summary, Financial Accountability, PDF page 8
Report FIN-25-40 on the investment rise: "The Portfolio Investments increased $20.8 million over the prior year. As investments matured, surplus funds were strategically reinvested and surplus cash was allocated to new investments". It does not mention the hospital debt in that passage.
Report FIN-25-40, Consolidated Financial Statement Report (Finance Standing Committee, July 24, 2025) · Section I, Statement of Financial Position, PDF page 4 (page 4 of 10)
$7,647,530annual surplus in the 2024 statements, against a year-end operating deficit of $1,544,290 on the budget basis
A surplus is what is left when a year's revenue is more than its spending. The audited statements for 2024 show an annual surplus of $7,647,530, against a budgeted deficit of $1,716,404. The Town's own report to the Finance Committee says its year-end result, counted the way the budget is counted, was a deficit of $1,544,290. The Town explains the gap: the statements follow public-sector accounting rules (which count grants for building projects and the value of assets handed to the Town as revenue), while the budget is prepared on a cash basis.
Residents who read only the audited surplus could think the Town had $7.6 million to spare. The Town says it did not. The two numbers measure different things, and the Town has published a page that bridges them. What is worth asking is what covered the $1.5 million budget shortfall, because the Town's budget is meant to balance.
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 Grimsby? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Consolidated Statement of Operations, 2024: "Annual surplus" budget (1,716,404), actual 7,647,530 (2023 actual 9,501,648). "Government transfers" budget 2,730,880, actual 8,017,440. "General government" expenses budget 13,166,592, actual 7,475,502. Total revenue budget 47,420,310, actual 52,110,084; total expenses budget 49,136,714, actual 44,462,554.
The Corporation of the Town of Grimsby, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2024 (KPMG LLP, August 11, 2025) · Consolidated Statement of Operations and Accumulated Surplus, PDF page 8 (printed page 6)
Reconciliation of Operating Surplus to Financial Statement Surplus: "Surplus (Deficit)" actual (1,520,616). "Grant funding - Capital" actual 7,624,593. "Development Charges" actual 1,183,311. "Amortization on capital assets" actual (7,164,527). "Annual Surplus (Deficit) Per 2024 Financial Statements" actual 7,647,530, budget (1,716,404).
FIN-25-40 Appendix C, Reconciliation of Operating Surplus to Financial Statement Surplus · Single page (PDF page 1)
The Town's explanation: "the Town budget is prepared on a cash basis." It adds that "the year-end deficit was reduced by $109,268, bringing the total deficit to $1,544,290." The report says this includes "a $565,164 operational levy surplus for the Town, a $23,674 deficit for the Grimsby Downtown Business Improvement Area, and a $2,085,780 deficit in the Wastewater division."
Report FIN-25-40, Consolidated Financial Statement Report (Finance Standing Committee, July 24, 2025) · Section III, Reconciliation between the operating results and the audited results, PDF page 8 (page 8 of 10)
$1.6 millionowed to the Region after a meter calibration error, per the Town's report
The Town's report on its 2024 statements says it owed the Region of Niagara $1.6 million for water and wastewater, after the Region found a calibration error in its meter readings that had under-billed the Town "over the past few years." Accounts payable (bills the Town owes) rose from $8,630,433 to $10,679,975 in 2024. The Town has explained what happened. What the documents we read do not show is the years covered, who checked the new bill, or how the cost was paid for.
A bill that arrives years late hits the budget of the year it is paid, not the years it belongs to. Residents who paid wastewater charges in earlier years may have paid less than the true cost, and later ones more.
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 Grimsby? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The records that would answer this can be requested: The Region of Niagara reconciliation of the water and wastewater meter calibration error, with wording you can copy.
Report FIN-25-40: "The increase of $2 million in payables and accruals primarily relates to $1.6 million water and wastewater reconciliation payable to the region as a result of a calibration error in their meter readings, causing an under-bill to the Town over the past few years."
Report FIN-25-40, Consolidated Financial Statement Report (Finance Standing Committee, July 24, 2025) · Section I, Total liabilities, PDF page 5 (page 5 of 10)
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position: "Accounts payable and accrued liabilities" 10,679,975 at December 31, 2024, and 8,630,433 at December 31, 2023.
The Corporation of the Town of Grimsby, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2024 (KPMG LLP, August 11, 2025) · Consolidated Statement of Financial Position, PDF page 7 (printed page 5)
4.70%minimum Town levy increase for 2026, after estimated growth; 3.99% projected for 2027
The Town's own levy (its share of the property tax bill) rose by a minimum of 5.88% for 2025 and 4.70% for 2026, after counting growth in the number of properties. The multi-year projection shows 3.99% for 2027 and 3.34% for 2028, before any new spending. The Town says 4.7% is $70 a year for an average home assessed at $442,000, and 6.57% overall once Regional and school taxes are counted. The Town explains why: it says its asset management plans show funding gaps, and it adds money for reserves each year (1.00% of the levy in each year of the 2026 projection).
The Town levy is about a quarter of the total property tax bill, so its increases compound with the Region's. The Town has published the reasons. The open question for the voters in the October 26, 2026 election is how long the asset management funding will keep adding a full percentage point a 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 Grimsby? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Multi-year projection in the 2025 budget: "Minimum Levy % Increase After Estimated Growth" 5.88% (2025), 5.28% (2026), 4.13% (2027). "Levy % Increase for Asset Management Levy" 1.00% (2025), 1.00% (2026), 1.50% (2027).
