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by hand, Oct 2026DetailsThis is built from public records, which leave a lot out, and some of it may be wrong or out of date.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 McKellar'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 · 7 so far
Things worth asking about
We read McKellar's financial reports and meeting minutes, and compared its numbers with 27 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.
$2,385,505.73planned transfers out of reserves in the 2025 budget, against $499,467.21 planned transfers in
A reserve is money set aside for later. The 2025 budget plans to draw $1,886,038.52 more out of reserves than it puts in (worked out by us). The 2024 budget put in $155,560.66 more than it took out (worked out by us). The Township's own asset plan says reserve contributions have been inconsistent.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 4 sources
$4,486,045.51the 2025 total levy, 14.6% above 2023's $3,915,941.47 (worked out by us)
The levy was $3,915,941.47 in 2023, $4,163,575.48 in 2024 and $4,486,045.51 in 2025. Each budget says it includes a growth amount and a rate increase (6.323% for 2024 and 5.65% for 2025).
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
$1,498,568municipal debt at December 31, 2024, up from $799,192
Municipal debt rose from $799,192 to $1,498,568 after a new $800,000 loan from Infrastructure Ontario at 4.25%. Cash at year end was $5,935,718, and the Township had an unused $800,000 bank credit line. Principal and interest due in 2025 are $324,624 (worked out by us), against $132,311 paid in 2024.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 4 sources
August 19, 2025the date of the auditor's report on the newest statements listed
On October 10, 2026 the financial page listed 2024 as the newest audited statements and "Approved 2025 Budget - May 6, 2025" as the newest budget. Every statements and budget file we opened was a scanned image with no text.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
6.323%the 2024 tax increase as printed, beside $171,327.90 (4.4% of the 2023 levy, worked out by us)
The 2024 levy table prints "6.323% Tax Increase" beside $171,327.90. That dollar amount is 4.4% of the 2023 levy of $3,915,941.47 (worked out by us). The 2025 table's 5.65% does fit its dollars: $240,036.46 is 5.65% of 2024 levy plus growth (worked out by us).
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
$1,182,721cash spent on capital assets in 2024, against a capital budget of $3,181,009.87
The 2024 budget planned $3,181,009.87 for capital projects. The cash flow statement shows $1,182,721 spent on capital assets, and government transfers came in at $1,276,848 against a budget of $2,140,954. The 2025 capital budget is $6,601,265.84.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 4 sources
June 4, 2024when the 2024 budget by-law passed in open council
By-law 2025-20 had its first and second readings on April 15, 2025 and passed on May 6, 2025. By-law 2024-44 had its first and second readings on May 21, 2024 and passed on June 4, 2024.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
$2,385,505.73planned transfers out of reserves in the 2025 budget, against $499,467.21 planned transfers in
A reserve is money set aside for later. The 2025 budget plans to draw $1,886,038.52 more out of reserves than it puts in (worked out by us). The 2024 budget put in $155,560.66 more than it took out (worked out by us). The Township's own asset plan says reserve contributions have been inconsistent.
Why it matters
Reserves are what a small township uses for big repairs and as the local share of grants. A large draw may reflect a project being finished, but residents should know how much is left and when it is rebuilt.
It could be because…
Reserves exist to be spent. The 2025 capital budget is $6,601,265.84, about double 2024's, so a big draw may match planned projects.
Grants cover most of the capital plan: the 2025 capital revenue line is $5,762,568.17.
Budgeted projects may slip to a later year, in which case the draw would not happen.
Questions you could ask
What is the balance of each reserve today, and how much will be left after the 2025 draw?
Which projects need the $2,385,505.73, and have they been started?
Has council adopted the plan's advice to set regular yearly reserve contributions?
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 McKellar?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Schedule A to by-law 2025-20 shows the Schedule of Reserves total: Transfer From $2,385,505.73 and Transfer To $499,467.21. TOTAL CAPITAL is revenue $5,762,568.17 and expenditure $6,601,265.84.
Schedule A to by-law 2024-44 shows Transfer From $789,918.29 and Transfer To $945,478.95. TOTAL CAPITAL is revenue $2,244,838.59 and expenditure $3,181,009.87.
