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by hand, Oct 2026DetailsThis is built from public records, which leave a lot out, and some of it may be wrong or out of date.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 Mattawa'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.
Questions · 12 so far
Things worth asking about
We read Mattawa's financial reports and meeting minutes, and compared its numbers with 18 similar Ontario towns. These are the things that stood out.
What these are, and what they are not. A question here means a number or practice is unusual, or harder to see than it should be. It does not mean anyone did anything wrong. Most unusual numbers turn out to have ordinary explanations, and every question lists some. The only way to know is to ask.
Worth asking
Worth asking
There may well be a good reason. It is still worth asking what it is.
$5,604,116owing on the term loan that matures June 30, 2027, at December 31, 2025
The Town has one large term loan that stops being paid down in small steps and comes due on June 30, 2027. At the end of 2025 the Town had $122,119 in cash. Staff told Council in April 2026 that, with this debt, the Town "may not have any borrowing capacity". We could not find a published plan for repaying or renewing the loan.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 4 sources
$500K to $700Kstaff's estimate to replace the ice-making equipment and cement pad, before tax and not in the 2026 budget
Staff told Council in April 2026 that the arena's ice-making equipment is past its useful life and is leaking. A replacement is expected to cost $500,000 to $700,000 before tax, and none of that money is in the 2026 budget. The Town plans to ask a provincial fund for help and has said it may not be able to borrow.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
$499,470borrowed on a $500,000 credit line at December 31, 2025 (and the same at December 31, 2024)
At the end of both 2024 and 2025 the Town had used $499,470 of its $500,000 bank credit line. In June 2026 staff said the Town's bank had no interest in lending more and that a second bank had offered a $2,000,000 line. Council voted to move its banking and to ask staff for a borrowing by-law. The reason for the larger line is not spelled out in the documents we read.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 4 sources
$930,797total reserves at December 31, 2025, down from $1,232,084 a year earlier
The Town's reserves (money set aside for later) fell from $1,232,084 to $930,797 in 2025, and its general surplus turned into a deficit of $130,537. Staff say they used reserves to offset expenses, which meant lower shared landfill fees.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
$1,061,888the Town's recorded share of the care-home rebuild commitment at December 31, 2025
The 2025 statements say the Town's share of the Cassellholme long-term care home rebuild should have been counted as a debt in earlier years. They corrected 2024 by adding $1,016,159 of debt. The statements put the debt at $1,061,888 at the end of 2025, while the 2026 budget report refers to about $1.8 million for the same commitment.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
$1,561,124provincial grants and transfers in 2025, out of $6,614,423 total revenue
Provincial grants and transfers were $1,561,124 of the Town's $6,614,423 in revenue in 2025. In April 2026 staff listed several funding streams and contracts that end in 2026 or 2027, including a $136,000-a-year payment being cut by half in 2026 and ended in 2027.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
Towns keep savings (called reserves) to pay for new trucks, roof repairs and surprises. Mattawa had $931K saved at the end of 2025, down from $2.3M in 2019. That is 14% of one year's spending. None of the 18 similar towns had less, compared with what they spend.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 2 sources
At the end of 2025, $1.9M of property tax had been billed but not paid. That is 68% of everything billed. None of the 18 similar towns had a higher share. A year earlier it was $1.5M.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 2 sources
June 8, 2026the day Council passed the 2026 tax rate by-law
Council approved the 2026 budget in principle in April 2026, but the by-law to adopt it was voted down on May 19, 2026, then passed on reconsideration on May 25, 2026. The tax by-laws were passed on June 8, 2026. Staff explained that work on the budget began late at the Mayor's request so it would be a staff budget and not a Mayor's budget under strong mayor powers.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 5 sources
In 2019, Mattawa had $546K more in cash and money owed to it than it owed to others. By 2025 it was −$7.2M. About 3% of that change ($266K) 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 1 of 18 similar towns are in a weaker position.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 2 sources
$5,604,116owing on the term loan that matures June 30, 2027, at December 31, 2025
The Town has one large term loan that stops being paid down in small steps and comes due on June 30, 2027. At the end of 2025 the Town had $122,119 in cash. Staff told Council in April 2026 that, with this debt, the Town "may not have any borrowing capacity". We could not find a published plan for repaying or renewing the loan.
