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by hand, Oct 2026DetailsThis is built from public records, which leave a lot out, and some of it may be wrong or out of date.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 Montague'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 Montague's financial reports and meeting minutes, and compared its numbers with 30 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.
$5,500,000drawn from OILC in 2025, with the whole amount due in 2026
In 2025 the Township began borrowing from Infrastructure Ontario and Land Corporation (OILC, the province's lending agency) to build a new fire hall and public works building. By December 31, 2025 it had drawn $5,500,000, and the statements list the whole amount as due in 2026. At the same time, its net financial assets (what it holds in cash and money owed to it, minus what it owes) went from $5,493,353 to a debt of $1,770,247. The Township says it plans to refinance on a long-term basis. We did not find the interest rate or the length of the long-term loan in the documents we read.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 5 sources
$8,112,855added to buildings in 2025, against $211,000 listed in the 2025 budget for the new building
The 2025 budget lists $211,000 for the new building, for engineering drawings, and says the cost of borrowing for construction was not yet known. The audited 2025 statements show $8,112,855 added to buildings in 2025 and $8,908,583 spent on capital in all, against a capital figure of $2,085,000 in the statements' budget column. The Township's posted tender results show four bids received by July 16, 2024, from 6,385,650.00 to 7,496,700.00 (we did not match amounts to bidders, because the page prints names and amounts in separate blocks). The budget book itself shows a capital total of $2,721,000, which is not the same as the $2,085,000 in the statements. The statements explain that the budget was not prepared on the same basis as the actual results.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 7 sources
$1,879,700of capital projects listed as unfunded at the end of 2025
The 2025 statements list $1,879,700 of "unfunded capital projects": spending on assets that no reserve, grant or long-term loan had yet covered at year end. At the same time, the statements show reserves of $5,512,532 at the end of 2025, while the budget had planned for $4,328,540. Transfers from operations to reserves were $2,648,598 against a budget of $807,700. Some reserves fell (fire-purposes from $420,597 to $33,321, roadways from $1,939,455 to $1,464,127) and the reserve for acquisition of capital assets rose from $821,621 to $1,948,493. We did not find the Township's own explanation.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 4 sources
$309,792of bank interest in 2024, against a budget of $90,000 for 2025
The 2025 budget plans $90,000 for general bank account interest, the same figure as the 2024 budget. The 2025 budget's own report shows $309,792 of actual bank interest for 2024, and the 2024 budget shows $243,840 for 2023. The audited statements show investment income of $137,234 in 2025 against a budget of $90,000, and $341,395 in 2024. Cash fell from $5,623,166 to $3,381,809 during 2025, so less interest is likely in 2026.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 4 sources
$667,626annual surplus for 2025, against a budget of $347,526
The 2025 statements show an annual surplus of $667,626 against a budget of $347,526 (about 1.9 times the budget, worked out by us). Revenue was $6,380,475 against $5,999,290 budgeted, and expenses were $5,712,849 against $5,651,764. A different line in the notes shows an accumulated "Surplus" of $303,781, down from $529,130. A council news release says a report on how the 2025 surplus will be used will come to a future meeting.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
2025the newest year of budget listed on the Township's finance page
The finance page lists budgets for 2023 to 2025 and the 2025 audited statements, and says that for earlier years residents should email the Township for a copy. We did not find a 2026 budget there. A council release of August 6, 2026 says council received a "Budgetary Control Report as of June 30th, 2026" and a "2026 Capital Works and Grant Projects Update", but we could not find them, because the meeting documents sit behind pages that ask automated readers to stay out. The registry of declarations of interest on the council page shows its newest entry on April 20, 2021.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
In 2019, Montague had $4.4M more in cash and money owed to it than it owed to others. By 2025 it was −$1.8M. About 2% of that change ($133K) 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 5 of 30 similar towns are in a weaker position.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 2 sources
$5,500,000drawn from OILC in 2025, with the whole amount due in 2026
In 2025 the Township began borrowing from Infrastructure Ontario and Land Corporation (OILC, the province's lending agency) to build a new fire hall and public works building. By December 31, 2025 it had drawn $5,500,000, and the statements list the whole amount as due in 2026. At the same time, its net financial assets (what it holds in cash and money owed to it, minus what it owes) went from $5,493,353 to a debt of $1,770,247. The Township says it plans to refinance on a long-term basis. We did not find the interest rate or the length of the long-term loan in the documents we read.
