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by hand, Oct 2026DetailsThis is built from public records, which leave a lot out, and some of it may be wrong or out of date.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 Mattice - Val Cote'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 · 8 so far
Things worth asking about
We read Mattice - Val Cote's financial reports and meeting minutes, and compared its numbers with 19 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.
$148,871asset retirement obligations recorded at December 31, 2025, which the auditor could not confirm
An auditor's opinion says whether the statements can be trusted. The auditor's report on the 2025 statements is "qualified": it says the statements present fairly "except for" one matter. The matter is the Township's asset retirement obligations, which means the estimated cost of cleaning up or closing things it owns, such as the landfill, buildings with asbestos and monitoring wells. The Township recorded $148,871. The auditor says it could not get enough evidence to check that number, and says the 2024 opinion was qualified for the same reason.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
$281,775collected from sewer and water rates in 2025, against a budget of $316,839
In 2025 the Township budgeted $316,839 from sewer and water rates and collected $281,775 (the gap is $35,064, worked out by us). The costs of the sewer system and the waterworks were $80,912 and $346,412 in the statements. Those costs include amortization (the yearly wear on the pipes and plant, which is not a cash cost); without it, the two systems cost $306,313 (worked out by us), still more than the fees collected. The Township's own asset report recommends putting $48,000 a year of water and sewer fees toward capital work in 2026. Council set 2026 water rates on May 5, 2026, and its September 1, 2026 minutes say council members will meet on September 15 to discuss water and sewer rates.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 7 sources
$35,945fees and service charges in 2025, against a budget of $104,420
The statements show "Fees and service charges" of $35,945 in 2025, against a budget of $104,420 and $93,167 in 2024. One line in the revenue analysis, "Landfill tipping fees", was $68,458 in 2024 and nothing in 2025 or in the budget. The landfill has an estimated 34% of its capacity left. On September 1, 2026 Council confirmed an agreement to let an outside company bring excess or contaminated soil from an industrial site to the municipal landfill in late July, on conditions similar to those agreed in the past. We did not find what, if anything, the Township charges for this.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 4 sources
$143,000spent on the community hall renovations by January 15, 2025, with the funding almost used up
On January 15, 2025, Council's minutes say the community hall renovations had cost a little over $143,000, that remaining funding was a little under $7,000, and that many renovations were made "over and above what had originally been planned". Council then set aside $8,000 before taxes for new hall signage. The minutes do not give the original plan, the final cost or where the money came from.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 1 source
$3,178,4282026 budget revenues and expenditures, adopted May 5, 2026
Council adopted the 2025 budget on May 15, 2025 ($3,193,844 in revenues and expenditures) and the 2026 budget on May 5, 2026 ($3,178,428), with tax rates and water rates set at the same meeting. Until then the Township collects tax under an interim levy by-law passed in January. The Township's budget page explains its process, but the 2026 budget posted there is a scanned image with no readable text.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 4 sources
$1,006,000reserves set aside by Council in the 2025 statements, up from $508,383
The 2025 statements list reserves set aside by Council of $1,006,000, up from $508,383 the year before. On May 5, 2026, four months after year end, Council voted to direct parts of the 2025 surplus into six reserve funds, and approved the statements "subject to" those transfers. The six amounts add to $497,617 (worked out by us), which is the increase. The "General surplus - Municipality" balance fell from $1,079,281 to $811,398 over the same year. The total accumulated surplus does not change; money moved from one pocket to another.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
20 of 21regular meetings read, from January 2025 to September 2026, ended with a closed meeting (worked out by us)
In the minutes we could read, from January 15, 2025 to September 1, 2026, Council held a closed meeting at 20 of its 21 regular meetings (worked out by us from the minutes; the April 14, 2025 minutes would not download). The reasons given include litigation, labour relations and land. Council resumes the public meeting afterward and adopts the closed minutes in public, but the closed discussions are not described.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
August 17, 2026date of the Integrity Commissioner report that Council received on September 1, 2026
Council's September 1, 2026 minutes record that it received an Integrity Commissioner report dated August 17, 2026. In the same resolution, Council reaffirmed its expectations for respectful relations between Council and staff and for the separation between Council's role in governance and the day-to-day running of the Township, and asked for ongoing training for Council. We did not find the report posted on the Township's website.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 1 source
$148,871asset retirement obligations recorded at December 31, 2025, which the auditor could not confirm
An auditor's opinion says whether the statements can be trusted. The auditor's report on the 2025 statements is "qualified": it says the statements present fairly "except for" one matter. The matter is the Township's asset retirement obligations, which means the estimated cost of cleaning up or closing things it owns, such as the landfill, buildings with asbestos and monitoring wells. The Township recorded $148,871. The auditor says it could not get enough evidence to check that number, and says the 2024 opinion was qualified for the same reason.