Town of Grimsby, 2025 Consolidated Budget · Multi-Year Projection, PDF page 12
Multi-year projection in the 2026 budget: "Minimum Levy % Increase After Estimated Growth" 4.70% (2026), 3.99% (2027), 3.34% (2028). "Levy % Increase for Asset Management Levy" 1.00% in each year. "Levy % Increase for WSIB Funding" 0.53% (2026).
Town of Grimsby, 2026 Consolidated Budget (version 6, November 28) · Multi-Year Projection, PDF page 13
Executive Summary: "an increase of 4.7%, translating to a Town levy tax increase of $70 per year or approximately $0.19 per day, for an average residential household assessed at $442,000." The overall increase "is forecasted to be 6.57% once Regional tax increases and education taxes are factored in." The 2026 Budget includes $190,000 for increased investments in asset management reserves.
Town of Grimsby, 2026 Consolidated Budget (version 6, November 28) · Executive Summary, Financial Accountability, Affordability & Sustainability, PDF page 9
The Town's explanation: "The Town further refined its' asset management plans for all capital infrastructure, arriving at recommended levels of service. While there are funding deficits – something that is common to all Ontario municipalities – the review has highlighted the importance of beginning to address the gaps."
Town of Grimsby, 2026 Consolidated Budget (version 6, November 28) · Executive Summary, A Look Back at 2025, PDF page 7
$48,168.47training, conferences and meeting expenses for council members in 2025
Council members' pay and expenses are published every year under section 284 of the Municipal Act. For 2025 the column "Training, Conferences, & Meeting Expenses" totals $48,168.47. Three members' amounts are $9,079.04 (the first line, Jordan, Jeffrey), $8,984.91 (Baradziej, Jacob) and $8,165.71 (Freake, Reginald), while one member's is $21.38 (Davoli, Delight). In 2024 the same kinds of costs were printed in three columns (conferences $22,611.84, seminars $2,591.45, meeting expense $939.19), which we added to $26,142.48 (worked out by us). The Council Expense Policy was amended on August 11, 2025.
Training and conferences are an allowed expense, and the Town has a written policy with daily meal limits. Even so, spending that doubles, and varies from $21.38 to about $9,000 a member, is worth a plain explanation. It is also the last full year before an election.
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 Grimsby? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Appendix B, 2025 Statement of Remuneration and Expenses, "Training, Conferences, & Meeting Expenses": Jordan, Jeffrey 9,079.04; Baradziej, Jacob 8,984.91; Charrois, Veronica 7,539.10; Davoli, Delight 21.38; Diflavio, Nick 2,199.39; Freake, Reginald 8,165.71; Howe, William 3,496.76; Korstanje, Jennifer 4,181.48; Vardy, Lianne 4,500.70. Total for Town Council 48,168.47. Total of all amounts 321,087.81.
Report FIN-26-09, 2025 Statement of Remuneration and Expenses (Finance Standing Committee, March 26, 2026) · Appendix B, 2025 Statement of Remuneration and Expenses, PDF page 14
Appendix B, 2024 statement, Town Council totals: "Training & Conference" 22,611.84; "Seminars" 2,591.45; "Meeting Expense" 939.19; "Mileage & Cellphone" 234.13; total of all amounts 295,240.06.
Report FIN-25-18, 2024 Statement of Remuneration and Expenses (Finance Standing Committee, March 27, 2025) · Appendix B, 2024 Statement of Remuneration and Expenses, PDF page 14
Council Expense Policy A09-GOV-130, effective October 5, 2020; amended December 19, 2022 and August 11, 2025. Expenses must be submitted "within 60 calendar days" and the Treasurer approves every request.
Report FIN-26-09, 2025 Statement of Remuneration and Expenses (Finance Standing Committee, March 26, 2026) · Appendix A, Council Expense Policy, PDF pages 4 to 7
Oct. 7, 2024date of the auditor's report on the 2023 statements; the 2024 report is dated August 11, 2025
A municipality's audited statements show whether its books are in order. The 2023 statements carry a clean opinion ("present fairly") dated October 7, 2024. For 2024 the Town changed auditors: KPMG LLP signed a clean opinion on August 11, 2025, and says the 2023 figures were audited by another auditor. KPMG's report to the Finance Committee found no uncorrected misstatements and no significant control deficiencies. On the Town's financial statements page on October 5, 2026 we found statements through 2024 but none for 2025.
Late or missing statements make it hard for voters to judge the Town before an election. The 2024 audit was clean and was done earlier in the year than 2023. The question is only whether the 2025 statements are coming and when.
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 Grimsby? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Independent Auditor's Report: "In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated financial statements present fairly in all material respects". Signed at Port Colborne, Canada, October 7, 2024. 2022 comparatives are marked "As restated (Note 2)". Annual surplus 2023 $9,501,648.
Town of Grimsby, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2023 (auditor's report October 7, 2024) · Independent Auditor's Report, PDF page 5; Statement of Operations, PDF page 7
Independent Auditor's Report: "present fairly, in all material respects". "The comparative information as at and for the year ended end of December 31, 2023 were audited by another auditor who expressed an unmodified opinion on those financial statements on October 7, 2024." Dated August 11, 2025.
The Corporation of the Town of Grimsby, Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2024 (KPMG LLP, August 11, 2025) · Independent Auditor's Report, PDF pages 3, 4 and 6
KPMG audit findings: "We did not identify any misstatements during our audit which were not corrected in the financial statements." "We did not identify any significant control deficiencies during the process understanding of our audit."
FIN 25-40 Appendix B, KPMG Audit Findings Report for the year ended December 31, 2024 · Audit highlights, PDF page 4 (slide 4)