Not the full picture. Built from public records, which leave things out.Read by hand, Oct 2026DetailsThis is built from public records, which leave a lot out, and some of it may be wrong or out of date. Check the sources, and tell us if you spot a mistake. What this site can't tell you Read by hand. We read Marathon's own documents for this site in October 2026; the Sources page lists which ones. The comparisons with other places still come from the Province's yearly reports.
A clear, checkable guide to Marathon's budget, taxes and council decisions. A town on the north shore of Lake Superior, in Northern Ontario, with a mayor and four councillors. Every figure links back to the public record.
$3,639,801recorded for recreation and cultural services in 2025, against $7,105,193 in the budget column
The budget column in the 2025 statements shows $7,105,193 for recreation and cultural services (parks, the recreation complex and the library). The Town recorded $3,639,801. That is $3,465,392 less than planned, worked out by us. The same service cost $4,648,760 in 2024. The plan and the actual both include amortization (the yearly wearing-out of buildings), so the gap is not an accounting difference of that kind.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 4 sources
$6,598,599spent on capital assets in 2025, against $4,203,148 planned
The Town bought or built $6,598,599 of capital assets in 2025 against $4,203,148 in the budget column, which is $2,395,451 more (worked out by us). Schedule 1 shows $2,548,896 of debt proceeds "received subsequently" and $2,129,723 of capital spending not yet financed. The result is a general fund balance of $(2,026,835), meaning a shortfall to be covered later.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
$15,190,299net financial debt at December 31, 2025, up from $11,724,193 a year earlier
Net financial debt (what the Town owes minus its financial assets such as cash and investments) grew from $11,724,193 to $15,190,299 in 2025. Debt on the books is $20,174,111. Interest charges on debt rose from $639,467 to $755,063. Two bank loans are amortized over 25 and 30 years but mature, and so must be renewed, in July 2027 and September 2028.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
$3,802,646owed in accounts payable and accrued liabilities at December 31, 2025, up from $1,760,926
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (bills received or owed but not yet paid) rose from $1,760,926 to $3,802,646. Cash was $2,237,462. The Town says all of these are expected to be paid within the next year.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
$380,721the amount the note gives for the general fund without the transfers, against $(2,026,835) printed in the table
Schedule 1 prints a general fund balance of $(2,026,835). A note under it says that after year end Council authorized transfers of $287,000 and $93,721 to reserves, and that without them the balance "would have been $380,721". Those two transfers add up to $380,721 (worked out by us), so the note's number is the size of the transfers, and it does not match the balance printed above it.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 1 source
$4,494,741left in the water and sewer reserve fund at December 31, 2025, down from $5,467,044
Reserve funds (money set aside for later use) fell from $5,722,181 to $4,810,394. In 2025 $1,525,012 was moved from reserve funds to operations, after none in 2024. The water and sewer fund fell from $5,467,044 to $4,494,741. The reconciliation of the budget shows "Use of reserves" of $1,490,679 planned, so the use itself was planned.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
$1,806,042from the Government of Canada in 2025, against $280,688 in 2024
Money from the Government of Canada recorded as revenue jumped from $280,688 to $1,806,042. The Town explains why in its notes: it records some federal money as revenue only when it is spent, and spending of Canada Community Building Fund money went from $23,405 to $1,067,670. The stored-up grant money (deferred revenue) fell from $2,074,530 to $735,687, so less is waiting to be used.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
In 2019, Marathon had $6.8M more in cash and money owed to it than it owed to others. By 2025 it was −$15.2M. About 3% of that change ($686K) is a new accounting rule from 2023: towns must now record the future cost of closing things like a landfill. That is not new spending or borrowing. Even leaving that out, only 0 of 9 similar towns are in a weaker position.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 2 sources
Where your tax bill goes
A property tax bill in Marathon pays for the town and schools. Only part of it goes to the town, and that part is what Marathon council controls.
Tax bill split: Marathon 93%, Schools 7%
$6.4Mraised in 2025
Marathon93%
Schools7%
How Marathon's share of the bill compares with similar towns
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