The asset plan says "The municipality relies heavily on property taxes and grants, with reserve contributions being inconsistent and limited in size." It adds that "in 2023, several reserve contributions were withdrawn within the same year, leaving balances largely unchanged."
The plan puts the replacement value of the Township's infrastructure at "$58.53 million" and says capital demand over the next 10 years "will significantly exceed available funding under current practices".
$4,486,045.51the 2025 total levy, 14.6% above 2023's $3,915,941.47 (worked out by us)
The levy was $3,915,941.47 in 2023, $4,163,575.48 in 2024 and $4,486,045.51 in 2025. Each budget says it includes a growth amount and a rate increase (6.323% for 2024 and 5.65% for 2025).
Why it matters
The levy is the part of the budget that residents and businesses pay through property tax. Two increases in a row compound.
It could be because…
Part of the rise is new buildings: the budgets list growth-related tax of $76,306.11 (2024) and $82,433.57 (2025).
The asset plan says capital and reserve funding needs to grow, and a levy increase is one way to pay for it.
Costs outside the Township's control, such as county and policing bills, may have risen. We did not find the Township's own list of reasons.
Questions you could ask
What are the main reasons for the 2024 and 2025 increases, in dollars?
What increase does council expect for 2026, and is the 2026 budget available?
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 McKellar?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
The 2024 levy table reads: 2023 Tax Levy $3,915,941.47; 2024 Growth Related Tax $76,306.11; 6.323% Tax Increase $171,327.90; Total Levy $4,163,575.48.
The 2025 levy table reads: 2024 Tax Levy $4,163,575.48; 2024 Growth Related Tax $82,433.57; 5.65% Tax Increase $240,036.46; Total Levy $4,486,045.51. The levy for operating $3,585,440.43, for capital $838,697.67 and for infrastructure and assets $61,907.42 are listed above it.
$1,498,568municipal debt at December 31, 2024, up from $799,192
Municipal debt rose from $799,192 to $1,498,568 after a new $800,000 loan from Infrastructure Ontario at 4.25%. Cash at year end was $5,935,718, and the Township had an unused $800,000 bank credit line. Principal and interest due in 2025 are $324,624 (worked out by us), against $132,311 paid in 2024.
Why it matters
Debt is repaid from taxes. Residents can fairly ask why the Township borrowed when it held cash, and what the loan paid for.
It could be because…
Much of the cash may be reserve money, grants held for specific projects or unpaid bills, and so not free to spend.
The Township earned $217,204 in interest income in 2024, so borrowing at 4.25% may have cost little against what idle cash earns.
A fixed-rate loan can lock in a cost for a project that grants do not fully cover.
Questions you could ask
What did the $800,000 loan pay for, and could reserves or the credit line have covered it?
Does council plan more borrowing for the 2025 capital program?
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 McKellar?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
The statement of financial position shows Cash and cash equivalents of $5,935,718 (2023: $3,834,304) and Municipal debt of $1,498,568 (2023: $799,192).
The cash flow statement shows Proceeds of municipal debt of $800,000, Debt principal repayments of $(100,624), Acquisition of tangible capital assets of $(1,182,721) and Interest income received of $217,204.
Note 7 lists an Infrastructure Ontario loan "due August 2029, repayable in semi-annual principal payments of $80,000 and interest calculated at 4.25%" with a balance of $800,000. Payments due in 2025 are principal $264,014 and interest $60,610. The Township's yearly debt payment limit is $1,129,369.
Note 8 says the Township has a credit facility with a bank of $800,000 (2023: $800,000), of which NIL was used at the end of the year, payable on demand at the rate of prime.
August 19, 2025the date of the auditor's report on the newest statements listed
On October 10, 2026 the financial page listed 2024 as the newest audited statements and "Approved 2025 Budget - May 6, 2025" as the newest budget. Every statements and budget file we opened was a scanned image with no text.
Why it matters
Residents cannot judge this year's budget or last year's results if they are not posted. A picture cannot be searched, copied or read aloud by a screen reader, which also makes it harder to use for people with vision loss.
It could be because…
The 2025 audit may not be finished, or council may not have approved it yet.
