Questions · 12 so far
We read Hearst's financial reports and meeting minutes, and compared its numbers with 21 similar Ontario towns. These are the things that stood out.
These are unusual enough that residents deserve a clear answer from council.
$3.2Min savings at the end of 2024
Towns keep savings (called reserves) to pay for new trucks, roof repairs and surprises. Hearst had $3.2M saved at the end of 2024, down from $4.8M in 2019. That is 13% of one year's spending. None of the 21 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.
2022the latest year of audited statements we found on the Town's Finance page
Audited statements are the yearly accounts that an outside accounting firm has checked. On the Finance page of the Town's website, the only statements we found are for 2022, and the auditor's report on them is dated September 19, 2023. We did not find later years. The 2026 budget does print 2023 and 2024 'actual' numbers and 2025 numbers marked 'unaudited', so the Town is tracking its results. The open question is whether the checked statements for those years are public.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
$401,500interest from Hearst Connect budgeted for 2026, against $52,500 received in 2024
The Town owns Hearst Connect Corporation, a company that sells internet and telephone service. At the end of 2022 the Town's statements show a long-term receivable (money owed to the Town) of $3,900,000 from Hearst Connect, and the company's own condensed results show a net deficit of $(12,655) with net income of $398,142 for the year. The Town's budget line 'INTEREST - Hearst Connect' was $45,000 in 2023 and $52,500 in 2024, was budgeted at $200,500 for 2025, and is budgeted at $401,500 for 2026. The budget's summary page says only that income from 'Government Business Enterprises' goes from $294,500 to $480,000.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
$454,301bank interest in 2025 (unaudited), against a budget of $308,800
The Town earned $690,378 in interest on its bank accounts in 2023 and $649,059 in 2024. The 2025 budget expected $308,800 and the 2025 unaudited result is $454,301, which is $145,501 more than budgeted (worked out by us). The 2026 budget expects $313,300. A budget set below what usually arrives leaves room for a surplus, which can then be spent on something else.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
$320,089non-routine commercial and industrial spending over 2023 to 2025, with no budget (worked out by us)
The 'Com. & Ind. - Non-routine expenses' line had a budget of 0 for 2025 and no budget behind it in the earlier years either. Spending on it was $47,242 in 2023, $169,789 in 2024 and $103,058 in 2025 (unaudited), which adds to $320,089 (worked out by us). The whole commercial and industrial section had a 2025 budget of $58,900 and a 2025 result of $141,732. Separately, the department's net cost in the 2026 budget rises 95%, from $159,500 to $311,100.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
+45%water, sewers and garbage, 2019 to 2024
Hearst spent $1.8M on water, sewers and garbage in 2019 and $2.6M 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.
$502,788spent on waste supplies and services in 2022, against a budget of $254,800
In 2022 the Town budgeted $254,800 for supplies and services in waste collection, disposal and recycling, and spent $502,788. The statements give part of the answer. The Town's landfill closure and clean-up liability (money it must set aside for closing the landfill one day) rose from $483,000 to $686,000 in 2022, and the cash flow statement shows a change of $203,000. The 2026 budget includes $105,000 to start an environmental assessment for the landfill.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
$300,000a year estimated for repaying the recreation centre reserve, in year 4 of 15
A reserve is a savings account a town sets aside for a purpose. The 2026 budget says Council passed a resolution to repay the reserve used for the recreation centre rehabilitation. The estimate is $300,000 a year over 15 years, and the Town is in year 4. That is about $4.5 million in total (worked out by us), but the budget says the amount will be recalculated when the project is finished. The 2022 statements list commitments of $4,959,650 for recreation in 2023.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
$1,569,252CWELCC grant received in 2025 (unaudited), against a budget of $407,500
In the 2025 budget, the child care centre's 'Operating Grant' was $1,200,400 and its 'CWELCC' grant was $407,500. The 2025 unaudited results show the reverse: $51,240 and $1,569,252. Together the lines are $1,607,900 budgeted and $1,620,492 received (worked out by us), so the total is close. The 2026 budget has $52,000 and $1,917,200, matching the new pattern.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 1 source
$269,900total 2026 budget for Members of Council, down 2% from 2025
Ontario towns must publish a yearly statement of what each member of council was paid and what expenses were repaid. We did not find one on the Finance page, the council page or the budget documents we read. The 2026 budget gives one total for the cost of Council: $269,900, down 2% from $274,600 in 2025.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 1 source
$397per home on garbage, dump and recycling, 2024
Hearst spent about $397 per home on garbage, dump and recycling in 2024. The typical similar town spent $304. Only 2 of 21 similar towns spent more.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 1 source
$213per home on snow ploughing, 2024
Hearst spent about $213 per home on snow ploughing in 2024. The typical similar town spent $101. Only 1 of 21 similar towns spent more.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 1 source
$3.2Min savings at the end of 2024
Towns keep savings (called reserves) to pay for new trucks, roof repairs and surprises. Hearst had $3.2M saved at the end of 2024, down from $4.8M in 2019. That is 13% of one year's spending. None of the 21 similar towns had less, compared with what they spend.