Why it matters
A loan that comes due all at once has to be paid, renewed or replaced. If a lender will not renew it on the same terms, the cost can land on taxpayers or on water and sewer rates. The same debt is also the Town's answer to how it built seniors housing, so any plan to hand that housing to another group matters here too.
It could be because…
Municipal term loans are often renewed at the end of their term. A bank can roll the balance into a new loan.
The Town may be planning to pay it down with grants or with money from transferring the seniors housing to a non-profit group.
Council may have discussed the plan in closed session, which we cannot see.
Questions you could ask
What is the plan for the $5,604,116 term loan that matures on June 30, 2027: renew, refinance, repay from other money, or something else?
If Rosemount Valley Suites is moved to a non-profit group, who will take over the loan, and will the Town still guarantee or pay any of it?
Has the lender said whether it will renew the loan, and on what terms?
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 Mattawa?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
The notes list this term loan: "repayable in interest-only instalments of $15,938 at the fixed rate of 3.39% until June 30, 2025 followed by monthly instalments of $22,316, including interest at the fixed rate of 3.39%, maturing June 30, 2027" with a balance of $5,604,116 (2024: $5,641,906). The five-year table of principal due shows 2027 $5,743,951, against 2026 $291,960 and 2028 $118,068. The balance of the loan is worked out by us to be most of the 2027 amount.
In the 2026 budget report staff wrote: "With our existing debt load (especially the Seniors Housing, $5.6 million), capital projects about to be underway, the liability recorded on our balance sheet due to the capital commitment to Cassellholme (~$1.8 million) and the annual repayment limit imposed by MMAH, we may not have any borrowing capacity." The report does not say which statement line is the "Seniors Housing" loan. We think it is the large term loan in the statements, but that is our reading, not something the Town states.
Council passed a motion to authorize consultants to prepare a detailed transition plan for Rosemount Valley Suites, a plan meant to "support the transfer and long-term sustainability of the project". The minutes do not say what would happen to the debt.
$500K to $700Kstaff's estimate to replace the ice-making equipment and cement pad, before tax and not in the 2026 budget
Staff told Council in April 2026 that the arena's ice-making equipment is past its useful life and is leaking. A replacement is expected to cost $500,000 to $700,000 before tax, and none of that money is in the 2026 budget. The Town plans to ask a provincial fund for help and has said it may not be able to borrow.
Why it matters
The arena is a main public building. If the equipment fails there may be no ice next winter, and a loan or a tax increase to replace it would reach residents in 2027 and after.
It could be because…
The Town is doing the right thing by naming the risk in public and applying for a grant first.
A short-term repair may get the arena through another season, as staff hoped.
The grant could cover most of the cost: the report works out the Town's share at far less if the grant is approved.
Questions you could ask
Has the grant application been sent, and when will the Town hear back?
If the grant is not approved, what will Council do: borrow, raise taxes, use reserves, or go without ice?
How is the Town watching the leak while it waits, and what is the plan if the ice cannot be made?
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 Mattawa?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Staff wrote: "The ice making infrastructure is beyond useful life. The brine is leaking worse than ever and it is unknown whether we will make another season." They said the project "is expected to be in the $500K - $700K range" and that repairs would be "under $10,000 (included in budget)" if the brine "plugging" fix worked.
Staff wrote: "none of the amounts below have been included in the budget. As stated above, we will apply to NOHFC funding. If unsuccessful, we will seek Council's direction as to whether we should approach our banker, Infrastructure Ontario or other lender." They added that financing charges "would be minimal in 2026" but that significant charges "would affect 2027 and future years".
$499,470borrowed on a $500,000 credit line at December 31, 2025 (and the same at December 31, 2024)
At the end of both 2024 and 2025 the Town had used $499,470 of its $500,000 bank credit line. In June 2026 staff said the Town's bank had no interest in lending more and that a second bank had offered a $2,000,000 line. Council voted to move its banking and to ask staff for a borrowing by-law. The reason for the larger line is not spelled out in the documents we read.
Why it matters
A line of credit is borrowing that is meant to be repaid soon. Using nearly all of it at year-end, and then asking for four times as much, can mean cash is tight or that the Town is paying for projects before grant money arrives.
It could be because…
Large capital projects (Main Street, the bridge and the reservoir) are paid for first and refunded by grants later. A larger line can bridge that gap.
At the end of 2025 the Town was owed money by other governments (see the evidence), so some of the borrowing may be timing.