The 2026 budget may not have been adopted or posted yet, as budgets here have been adopted between May and July.
The files may be scans because the signed copies were scanned, and a text version may be available on request.
Questions you could ask
When will the 2025 audited statements and the 2026 budget be posted?
Will the Township post text versions of its statements and budgets?
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 McKellar?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Among the documents listed are "Township of McKellar Consolidated Financial Statements - December 31, 2024", "Approved 2025 Budget - May 6, 2025" and "Approved 2024 Budget - June 5, 2024", with older budgets and statements. We found no 2025 statements and no 2026 budget.
The independent auditors' report says the statements "present fairly, in all material respects" the financial position at December 31, 2024. It is dated Huntsville, Ontario, August 19, 2025.
6.323%the 2024 tax increase as printed, beside $171,327.90 (4.4% of the 2023 levy, worked out by us)
The 2024 levy table prints "6.323% Tax Increase" beside $171,327.90. That dollar amount is 4.4% of the 2023 levy of $3,915,941.47 (worked out by us). The 2025 table's 5.65% does fit its dollars: $240,036.46 is 5.65% of 2024 levy plus growth (worked out by us).
Why it matters
Residents compare the percent they hear with the dollars they pay. When the two do not match, people cannot tell what the percent was applied to.
It could be because…
The 6.323% may be the rate increase on one part of the levy, or on the residential rate, and not on the whole levy.
The percent may have been worked out before final changes to the levy were made.
It may be a typing error in the table.
Questions you could ask
What base was the 6.323% worked out on, and what was the tax increase for a typical home in 2024?
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 McKellar?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
"6.323% Tax Increase" is printed beside $171,327.90, between "2024 Growth Related Tax" $76,306.11 and Total Levy $4,163,575.48. The 2023 Tax Levy is printed as $3,915,941.47.
$1,182,721cash spent on capital assets in 2024, against a capital budget of $3,181,009.87
The 2024 budget planned $3,181,009.87 for capital projects. The cash flow statement shows $1,182,721 spent on capital assets, and government transfers came in at $1,276,848 against a budget of $2,140,954. The 2025 capital budget is $6,601,265.84.
Why it matters
A budget that is mostly not spent leaves projects waiting and makes the next year's plan harder. The grants for a project often arrive only when the work is done.
It could be because…
Grant-funded projects often start late in the year or carry into the next, so both the grant income and the spending fall short of the budget together.
The capital budget may include spending on assets under construction that is counted another way in the statements.
Total expenses in 2024 were $442,135 below budget (worked out by us), which suggests ordinary under-spending and not a problem.
Questions you could ask
Which 2024 capital projects were not finished, and are they in the 2025 budget again?
Does the Township keep a list of grant-funded projects with their start and finish dates?
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 McKellar?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
TOTAL CAPITAL in Schedule A to by-law 2024-44 is revenue $2,244,838.59 and expenditure $3,181,009.87.
The statement of operations shows Government transfers of $2,140,954 (budget 2024) and $1,276,848 (actual 2024), and total expenses of $5,835,558 (budget) and $5,393,423 (actual).
June 4, 2024when the 2024 budget by-law passed in open council
By-law 2025-20 had its first and second readings on April 15, 2025 and passed on May 6, 2025. By-law 2024-44 had its first and second readings on May 21, 2024 and passed on June 4, 2024.
Why it matters
Until the budget passes, the Township spends under last year's plan and bills interim taxes. The yearly plan reaches residents when part of the year is over.
It could be because…
Small northern townships often wait for provincial grant and county levy figures before setting rates.
Interim tax bills, based on the year before, keep money coming in until the budget passes.
Council may review the budget in several meetings, so the passing date is only the last step.
Questions you could ask
What date does the Township aim for to adopt its budget each year?
What does the Township spend before the budget passes, and who approves 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 McKellar?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
By-law 2025-20, "Being A By-Law to Adopt the Estimates of All Sums Required During the Year 2025 (Yearly Budget)": "READ a FIRST and SECOND time this 15th day of April, 2025" and "READ a THIRD time and PASSED in OPEN COUNCIL this 6th day of May, 2025."
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