| Year | Savings (reserves) |
|---|---|
| 2019 | $4.8M |
| 2020 | $5.1M |
| 2021 | $5.4M |
| 2022 | $4.3M |
| 2023 | $2.3M |
| 2024 | $3.2M |
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 Hearst? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Savings (reserves and reserve funds): 2019 $4.8M, 2020 $5.1M, 2021 $5.4M, 2022 $4.3M, 2023 $2.3M, 2024 $3.2M.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2024 · Schedule 70, line 6420 · archived copy
Typical among similar towns: savings equal to 63% of a year's spending. Hearst: 13%.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2024, 21 similar municipalities · Schedules 40 and 70 · archived copy
2022the latest year of audited statements we found on the Town's Finance page
Audited statements are the yearly accounts that an outside accounting firm has checked. On the Finance page of the Town's website, the only statements we found are for 2022, and the auditor's report on them is dated September 19, 2023. We did not find later years. The 2026 budget does print 2023 and 2024 'actual' numbers and 2025 numbers marked 'unaudited', so the Town is tracking its results. The open question is whether the checked statements for those years are public.
Audited statements are the independent check on what the Town reports about its own money. Residents voting on October 26, 2026 would normally be able to see the last few years of them.
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 Hearst? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The Finance page lists "2026 Operating and Capital Budget", "2025 Operating and Capital Budget", "2024 Operating and Capital Budget" and "2022 Consolidated Financial Statements". We did not find a statements link for 2023, 2024 or 2025 on the page.
Finance, Town of Hearst website · list of documents under the Finance introduction
The 2022 consolidated financial statements carry an auditor's report dated "September 19, 2023" and say the statements "present fairly, in all material respects" the Town's financial position.
Corporation of the Town of Hearst, Independent Auditor's Report and Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2022 · Independent Auditor's Report, PDF pages 5 to 7
The 2026 budget's detail pages label the 2025 results column "ACTUAL (UNAUDITED)", next to 2023 and 2024 columns labelled "ACTUAL".
The Corporation of the Town of Hearst, 2026 Budget · 2026 Operating Budget Detail, General Fund, PDF page 34 (column headings repeat on later pages)
$401,500interest from Hearst Connect budgeted for 2026, against $52,500 received in 2024
The Town owns Hearst Connect Corporation, a company that sells internet and telephone service. At the end of 2022 the Town's statements show a long-term receivable (money owed to the Town) of $3,900,000 from Hearst Connect, and the company's own condensed results show a net deficit of $(12,655) with net income of $398,142 for the year. The Town's budget line 'INTEREST - Hearst Connect' was $45,000 in 2023 and $52,500 in 2024, was budgeted at $200,500 for 2025, and is budgeted at $401,500 for 2026. The budget's summary page says only that income from 'Government Business Enterprises' goes from $294,500 to $480,000.
A town that lends millions to a company it owns is taking a risk with taxpayers' money. A budget that counts on more income from that company each year depends on the company being able to pay it. We did not find later statements for the company or an explanation of the change.
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 Hearst? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Hearst Connect, December 31, 2022: "Long-term receivable $ 3,900,000 $ 3,900,000" (2022 and 2021). Condensed results: "Net deficit $ (12,655)" at year end (2021: $ (410,797)); "Net income $ 398,142" for 2022 (2021: $ 319,974). Related interest paid to the Town: "Interest 75,569" in 2022.
Corporation of the Town of Hearst, Independent Auditor's Report and Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2022 · Note 9, Investment in government business enterprises, PDF pages 23 and 24
General fund detail, "INTEREST - Hearst Connect": 2023 actual (45,000), 2024 actual (52,500), 2025 budget (200,500), 2025 actual (unaudited) (200,500), 2026 budget (401,500). Brackets mark revenue in this report.
The Corporation of the Town of Hearst, 2026 Budget · 2026 Operating Budget Detail, account 1-3-50130-654, PDF page 42
Summary of non-program revenue: "Government Business Enterprises" 294,500 in 2025 and 480,000 in 2026 (63%). The capital financing plan also lists "Hearst Connect Dividend 245,000" as a source for 2026 capital projects.