Changing banks may also be about lower fees: staff listed nil fees on the operating account as a reason.
Questions you could ask
What will the $2,000,000 line of credit be used for, and how much of it does the Town expect to use at one time?
Why was the current $500,000 line almost fully drawn at both year-ends?
What will it cost in interest, and how will it be repaid?
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 Mattawa?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
"The Town has authorized credit facilities totaling $500,000, which is unsecured. As at December 31, 2025, the Town has utilized $499,470 (2024 - $499,470). The interest is calculated at the bank's prime lending rate."
Amounts owed to the Town by other governments at December 31, 2025 were $221,021 from the federal government and $415,340 from the Province of Ontario, compared with $1,742,948 and $1,768,408 at the end of 2024.
Staff wrote: "Our credit facility is a $500,000 line of credit and a $100,000 credit card limit." They said the current bank "have had no interest in providing us with any additional credit" and that the other local bank offered a "$2,000,000 line of credit". The report says Council passed resolution #24-214 on October 15, 2024 "authorizing the CAO to secure a line of credit up to $2 million". We did not find a statement of what the larger line would be used for.
Council carried Resolution 26-140: "Council approves transitioning banking services to Caisse Alliance. AND FURTHER THAT Council directs staff to bring back a borrowing by-law for a $2,000,000 Line of Credit."
$930,797total reserves at December 31, 2025, down from $1,232,084 a year earlier
The Town's reserves (money set aside for later) fell from $1,232,084 to $930,797 in 2025, and its general surplus turned into a deficit of $130,537. Staff say they used reserves to offset expenses, which meant lower shared landfill fees.
Why it matters
Reserves are a cushion for repairs and surprises. If they are drawn down to pay for yearly costs, the cushion is thinner next time, and the gap shows up later as higher taxes or fees.
It could be because…
The landfill reserve was set up to pay landfill costs, so spending it on the landfill is its purpose.
The landfill reserve ($684,027) is still larger than the landfill closure liability ($180,524) in the statements.
Two neighbouring municipalities share landfill costs, so using the reserve may have eased charges to them too.
Questions you could ask
How much of the $301,287 taken from reserves in 2025 paid for the landfill, and how much paid for other costs?
Does the Town have a plan to rebuild the general surplus and the landfill reserve?
Is there a rule about the lowest level reserves can fall to?
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 Mattawa?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
The accumulated surplus note shows: General $(130,537) in 2025 against $284,826 in 2024; total reserves $930,797 against $1,232,084; landfill closure reserve $684,027 against $979,969. The general surplus note lists "Transfer from reserves 301,287".
The note on the landfill says: "The Town has established an independent landfill reserve of $684,027 (2024 - 979,969) that could be used to mitigate the future impact of these obligations." The landfill asset retirement obligation is $180,524.
Staff's variance table for Council explains the fall in grants and transfers: "did not use funding from fisheries and oceans; used reserves to offset expenes, resulting in lower shared landfill fees". The same package lists "General surplus (deficit) (130,537)" and "Available surplus 800,260" against 1,516,910 the year before.
$1,061,888the Town's recorded share of the care-home rebuild commitment at December 31, 2025
The 2025 statements say the Town's share of the Cassellholme long-term care home rebuild should have been counted as a debt in earlier years. They corrected 2024 by adding $1,016,159 of debt. The statements put the debt at $1,061,888 at the end of 2025, while the 2026 budget report refers to about $1.8 million for the same commitment.
Why it matters
This is a promise to pay for a care home that the Town does not run. It reduces what the Town owns net of what it owes, and the Town has also guaranteed part of the home's loan.
It could be because…
The $1,061,888 is a present value (what the future payments are worth today), while "about $1.8 million" may be the total of the payments. Different measures give different numbers.
This is a new kind of accounting for a shared project. Fixing it once it was spotted, with the auditor's clean opinion, is what should happen.
Questions you could ask
Why does the budget report say about $1.8 million when the audited statements record $1,061,888?
How much will the Town pay each year for the care home, and where in the budget is it?
Why was the debt not counted in earlier years?
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 Mattawa?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
"During the year, the Town identified that a financial liability related to the East Nipissing District Home for the Aged redevelopment commitment should have been recognized in prior periods." Municipal debt for 2024 went from 6,583,322 as previously stated to 7,599,481 restated, a change of 1,016,159, with accumulated surplus reduced by the same amount.
