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by hand, Oct 2026DetailsThis is built from public records, which leave a lot out, and some of it may be wrong or out of date.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 Nairn and Hyman'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 · 6 so far
Things worth asking about
We read Nairn and Hyman's financial reports and meeting minutes, and compared its numbers with 9 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.
$24,257.49difference between the lowest bid and the one chosen (worked out by us)
On July 13, 2026 Council received three bids for paving Taylor Street South: $130,780.95, $443,222.77 and $155,038.44, all with HST. It gave the contract to the bidder at $155,038.44. The lowest bid was $24,257.49 lower (worked out by us). The minutes give no reason. The lowest bidder was named as the back-up if the winner could not take the job. For comparison, on the same night Council gave the Sand Bay Road work to the lowest of four bids.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
2017newest year of audited statements posted on the Township's site
The Township's Financial Highlights page lists audited statements for 2003 to 2017 and nothing later. The May 4, 2026 council agenda lists a presentation by the Township's auditor of the 2025 statements and the statements themselves as items for council, so they exist. The agenda we found is a list of items without the reports attached, and we found no statements file on the site.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
$1,268,686.00amount required for taxation in 2026, municipal and education together, as the minutes print it
The June 1, 2026 minutes say Council approved the 2026 budget with $1,268,686.00 required for taxation (municipal and education together) and a 2.65% combined increase. Earlier, on May 4, Council asked the fire department to cut its draft budget by $20,000.00 and moved $10,000.00 from the road equipment reserve to the working reserve, then added another $10,000.00 to the working reserve. We did not find the budget itself. The Township's public notice of the meeting is a picture with the date and place and no figures.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
On June 1, 2026 Council passed a resolution supporting, in principle, a company's plan for a waste-to-energy plant that would take the Township's solid waste "at a fixed cost". The resolution says the Township faces waste disposal capacity limits and would become a client if the proposal is "financially viable and beneficial". It prints no price, no tonnage and no landfill capacity figure. The agreement is conditional, which is why this is a note.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 1 source
$24,257.49difference between the lowest bid and the one chosen (worked out by us)
On July 13, 2026 Council received three bids for paving Taylor Street South: $130,780.95, $443,222.77 and $155,038.44, all with HST. It gave the contract to the bidder at $155,038.44. The lowest bid was $24,257.49 lower (worked out by us). The minutes give no reason. The lowest bidder was named as the back-up if the winner could not take the job. For comparison, on the same night Council gave the Sand Bay Road work to the lowest of four bids.
Why it matters
A tender is how a town shows it got a fair price. The cheapest bid is not always the best one, but when Council passes over it the public should be told why, in plain words, in the minutes or a report.
It could be because…
The tender may have been scored on more than price, such as the work plan, the schedule, or the contractor's past work, and the lowest bid may have scored lower.
The lowest bid may have left out part of the work or may have been priced against different quantities.
The lowest bidder was named as the back-up, which suggests its bid was accepted as valid. That points toward scoring on something other than price, or a choice made on a staff recommendation that is not in the minutes.
Council may have had a report with the reason. The agendas we opened list items only and do not attach the reports.
Questions you could ask
What was the reason the Taylor Street South contract was not given to the lowest bid?
How were the bids scored, and where is the scoring posted?
Can the tender opening minutes of July 8, 2026 and the staff report on the award be 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 Nairn and Hyman?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Resolution 2026-9-150, Received Tenders and Award of Contract, Taylor Street South: COMET Contracting Ltd. $130,780.95 inclusive of HST; MCA Contracting Ltd. $443,222.77 inclusive of HST; Pioneer Construction Inc. $155,038.44 inclusive of HST. "Council directs that the contract be awarded to Pioneer Construction Inc." with the contract to go to COMET Contracting Ltd. if the successful bidder is unable to meet the terms or declines.
Resolution 2026-9-152, Sand Bay Road rehabilitation: COMET Contracting Ltd. $291,424.99; MCA Contracting Ltd. $232,510.61; Pioneer Construction Inc. $371,727.05; Future Wood Products Ltd. $221,424.40, all inclusive of HST. The contract went to Future Wood Products Ltd., the lowest of the four.
2017newest year of audited statements posted on the Township's site
The Township's Financial Highlights page lists audited statements for 2003 to 2017 and nothing later. The May 4, 2026 council agenda lists a presentation by the Township's auditor of the 2025 statements and the statements themselves as items for council, so they exist. The agenda we found is a list of items without the reports attached, and we found no statements file on the site.
Why it matters
Audited statements are the one yearly document that shows everything the Township owns and owes, checked by an outside firm. Without them, residents cannot judge reserves, debt or whether spending stayed near the budget.
It could be because…
A small township may update its website slowly. The 2025 statements may be posted soon.
The statements may be available at the municipal office or on request, and may be sent to the Province in the yearly Financial Information Return.