Why it matters
A loan that is due in a year must either be paid or turned into a longer loan. The rate and the yearly payments will be a cost for taxpayers for many years, and the new council elected on October 26, 2026 will inherit them.
It could be because…
This is how a building loan normally works: a short-term construction loan is drawn while the building goes up, then replaced by a long-term loan once it is finished.
The long-term terms may not be known until the building is complete and the long-term loan is priced.
Council may have already approved the borrowing in reports we could not read, because the agendas and minutes are not open to our automated reading.
Questions you could ask
What interest rate, length and yearly payment does the Township expect on the long-term loan that replaces the $5,500,000, and when will council approve it?
Is the interest on the interim loan (the 2025 statements print it as $62,216) and the 2026 payments in the 2026 budget, and where can residents read that budget?
How much of the $8,000,000 OILC facility does the Township expect to use in total?
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 Montague?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Note 6 says the loan is "Infrastructure Ontario and Land Corporation interim financing, interest rate is OILC's monthly construction rate" of $5,500,000, with principal due in 2026 of $5,500,000. It says interest expense on long-term liabilities in 2025 amounted to $62,216 (2024 - $Nil), and that the Township "entered into an agreement with OILC to provide financing up to $8,000,000 related to a new fire and public works building".
The same note says the balance drawn at December 31, 2025 was $5,500,000, "with planned refinancing of debt facility on a long term basis upon expiry of the term of the current facility".
The statement of financial position shows long-term liabilities of 5,500,000 in 2025 and nil in 2024, and net financial assets (debt) of (1,770,247) in 2025 against 5,493,353 in 2024. Cash fell from $5,623,166 to $3,381,809.
The 2025 budget says of the new building: "The cost of borrowing for the Construction portion of the project is unknown at this time", and "a debenture will be locked in at that time, with an anticipated first payment in 2026."
The 2025 budget says $72,000 of the 2025 tax increase "will be directed towards the new Fire and Public Works Complex debenture payments", and that the budget includes a 3.66% tax rate increase.
$8,112,855added to buildings in 2025, against $211,000 listed in the 2025 budget for the new building
The 2025 budget lists $211,000 for the new building, for engineering drawings, and says the cost of borrowing for construction was not yet known. The audited 2025 statements show $8,112,855 added to buildings in 2025 and $8,908,583 spent on capital in all, against a capital figure of $2,085,000 in the statements' budget column. The Township's posted tender results show four bids received by July 16, 2024, from 6,385,650.00 to 7,496,700.00 (we did not match amounts to bidders, because the page prints names and amounts in separate blocks). The budget book itself shows a capital total of $2,721,000, which is not the same as the $2,085,000 in the statements. The statements explain that the budget was not prepared on the same basis as the actual results.
Why it matters
The new building is by far the largest thing the Township has paid for in recent years. Readers of the budgets would have seen a yearly transfer to reserves and a line for drawings, but not a single project total.
It could be because…
Council may have approved the project and its total in separate reports or by-laws that are not in the budget books.
Big projects often run across several years, so a yearly budget book shows only that year's piece and the reserves being built up for it.
The Township says its budget and its audited statements use different bases, which can make the two capital totals differ.
The $8,112,855 is a total for all building additions in 2025 and may include work other than the new building.
Questions you could ask
What total cost did council approve for the new fire hall and public works building, and on what date?
Why is the 2025 capital total in the budget book ($2,721,000) different from the capital figure in the audited statements' budget column ($2,085,000)?
How much of the 2025 addition to buildings is the new fire hall and public works building, and what is still to be spent?
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 Montague?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
The 2025 capital list has "Municipal Complex (Fire and PW Engineered drawings)" at $211,000. It adds: "The cost of borrowing for the Construction portion of the project is unknown at this time but will be funded from Administration Reserve as previously presented to Council. The building is set to be complete in 2025".