The note says the Town's share is measured as "the present value of these expected payments commencing in 2026 is $1,061,888" (based on 4.41% for 30 years and construction ending in 2028). Another note says the Town's guaranteed share of the home's loan is "$801,969 (1.39%)" of a total construction cost of $57,695,599.
$1,561,124provincial grants and transfers in 2025, out of $6,614,423 total revenue
Provincial grants and transfers were $1,561,124 of the Town's $6,614,423 in revenue in 2025. In April 2026 staff listed several funding streams and contracts that end in 2026 or 2027, including a $136,000-a-year payment being cut by half in 2026 and ended in 2027.
Why it matters
When a steady source of money shrinks, the gap is filled by higher taxes or fees, by cutting services, or by new grants that may not come.
It could be because…
Staff say the northern funding fund is "said to be extended 3 yrs starting 2027", so part of the gap may be filled.
The 2026 budget was set with these changes known, and its tax increase was kept low on purpose.
Questions you could ask
Has the northern funding fund been confirmed for 2027, and for how much?
What is the plan for the part of the $136,000 payment that ends in 2027?
Which agreements ending in 2026 could cost more when they are renewed?
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 Mattawa?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Staff listed under "Agreements that expire in 2026": "NORDS funding expired March 31, 2026 (said to be extended 3 yrs starting 2027)" and "Ontario Tax Minimization Payment (funding of $136K/yr) is being phased out with 50% the amount cut back in 2026 and 100% cutback in 2027." The same list shows the collective agreement, the garbage collection agreement and the landfill operations agreement ending in 2026.
The statement of operations shows "Government grants and transfers - Provincial 1,576,587 1,561,124" (budget and actual for 2025) and "Total revenues 6,647,664 6,614,423".
Towns keep savings (called reserves) to pay for new trucks, roof repairs and surprises. Mattawa had $931K saved at the end of 2025, down from $2.3M in 2019. That is 14% of one year's spending. None of the 18 similar towns had less, compared with what they spend.
Does Mattawa have enough saved for repairs and emergencies?
$0$1.0M$2.0M$3.0M$4.0M
$931K
2019202020212022202320242025
Show as a table
Year
Savings (reserves)
2019
$2.3M
2020
$2.3M
2021
$2.4M
2022
$2.8M
2023
$3.1M
2024
$1.2M
2025
$931K
Why it matters
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.
It could be because…
The town spent savings on purpose, on projects that were planned and saved up for.
Some savings were used to match grant money, which brings in more than it costs.
The town has a plan to rebuild its savings.
Questions you could ask
Does the town have a written reserve policy with a target amount?
What were the savings spent on between 2019 and 2025?
What is the plan to rebuild them, and by 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 Mattawa?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
At the end of 2025, $1.9M of property tax had been billed but not paid. That is 68% of everything billed. None of the 18 similar towns had a higher share. A year earlier it was $1.5M.
Why are so many property taxes unpaid?
$0$500K$1.0M$1.5M$2.0M
$1.9M
2019202020212022202320242025
Show as a table
Year
Unpaid property tax at year end
2019
$496K
2020
$551K
2021
$407K
2022
$623K
2023
$897K
2024
$1.5M
2025
$1.9M
Why it matters
When taxes go unpaid, everyone else carries the cost, and the town may borrow to cover the gap. The Province's financial indicators treat 10% to 15% as a moderate risk and more than 15% as a high risk. Collection is the town's job, so a rising number is worth asking about.
It could be because…
The final tax bill was due late in the year, so some payments simply arrived in January.
A few large properties are in dispute or being sold for back taxes.
Hard times for residents, which the town may be handling with payment plans.
Questions you could ask
How much is more than one year overdue, and from how many properties?
Are the rules for chasing unpaid taxes applied the same way to everyone?
Has the town registered tax arrears certificates on properties about two years behind? If still unpaid a year after that, Ontario law lets the town sell the property.
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 Mattawa?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Taxes receivable: 2019 $496K, 2020 $551K, 2021 $407K, 2022 $623K, 2023 $897K, 2024 $1.5M, 2025 $1.9M. Of the 2025 total, $1.6M was from earlier years.
Mattawa spent about $8,680 per home on long-term debt in 2025. The typical similar town spent $788. Only 1 of 18 similar towns spent more.
Why it matters
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.