The page may simply not have been updated: its page date reads April 9, 2019.
Questions you could ask
Can the audited statements for 2018 to 2025, and the auditor's findings report for 2025, be posted on the Treasury page?
If they are available only on request, where do residents ask?
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 Nairn and Hyman?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The Treasury page "Financial Highlights" lists 2003 to 2008 "Financial Highlights" and "2009 Consolidated Financial Statements" through "2017 Consolidated Financial Statements". Nothing later is listed. The page carries a date of April 9, 2019.
Council agenda, May 4, 2026: item 3 a) delegation from the auditor "to present to Council the 2025 Township of Nairn and Hyman Financial Statements"; item 7 a) "Combined Audit Planning and Findings Report for the year ending December 31, 2025"; item 7 b) "Financial Statements of the Corporation of the Township of Nairn and Hyman for the year ending December 31, 2025".
Nairn and Hyman spent about $327 per home on council in 2025. The typical similar town spent $119. None of the 9 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 Nairn and Hyman?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Council per home: Nairn and Hyman $327; typical similar town $119; ranked 1st highest of 10.
$1,268,686.00amount required for taxation in 2026, municipal and education together, as the minutes print it
The June 1, 2026 minutes say Council approved the 2026 budget with $1,268,686.00 required for taxation (municipal and education together) and a 2.65% combined increase. Earlier, on May 4, Council asked the fire department to cut its draft budget by $20,000.00 and moved $10,000.00 from the road equipment reserve to the working reserve, then added another $10,000.00 to the working reserve. We did not find the budget itself. The Township's public notice of the meeting is a picture with the date and place and no figures.
Why it matters
A budget is the promise about what the year will cost. With only a total and one tax increase in the minutes, residents cannot see what is paid for, what is in reserves, or how the fire cut was made up.
It could be because…
The budget may be available at the municipal office or on request, as many small townships do.
The Township may post the budget with the tax bills, or in a form we did not find.
The draft was reviewed in a public council meeting on May 4, 2026, so the decisions were made in the open even if the document is not posted.
Questions you could ask
Can the adopted 2026 budget, with the levy, the fire department budget and the reserve balances, be posted?
What was the 2025 amount required for taxation, so residents can see the 2.65% increase in dollars?
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 Nairn and Hyman?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Resolution 2026-8-123, 2026 Municipal Budget Approved: "the 2026 Municipal Budget be approved with an amount required for taxation (Municipal and Education) totaling $1,268,686.00 with a 2.65% combined total increase."
Resolution 2026-6-86: Council requests that the Fire Department decrease its budget by $20,000.00. Resolution 2026-6-88: $10,000.00 removed from the Road Equipment Reserve and redirected to the Working Reserve. Resolution 2026-6-89: an additional $10,000.00 allocated to the Working Reserve fund. Resolution 2026-6-90: Council has reviewed the Draft 2026 Municipal Budget and a public meeting will be held on June 1, 2026 to adopt it.
Notice to Public: Intention to Adopt the 2026 Municipal Budget. A scanned notice read by eye: it states the meeting on Monday, June 1, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. at the Nairn Community Centre and says written or verbal comments will be considered. It prints no budget figures.
On June 1, 2026 Council passed a resolution supporting, in principle, a company's plan for a waste-to-energy plant that would take the Township's solid waste "at a fixed cost". The resolution says the Township faces waste disposal capacity limits and would become a client if the proposal is "financially viable and beneficial". It prints no price, no tonnage and no landfill capacity figure. The agreement is conditional, which is why this is a note.
Why it matters
A landfill running short is a real cost problem for a small township, and a long contract can bind later councils. Residents should be able to compare the price with the cost of the landfill.
It could be because…
A support in principle commits the Township to nothing. The resolution says any contract must wait for permits and a viability review.
A price may not exist yet, since the company has not found a site or its permits.
A new council may be elected on October 26, 2026 and would decide on any contract.
Questions you could ask
How many years of landfill room does the Township have left?
What fixed price per tonne has the company offered, and how does it compare with landfill costs?
Will Council publish the company's proposal before any contract is signed?
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 Nairn and Hyman?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Resolution 2026-8-138: due to "waste disposal capacity constraints" the Municipality is "looking to divert landfill waste to extend asset life". The company is "developing a waste-to-energy facility in the area that is capable of processing the Municipality's solid waste at a fixed cost". Council supports it "in principle", "subject to" permits, and "agrees in principle to become a client provided the proposal is financially viable and beneficial to the Municipality". Council would then direct staff "to negotiate a contract".
Nairn and Hyman spent about $274 per home on snow ploughing in 2025. The typical similar town spent $143. Only 1 of 9 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 Nairn and Hyman?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Snow ploughing per home: Nairn and Hyman $274; typical similar town $143; ranked 2nd highest of 10.
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