The results page for RFP AD-2023-02, Montague Township Fire Hall and Public Works Garage, with a closing date of July 16, 2024, says 4 bids were received. The bid prices printed are 7,346,722.00, 7,433,000.00, 7,496,700.00 and 6,385,650.00. It adds: "No evaluation of contract documents or calculation verification have been undertaken at this time".
Note 14 shows capital expenses of (2,085,000) in the 2025 budget column and (8,908,583) in the actual column. It says: "The 2025 budget amounts that were approved were not prepared on a basis consistent with that used to report actual results".
$1,879,700of capital projects listed as unfunded at the end of 2025
The 2025 statements list $1,879,700 of "unfunded capital projects": spending on assets that no reserve, grant or long-term loan had yet covered at year end. At the same time, the statements show reserves of $5,512,532 at the end of 2025, while the budget had planned for $4,328,540. Transfers from operations to reserves were $2,648,598 against a budget of $807,700. Some reserves fell (fire-purposes from $420,597 to $33,321, roadways from $1,939,455 to $1,464,127) and the reserve for acquisition of capital assets rose from $821,621 to $1,948,493. We did not find the Township's own explanation.
Why it matters
Residents deserve to know whether the building is being paid for from savings, from borrowing, or from a mix, because that decides how much the Township will owe for years to come.
It could be because…
"Unfunded" can simply mean that the long-term loan, or a grant, has not yet been received and will cover the amount later.
Reserves may be earmarked for projects planned in 2026 and later, and so not be available for the building.
Transfers into reserves can include grants and development fees the Township must hold until used.
Questions you could ask
What are the unfunded capital projects, and which source (the long-term loan, reserves, grants) is meant to cover the $1,879,700?
Why did transfers from operations to reserves reach $2,648,598 when $807,700 was budgeted?
Which reserves are earmarked for the new building, and how much of each is still 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 Montague?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Note 7 lists under investment in tangible capital assets: "Unfunded capital projects (1,879,700)" in 2025 and nil in 2024. Under it, the surplus is $303,781 (2024: $529,130) and reserves are $5,512,532.
Schedule 1 shows transfers from operations of $807,700 budgeted and $2,648,598 actual in 2025, and reserve balances at the end of 2025 of $4,328,540 budgeted and $5,512,532 actual (2024: $5,208,340).
Schedule 1 also shows reserves for capital purposes at December 31, 2025 against 2024: acquisition of capital assets $1,948,493 (2024: $821,621), fire-purposes $33,321 (2024: $420,597), roadways $1,464,127 (2024: $1,939,455).
Note 14 shows a decrease in operating surplus of $(1,800,857) for 2025, "Allocated as follows": change in surplus (deficiency) $(225,349), unfunded capital projects $(1,879,700) and net transfers (from) to reserves $304,192.
Montague spent about $3,307 per home on long-term debt in 2025. The typical similar town spent $855. Only 4 of 30 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 Montague?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Long-term debt per home: Montague $3,307; typical similar town $855; ranked 5th highest of 31.
$309,792of bank interest in 2024, against a budget of $90,000 for 2025
The 2025 budget plans $90,000 for general bank account interest, the same figure as the 2024 budget. The 2025 budget's own report shows $309,792 of actual bank interest for 2024, and the 2024 budget shows $243,840 for 2023. The audited statements show investment income of $137,234 in 2025 against a budget of $90,000, and $341,395 in 2024. Cash fell from $5,623,166 to $3,381,809 during 2025, so less interest is likely in 2026.
Why it matters
A budget that plans for less income than usually arrives can leave a yearly surplus that nobody voted to spend. It can also hide how much tax is needed.
It could be because…
Interest rates rose and then fell, and cautious staff may not want to count on high rates.
The cash that earns the interest is being spent on the new building, so the amount earned is going down.
The January 2025 report may show an early count of 2024 that was later adjusted.
Questions you could ask
What interest does the Township expect to earn in 2026 and 2027, given that its cash fell by $2,241,357 in 2025?
Will the 2026 budget set bank interest closer to what was actually earned?
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 Montague?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
The 2025 budget's Taxation & Other Revenue report lists "General Bank Account Interest" with 90,000 budget and 309,792 actual for 2024, and 90,000 proposed for 2025, with no note. The report is dated January 16, 2025.