The Corporation of the Town of Hearst, 2026 Budget · 2026 Summary Budget page 3 of 3 (PDF page 6); 2026 Capital Financing Plan, last page (PDF page 103)
$454,301bank interest in 2025 (unaudited), against a budget of $308,800
The Town earned $690,378 in interest on its bank accounts in 2023 and $649,059 in 2024. The 2025 budget expected $308,800 and the 2025 unaudited result is $454,301, which is $145,501 more than budgeted (worked out by us). The 2026 budget expects $313,300. A budget set below what usually arrives leaves room for a surplus, which can then be spent on something else.
Interest rates move up and down, so some drop can be expected. But if the budget is set well under what the Town is earning, the tax increase (3.00% for 2026) may be larger than it needs to be, or the surplus may be used without a public vote on it.
You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. How to reach council.
Speak for Hearst? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
General fund detail, "INTEREST - Bank accounts": 2023 actual (690,378), 2024 actual (649,059), 2025 budget (308,800), 2025 actual (unaudited) (454,301), 2026 budget (313,300). Brackets mark revenue in this report.
The Corporation of the Town of Hearst, 2026 Budget · 2026 Operating Budget Detail, account 1-3-50130-650, PDF page 42
Capital financing plan sources for 2026 include "Surplus from operation 2025 890,000" and "From previous years 1,236,500".
The Corporation of the Town of Hearst, 2026 Budget · 2026 Capital Financing Plan, last page (PDF page 103)
2026 Summary Budget: "Tax Rate Change 3.00%".
The Corporation of the Town of Hearst, 2026 Budget · 2026 Summary Budget, PDF page 6 (printed "Page 3 of 3")
$320,089non-routine commercial and industrial spending over 2023 to 2025, with no budget (worked out by us)
The 'Com. & Ind. - Non-routine expenses' line had a budget of 0 for 2025 and no budget behind it in the earlier years either. Spending on it was $47,242 in 2023, $169,789 in 2024 and $103,058 in 2025 (unaudited), which adds to $320,089 (worked out by us). The whole commercial and industrial section had a 2025 budget of $58,900 and a 2025 result of $141,732. Separately, the department's net cost in the 2026 budget rises 95%, from $159,500 to $311,100.
Money spent that was never in the budget did not get a council vote beforehand. The budget does not say what the 2024 and 2025 spending was for, so a resident cannot tell if it was a one-time cost or a recurring 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 Hearst? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
General fund detail, "Com. & Ind. - Non-routine expenses": 2023 actual 47,242, 2024 actual 169,789, 2025 budget 0, 2025 actual (unaudited) 103,058, 2026 budget 0. "Total 66.Commercial & industrial": 85,507; 207,526; 2025 budget 58,900; 2025 actual 141,732; 2026 budget 42,900.
The Corporation of the Town of Hearst, 2026 Budget · 2026 Operating Budget Detail, account 1-4-41200-991 and the section total, PDF page 81
Department page, Commercial & Industrial Development: "DEPARTMENT COST 2026 : $ 311,100", "2025 : $ 159, 500", "95 % from 2025". No reason for the change is printed on the page.
The Corporation of the Town of Hearst, 2026 Budget · 2026 Operating Budget Summary, Commercial & Industrial Development, page 24 of 25 (PDF page 31)
+45%water, sewers and garbage, 2019 to 2024
Hearst spent $1.8M on water, sewers and garbage in 2019 and $2.6M in 2024. Prices only went up about 18% in that time.
| Year | Water, sewers and garbage | Prices (inflation) |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | +0% | +0% |
| 2020 | +7% | +1% |
| 2021 | +21% | +4% |
| 2022 | +21% | +11% |
| 2023 | +29% | +16% |
| 2024 | +45% | +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 Hearst? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Water, sewers and garbage: 2019 $1.8M, 2020 $1.9M, 2021 $2.2M, 2022 $2.2M, 2023 $2.3M, 2024 $2.6M.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2024 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
Biggest driver: The dump (landfill), from $184K to $551K.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2024 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
$502,788spent on waste supplies and services in 2022, against a budget of $254,800
In 2022 the Town budgeted $254,800 for supplies and services in waste collection, disposal and recycling, and spent $502,788. The statements give part of the answer. The Town's landfill closure and clean-up liability (money it must set aside for closing the landfill one day) rose from $483,000 to $686,000 in 2022, and the cash flow statement shows a change of $203,000. The 2026 budget includes $105,000 to start an environmental assessment for the landfill.
Landfills are an expensive, long-term obligation. Setting money aside each year is the responsible way to meet it, but the budget did not include it. The 2022 budget was off by about $248,000 on this line.
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 Hearst? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Analysis of expenses, Environmental Services, supplies and services: "Waste collection, disposal and recycling 254,800 502,788 629,679" (2022 budget, 2022 actual, 2021 actual).