It could be because…
Geography: more roads, more snow, a bigger area or a landfill of its own.
Accounting: some towns record the same cost in a different category.
A one-time cost in this year.
Questions you could ask
What makes this cost higher here than in similar towns?
When were the main contracts in this area last put out to competitive tender?
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 Mattawa?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Long-term debt per home: Mattawa $8,680; typical similar town $788; ranked 2nd highest of 19.
June 8, 2026the day Council passed the 2026 tax rate by-law
Council approved the 2026 budget in principle in April 2026, but the by-law to adopt it was voted down on May 19, 2026, then passed on reconsideration on May 25, 2026. The tax by-laws were passed on June 8, 2026. Staff explained that work on the budget began late at the Mayor's request so it would be a staff budget and not a Mayor's budget under strong mayor powers.
Why it matters
Tax rates cannot be set until the budget is adopted, and the Town cannot plan spending without it. Residents may want to know how the delay affected tax bills.
It could be because…
The Town gave its reason: a budget done in February under strong mayor powers would have been a mayor's budget, with Council able to amend it only within 30 days.
A recorded vote that fails and then passes on reconsideration is a normal process, not a breach of any rule.
Interim tax bills may have been sent while the budget was pending. We did not find what the Town did.
Questions you could ask
Were interim tax bills sent for 2026, and when are final bills due?
Did the delay cost the Town anything, such as late interest income or grant timing?
Will the Town start the 2027 budget earlier?
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 Mattawa?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Staff wrote: "Strong Mayor Powers states that a budget delivered in February is a mayor's budget with Council having 30 days to make amendments. At the request of Mayor Bélanger, no work was done on the budget until March/April, ensuring that this is a staff prepared budget for presentation to, and approval by, all of Council."
On April 13, 2026 Council carried Resolution 26-97 approving the 2026 Municipal Operating and Capital Budget and directing the Clerk to bring a by-law "at the regular meeting Monday May 11, 2026". The recorded vote was five for and one against (counted by us from the printed list).
At the meeting of May 19, 2026, the motion to adopt By-Law 26-12, the 2026 Municipal Operating Budget, was "LOST - Recorded vote". Three members voted for and three against (counted by us from the printed list). Council then deferred the tax ratios and tax rate by-laws "until the 2026 operating budget can be approved".
At the meeting of May 25, 2026, Council carried Resolution 26-120 to reconsider the budget by-law and then carried Resolution 26-121 adopting By-Law 26-12. Four members voted for and two against (counted by us from the printed list).
On June 8, 2026 Council carried Resolution 26-141 adopting By-Law 26-13 (tax ratios) and Resolution 26-142 adopting By-Law 26-14 (rate of taxation for 2026).
In 2019, Mattawa had $546K more in cash and money owed to it than it owed to others. By 2025 it was −$7.2M. About 3% of that change ($266K) 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 1 of 18 similar towns are in a weaker position.
Mattawa went from having money in the bank to owing more than it has. What changed?
−$8.0M−$6.0M−$4.0M−$2.0M$0$2.0M
−$7.2M
2019202020212022202320242025
Show as a table
Year
Net financial position
2019
$546K
2020
$867K
2021
−$1.9M
2022
−$4.4M
2023
−$5.3M
2024
−$5.7M
2025
−$7.2M
Why it matters
This number is one of the clearest signs of whether a town is living within its means. The accounting-rule part is a bill that will come due when the landfill closes, not money already spent. The rest is real borrowing and spending of savings.
It could be because…
A new accounting rule (asset retirement obligations, from 2023) added a large future cost to the books all at once.
Borrowing for a planned project, such as sewage lagoons, which is paid back over many years.
Questions you could ask
What is the plan and timeline for paying the landfill closing cost?
Without the accounting change, is the town's position getting better or worse?
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 Mattawa?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Mattawa spent about $977 per home on garbage, dump and recycling in 2025. The typical similar town spent $267. Only 1 of 18 similar towns spent more.
Why it matters
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.
It could be because…
Geography: more roads, more snow, a bigger area or a landfill of its own.
Accounting: some towns record the same cost in a different category.
A one-time cost in this year.
Questions you could ask
What makes this cost higher here than in similar towns?
When were the main contracts in this area last put out to competitive tender?
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 Mattawa?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Garbage, dump and recycling per home: Mattawa $977; typical similar town $267; ranked 2nd highest of 19.
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