Why it matters
A qualified opinion is a signal that one number in the statements could not be checked. If the real clean-up cost is higher, the Township would be underestimating a bill that will come due, and the cost would fall on future taxpayers.
It could be because…
A small township may not have an engineer's estimate for clean-up costs, and getting one costs money. The auditor can only test what is supported by evidence.
The amount is small next to the Township's total assets, so the qualification may not change how the statements read overall.
The Township may be waiting for new landfill studies. The notes say the last capacity study is dated December 9, 2019.
Questions you could ask
What evidence does the auditor need to remove the qualification, and what would it cost to provide it?
When will the Township update its landfill study, last dated December 9, 2019?
Does the Township expect the recorded $148,871 to rise once the estimate is supported?
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 Mattice - Val Cote?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Independent auditor's report, Basis for Qualified Opinion: the carrying value of the asset retirement obligations is $148,871 (2024 - $147,851). The auditor was "unable to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence" about the carrying amount. "Our opinion on the financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2024 was also modified for this qualification." The report is dated May 5, 2026.
Note 11, Asset retirement obligations: balance at the beginning of the year $147,851, accretion expense 1,020, balance at the end of the year $148,871. The note covers the landfill, asbestos in buildings, and septic systems and monitoring wells. For the landfill it says the most recent capacity study was in a report dated December 9, 2019, and the estimated remaining capacity is 34% with an estimated remaining life of approximately 15 years.
$281,775collected from sewer and water rates in 2025, against a budget of $316,839
In 2025 the Township budgeted $316,839 from sewer and water rates and collected $281,775 (the gap is $35,064, worked out by us). The costs of the sewer system and the waterworks were $80,912 and $346,412 in the statements. Those costs include amortization (the yearly wear on the pipes and plant, which is not a cash cost); without it, the two systems cost $306,313 (worked out by us), still more than the fees collected. The Township's own asset report recommends putting $48,000 a year of water and sewer fees toward capital work in 2026. Council set 2026 water rates on May 5, 2026, and its September 1, 2026 minutes say council members will meet on September 15 to discuss water and sewer rates.
Why it matters
If fees do not cover the cost of the systems, the difference is paid from general property taxes or from savings, and little is left to replace worn-out equipment. The Township's asset report lists the wastewater pumping station as past the end of its expected life.
It could be because…
The Township may deliberately charge less than full cost for water and sewer and cover the rest from taxes or provincial grants.
Some of the gap may be a number of connections or usage lower than expected when the budget was set; the 2026 rates may already close it.
The budget leaves out amortization on purpose (the statements say so), so the cash gap is smaller than the full-cost gap.
Questions you could ask
What share of the cost of the water and sewer systems do user fees cover, with and without amortization?
What will the September 15, 2026 discussion decide, and will the new rates be published before the election?
Is the Township setting money aside for the wastewater pumping station that its asset report rates "Very Poor"?
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 Mattice - Val Cote?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Analysis of revenues: "Sewer and water rates" budget $316,839, actual 2025 281,775, actual 2024 270,286.
Analysis of expenses, environmental services. Sanitary sewer system total: budget 47,395, actual 2025 80,912, actual 2024 96,006, including amortization of 47,262. Waterworks system total: budget 294,005, actual 2025 346,412, actual 2024 329,513, including amortization of 73,749.
$35,945fees and service charges in 2025, against a budget of $104,420
The statements show "Fees and service charges" of $35,945 in 2025, against a budget of $104,420 and $93,167 in 2024. One line in the revenue analysis, "Landfill tipping fees", was $68,458 in 2024 and nothing in 2025 or in the budget. The landfill has an estimated 34% of its capacity left. On September 1, 2026 Council confirmed an agreement to let an outside company bring excess or contaminated soil from an industrial site to the municipal landfill in late July, on conditions similar to those agreed in the past. We did not find what, if anything, the Township charges for this.