Corporation of the Town of Hearst, Independent Auditor's Report and Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2022 · Analysis of Expenses, Environmental Services, PDF page 47
Statement of financial position: "Solid waste landfill closure and post-closure (Note 18) 686,000 483,000". Note 18 says "an amount of $686,000 (2021 - $483,000) with respect to landfill closure and post-closure liabilities has been accrued" and "The expected remaining life of the landfill is currently being reviewed by the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks." Cash flow statement: "Solid waste landfill closure and post-closure 203,000 357,000".
Corporation of the Town of Hearst, Independent Auditor's Report and Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2022 · Statement of Financial Position (PDF page 8), Cash Flows (PDF page 11), Note 18 (PDF page 31)
2026 capital projects: "01. Consultant Fees - Landfill 105,000", described as "Consultation fees to start the Environmental Assessment per the approved Terms of Reference."
The Corporation of the Town of Hearst, 2026 Budget · 2026 Capital Projects, Environmental Services, PDF pages 93 and 101
$300,000a year estimated for repaying the recreation centre reserve, in year 4 of 15
A reserve is a savings account a town sets aside for a purpose. The 2026 budget says Council passed a resolution to repay the reserve used for the recreation centre rehabilitation. The estimate is $300,000 a year over 15 years, and the Town is in year 4. That is about $4.5 million in total (worked out by us), but the budget says the amount will be recalculated when the project is finished. The 2022 statements list commitments of $4,959,650 for recreation in 2023.
A payment that lasts 15 years is a promise on every future budget. Residents should know the total, the years left, and what happens to the figure if the project cost changes.
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 Hearst? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
"Council has passed a resolution to repay the reserve used for the recreation centre rehabilitation project. An initial amount of $300,000 per year is estimated, and this will be recalculated upon completion of the project. We are currently in year 4 of the 15-year repayment period."
The Corporation of the Town of Hearst, 2026 Budget · 2026 Capital Projects, Recreation and Cultural Services, item 01, Project Repayment, PDF page 94
Note 20, Commitments: for Recreation, "4,959,650" in 2023 and a total of "5,215,227" for signed agreements.
Corporation of the Town of Hearst, Independent Auditor's Report and Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2022 · Note 20, Commitments, PDF page 32
$1,569,252CWELCC grant received in 2025 (unaudited), against a budget of $407,500
In the 2025 budget, the child care centre's 'Operating Grant' was $1,200,400 and its 'CWELCC' grant was $407,500. The 2025 unaudited results show the reverse: $51,240 and $1,569,252. Together the lines are $1,607,900 budgeted and $1,620,492 received (worked out by us), so the total is close. The 2026 budget has $52,000 and $1,917,200, matching the new pattern.
A budget line that is far from its result for a whole year means the budget was split the wrong way. The total is close, so little money seems to be missing, but it is a sign of how carefully the budget was checked.
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 Hearst? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
General fund detail, "CCC - DCSSAB - Operating Grant CCC": (541,823) 2023, (734,462) 2024, (1,200,400) 2025 budget, (51,240) 2025 actual (unaudited), (52,000) 2026 budget. "CCC - DCSSAB - CWELCC": (292,876), (352,722), (407,500), (1,569,252), (1,917,200). Brackets mark revenue.
The Corporation of the Town of Hearst, 2026 Budget · 2026 Operating Budget Detail, accounts 1-3-30310-734 and 1-3-30310-735, PDF page 38
$269,900total 2026 budget for Members of Council, down 2% from 2025
Ontario towns must publish a yearly statement of what each member of council was paid and what expenses were repaid. We did not find one on the Finance page, the council page or the budget documents we read. The 2026 budget gives one total for the cost of Council: $269,900, down 2% from $274,600 in 2025.
The statement is how residents see what their representatives cost. We have not filled in a pay table for Hearst, because there is no statement we could read.
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 Hearst? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Members of Council, summary budget: "Members of Council 274,600 - 274,600 269,900 - 269,900 (4,700) -2%" (2025 net budget, 2026 net budget, change).
The Corporation of the Town of Hearst, 2026 Budget · 2026 Summary Budget, page 1 of 3 (PDF page 4)
$397per home on garbage, dump and recycling, 2024
Hearst spent about $397 per home on garbage, dump and recycling in 2024. The typical similar town spent $304. Only 2 of 21 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 Hearst? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Garbage, dump and recycling per home: Hearst $397; typical similar town $304; ranked 3rd highest of 22.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2024, 21 similar municipalities · Schedule 40 and Schedule 2 · archived copy
$213per home on snow ploughing, 2024
Hearst spent about $213 per home on snow ploughing in 2024. The typical similar town spent $101. Only 1 of 21 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 Hearst? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Snow ploughing per home: Hearst $213; typical similar town $101; ranked 2nd highest of 22.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2024, 21 similar municipalities · Schedule 40 and Schedule 2 · archived copy