The 2024 budget lists "General Bank Account Interest" at 50,000 budget and 243,840 actual for 2023, and 90,000 proposed for 2024, with the note "Based on the current market and increase in interest".
Statement of Financial Position, "Cash" $ 3,381,809 (2025) and $ 5,623,166 (2024). The Statement of Cash Flows shows "Decrease in cash" (2,241,357) for 2025, "Cash, beginning of year" 5,623,166 and "Cash, end of year" $ 3,381,809.
$667,626annual surplus for 2025, against a budget of $347,526
The 2025 statements show an annual surplus of $667,626 against a budget of $347,526 (about 1.9 times the budget, worked out by us). Revenue was $6,380,475 against $5,999,290 budgeted, and expenses were $5,712,849 against $5,651,764. A different line in the notes shows an accumulated "Surplus" of $303,781, down from $529,130. A council news release says a report on how the 2025 surplus will be used will come to a future meeting.
Why it matters
Two different "surplus" figures appear in the same statements, and the Township has not yet said which one it will allocate or to what.
It could be because…
The annual surplus counts items like grants and developer fees that must be kept for capital projects, so only part of it is free to spend.
Part of the annual surplus pays for assets (the building), which leaves a smaller operating surplus of $303,781.
The report to council may explain all of this soon, after the statements were approved on August 4, 2026.
Questions you could ask
Which of the two surplus figures ($667,626 or $303,781) will council allocate, and to which reserves?
Which revenue lines came in above budget in 2025 and why?
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 Montague?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
The statement of operations shows an annual surplus of 347,526 budgeted and 667,626 actual for 2025 (2024: 924,237), with total revenue of 6,380,475 against 5,999,290 budgeted and total expenses of 5,712,849 against 5,651,764 budgeted.
The release says: "Council accepted and approved the 2025 Financial Statements that were presented. A report regarding the allocation of 2025 surplus will be brought back to a future Council Meeting for direction to Staff."
2025the newest year of budget listed on the Township's finance page
The finance page lists budgets for 2023 to 2025 and the 2025 audited statements, and says that for earlier years residents should email the Township for a copy. We did not find a 2026 budget there. A council release of August 6, 2026 says council received a "Budgetary Control Report as of June 30th, 2026" and a "2026 Capital Works and Grant Projects Update", but we could not find them, because the meeting documents sit behind pages that ask automated readers to stay out. The registry of declarations of interest on the council page shows its newest entry on April 20, 2021.
Why it matters
Residents going into the October 26, 2026 election should be able to read what the current budget says and how it is being spent without having to ask.
It could be because…
The 2026 budget and reports may be posted with the meeting agendas, which we were not able to read.
No member may have declared a conflict since April 2021, so the registry may be complete.
A small township may keep earlier statements on request rather than online.
Questions you could ask
Where can residents read the 2026 budget and the June 30, 2026 budgetary control report?
Is the declaration registry kept up to date, and have there been declarations since April 2021?
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 Montague?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
The finance page lists the "2025 BUDGETS", "2024 BUDGETS" and "2023 BUDGETS" and, under financial reporting, "2025's Annual Financial Statements and FIRs". It says: "Interested in previous years? Email" the Township "to receive a copy." The water and sewer budget links for 2024 and 2025 are labelled draft.
The release lists, among reports received at Committee of the Whole: "Budgetary Control Report as of June 30th, 2026" and "2026 Capital Works and Grant Projects Update". It also says meetings are livestreamed on YouTube.
In 2019, Montague had $4.4M more in cash and money owed to it than it owed to others. By 2025 it was −$1.8M. About 2% of that change ($133K) 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 5 of 30 similar towns are in a weaker position.
Montague went from having money in the bank to owing more than it has. What changed?
−$2.0M$0$2.0M$4.0M$6.0M$8.0M
−$1.8M
2019202020212022202320242025
Show as a table
Year
Net financial position
2019
$4.4M
2020
$5.3M
2021
$5.6M
2022
$6.1M
2023
$6.2M
2024
$5.5M
2025
−$1.8M
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 Montague?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
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