Why it matters
Landfill space is limited and costly to replace. If outside material uses it up, or if it is taken without a fee that covers the cost, local residents carry the cost.
It could be because…
The 2024 tipping fees may have been a one-time item, which would explain why none were budgeted for 2025.
Landfill income may now be recorded in another line, such as "Sales and other".
The agreement may include a fee or other conditions that Council discussed in a closed meeting or in earlier minutes we could not read.
Questions you could ask
What did the Township charge for the soil brought to the landfill in July 2026, and how much landfill space did it use?
What explains the drop in fees and service charges from 2024 to 2025, and where are the landfill tipping fees recorded?
Are the conditions of the earlier agreements, and any fees received, available to residents?
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 Mattice - Val Cote?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Consolidated statement of operations: Fees and service charges, budget $104,420, actual 2025 35,945, actual 2024 93,167.
Analysis of revenues, other revenues: "Landfill tipping fees" budget -, actual 2025 -, actual 2024 68,458. "Sales and other" budget 20,844, actual 2025 19,817, actual 2024 12,856.
Note 11, landfill: estimated remaining capacity of the landfill site is 34% of its total estimated capacity and its estimated remaining life is approximately 15 years; the most recent capacity study is in a report dated December 9, 2019.
Resolution 26-145 (Agreement with an outside company): Council "confirms its decision to allow" the company "to transport, in late July, excess or contaminated soil from" an industrial site "to the municipal landfill and to enter into an agreement with the latter with conditions similar to those that were agreed to in the past." The minutes print no fee.
$143,000spent on the community hall renovations by January 15, 2025, with the funding almost used up
On January 15, 2025, Council's minutes say the community hall renovations had cost a little over $143,000, that remaining funding was a little under $7,000, and that many renovations were made "over and above what had originally been planned". Council then set aside $8,000 before taxes for new hall signage. The minutes do not give the original plan, the final cost or where the money came from.
Why it matters
A project that grows beyond its plan is a common way for small towns to spend more than residents expect. The public record we found does not show the original budget or the final cost.
It could be because…
Extra work may have been paid for by grants or donations that were available for exactly this purpose.
Extra work found while renovating an older building is common and may have been needed to meet safety rules.
The original plan may have been approved in 2024 minutes that are not posted, and the total may already be explained there.
Questions you could ask
What was the original approved budget for the community hall renovations, and what was the final cost?
Which grants, donations or reserves paid for the work, and who approved the additions?
Was the hall's signage cost of $8,000 before taxes tendered or quoted?
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 Mattice - Val Cote?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Resolution 25-09: "WHEREAS the expenses incurred for the community hall renovations currently total a little over ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY-THREE THOUSAND ($143,000.00) DOLLARS"; "the remaining available funding amounts to a little less than SEVEN THOUSAND ($7,000.00) DOLLARS"; "many renovations were made to the community hall over and above what had originally been planned"; "the sum of EIGHT THOUSAND ($8,000.00) DOLLARS, before taxes, be allocated to community hall signage requirements."
$3,178,4282026 budget revenues and expenditures, adopted May 5, 2026
Council adopted the 2025 budget on May 15, 2025 ($3,193,844 in revenues and expenditures) and the 2026 budget on May 5, 2026 ($3,178,428), with tax rates and water rates set at the same meeting. Until then the Township collects tax under an interim levy by-law passed in January. The Township's budget page explains its process, but the 2026 budget posted there is a scanned image with no readable text.
Why it matters
A budget approved in May means the first months of spending happen before residents or Council see a full budget. A scanned budget cannot be searched or read by screen readers.
It could be because…
Small northern townships often wait for the province's funding announcement and the audited statements before finalizing a budget.
The interim levy by-law is a normal legal tool for collecting tax in the first part of the year.
Questions you could ask
Can the budget be adopted earlier, or at least posted in a readable form before it is adopted?
Will the Township post a text version of the 2026 budget and the May 2025 financial report?
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 Mattice - Val Cote?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Resolution 26-82: "the 2026 Budget, with revenues and expenditures totaling $3,178,428, be hereby approved as circulated." Council also adopted By-law no. 1049 (tax rates) and By-law no. 1050 (water rates) at this meeting.
Resolution 26-12: By-law no. 1036, "a By-law authorizing a tax levy before the adoption of the estimates for the year 2026", adopted on January 20, 2026.
Note 17, Budget amounts: the budget "was prepared on a cash flow basis", and "Budgets figure have not been audited." Budgeted annual deficit $(13,311); tangible capital assets expenses 733,480; budgeted annual surplus per financial statements $720,169.
$1,006,000reserves set aside by Council in the 2025 statements, up from $508,383
The 2025 statements list reserves set aside by Council of $1,006,000, up from $508,383 the year before. On May 5, 2026, four months after year end, Council voted to direct parts of the 2025 surplus into six reserve funds, and approved the statements "subject to" those transfers. The six amounts add to $497,617 (worked out by us), which is the increase. The "General surplus - Municipality" balance fell from $1,079,281 to $811,398 over the same year. The total accumulated surplus does not change; money moved from one pocket to another.
Why it matters
Residents reading the statements might think the Township saved $497,617 more in 2025. Most of the change is a decision made later about how to label existing surplus.
It could be because…
Council may set reserves each spring once the year's surplus is known; this is a common and sensible practice.
The statements say the transfers were approved by Council, so the auditor may treat them as part of the year-end picture.
Questions you could ask
Which reserves existed at December 31, 2025 before Council's May 5, 2026 vote?
What are the planned uses of the new mobile equipment reserve of $300,000?
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 Mattice - Val Cote?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Note 13, Accumulated surplus: reserves set aside for specific purposes by the Council total 1,006,000 (2024: 508,383), including Mobile equipment 300,000 (2024: 50,000), Landfill site 225,000 and Water & sewer 181,000. General surplus - Municipality 811,398 (2024: 1,079,281).
Resolution 26-83 directs parts of the 2025 accumulated surplus to reserve funds: $18,226.00 to Economic Development, $75,000.00 to Facilities, $54, 391.00 to Landfill site, $250,000.00 to Mobile equipment, $50,000.00 to Streets, roads & bridges and $50,000.00 to Water & Sewer. Resolution 26-84 approves the 2025 statements "subject to the amounts transferred from the projected accumulated surplus to the various reserve funds".
20 of 21regular meetings read, from January 2025 to September 2026, ended with a closed meeting (worked out by us)
In the minutes we could read, from January 15, 2025 to September 1, 2026, Council held a closed meeting at 20 of its 21 regular meetings (worked out by us from the minutes; the April 14, 2025 minutes would not download). The reasons given include litigation, labour relations and land. Council resumes the public meeting afterward and adopts the closed minutes in public, but the closed discussions are not described.
Why it matters
Closed meetings are allowed for a short list of reasons. A habit of closing every meeting makes it harder for residents to see what Council is working on, especially with an election on October 26, 2026.
It could be because…
A township with few staff may have regular labour and legal matters that must be handled privately.
Council adopts the minutes of earlier closed meetings in public, and each resolution we read states a reason.
Questions you could ask
Will Council say more in public, after each closed meeting, about the topic and the outcome?
Who is the Township's closed meeting investigator, and where is that named for residents?
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 Mattice - Val Cote?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Resolution 25-38: "BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council go into a closed meeting at 7:57 to discuss litigation or potential litigation."
Closed meeting at 9:25 pm "to adopt the minutes of a closed meeting and to discuss labour relations" and other reasons, including "information supplied in confidence by another level of government".
August 17, 2026date of the Integrity Commissioner report that Council received on September 1, 2026
Council's September 1, 2026 minutes record that it received an Integrity Commissioner report dated August 17, 2026. In the same resolution, Council reaffirmed its expectations for respectful relations between Council and staff and for the separation between Council's role in governance and the day-to-day running of the Township, and asked for ongoing training for Council. We did not find the report posted on the Township's website.
Why it matters
An Integrity Commissioner's report is an outside check on how council members act. Residents can only judge it if they can read it, and a general election is five weeks away.
It could be because…
The report may be a general or advice report rather than one about a specific complaint, and the Township may post it later.
Parts of a report can be kept private to protect people involved; the Township may publish a summary.
Questions you could ask
Will the Township post the August 17, 2026 report, or a summary of it, before the October 26, 2026 election?
Does the Township have a standing Integrity Commissioner, and where is the code of conduct posted?
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 Mattice - Val Cote?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Resolution 26-148: Council "hereby receive the Integrity Commissioner Report dated August 17th 2026" and "reaffirms the expectations for respectful Council-staff relations and the separation between Council's governance role and municipal administration", with "ongoing training" to be provided to Council.
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