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by hand, Oct 2026DetailsThis is built from public records, which leave a lot out, and some of it may be wrong or out of date.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 Oil Springs'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 Oil Springs' financial reports and meeting minutes, and compared its numbers with 3 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.
35,538net financial assets at the end of 2024, down from 96,221 at the start of 2023
The Village's audited statements show cash falling from 614,905 at the start of 2023 to 329,203 at the end of 2024. Its net financial assets (what it owns in money-like form minus what it owes) fell from 96,221 to 35,538 over the same two years. A year with a bad surprise, like a big repair, would have little room to absorb it.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 4 sources
The Village's Budget page lists one budget document, for 2021. We did not find a budget for any later year on the pages we read on October 7, 2026. The audited statements say the 2024 budget was approved by Council, so a 2024 budget exists.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
(497,453)budgeted annual deficit for 2024, against an actual surplus of 9,397
The statements show a budgeted annual deficit of (497,453) for 2024 and an actual annual surplus of 9,397. The Village's own note explains the two are not measured the same way, so the gap is mostly about method, not overspending or underspending.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
885,932municipal debt at the end of 2024, with $24,576 of interest paid in 2024
The Village owed 885,932 in municipal debt at the end of 2024, down from 963,005. Most of it, 674,315, is one provincial loan (an Ontario Infrastructure debenture) at 2.43% that runs to September 2039. The Village's statements say its payments are within the debt limit set by the province.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
The newest audited statements we found are for 2024, signed by the auditor on June 3, 2025. We did not find 2025 statements on the Financial Statements page on October 7, 2026. This may only mean the audit is not finished.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 1 source
$102,664annual cost of OPP policing for 2024, per the Village's statements
The Village's statements say its policing agreement with the Ontario Provincial Police ran to December 31, 2024, at an annual cost of $102,664, with later amounts to be decided year by year. We did not find the later amounts in any document we read.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 1 source
35,538net financial assets at the end of 2024, down from 96,221 at the start of 2023
The Village's audited statements show cash falling from 614,905 at the start of 2023 to 329,203 at the end of 2024. Its net financial assets (what it owns in money-like form minus what it owes) fell from 96,221 to 35,538 over the same two years. A year with a bad surprise, like a big repair, would have little room to absorb it.
Why it matters
A village with little cash and few net assets has fewer choices when a road, a water main or a fire truck needs money quickly. The usual answers are a tax increase, borrowing, or waiting. Neighbours who pay the tax bill live with whichever is chosen.
It could be because…
Council spent cash on purpose on equipment and projects. The statements show 228,185 spent on capital assets in 2024, which is an asset the Village now owns.
Some cash was moved into investments. The statements show a net change in investments of (35,490) in 2024 and (98,653) in 2023, so part of the fall in cash is a move to guaranteed investment certificates, not money spent.
The Village ended 2024 with an annual surplus of 9,397, so it did not overspend in that year.
Questions you could ask
What level of cash and savings does Council want the Village to keep, and how does the end of 2024 compare with it?
What was the cash position at the end of 2025?
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 Oil Springs?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
The cash flow statement shows cash and cash equivalents of 614,905 at the beginning of 2023, 388,083 at the end of 2023, and 329,203 at the end of 2024.
The statement of change in net financial assets shows NET FINANCIAL ASSETS at the beginning of 2023 of 96,221, at the end of 2023 of 62,366, and at the end of 2024 of 35,538. The 2024 budget column shows an end-of-year figure of (240,768).
The cash flow statement shows the acquisition of tangible capital assets of (228,185) in 2024 and (113,169) in 2023, and a net change in investments of (35,490) in 2024 and (98,653) in 2023.
The Village's Budget page lists one budget document, for 2021. We did not find a budget for any later year on the pages we read on October 7, 2026. The audited statements say the 2024 budget was approved by Council, so a 2024 budget exists.
Why it matters
The budget is where a council decides how the tax dollars are used. Residents voting on October 26, 2026 cannot see what Council planned to spend if the budgets are not posted.
It could be because…
The budgets may be posted somewhere we did not look, such as the meeting portal, which we did not open.
Recent budgets may be inside council agenda packages, not on the Budget page.
The Village may update the page only once a year and have not yet done so.
Questions you could ask
Where can a resident find the adopted budget for each of 2022 to 2026?
Will the Village add them to its Budget page?
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 Oil Springs?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
The Budget page lists one document under the heading Budgets: 2021 (Budget Estimates For 2021).
Oil Springs spent $45,280 on parks, arena and library in 2019 and $98,743 in 2025. Prices only went up about 21% in that time.
Why did the cost of parks, arena and library grow 118% in 6 years?
Parks, arena and library
Prices (inflation)
−50%+0%+50%+100%+150%
+118%
2019202020212022202320242025
Show as a table
Year
Parks, arena and library
Prices (inflation)
2019
+0%
+0%
2020
−17%
+1%
2021
−4%
+4%
2022
+38%
+11%
2023
+123%
+16%
2024
+131%
+18%
2025
+118%
+21%
Change since the first year shown. The grey line is how much prices rose overall, for comparison.
Why it matters
When one area grows much faster than prices, it is either doing more (which may be great) or paying more for the same thing. Residents deserve to know which.
It could be because…
The town added a service, a building or staff that residents asked for.
Costs were moved from another area, so the total did not really change.
Accounting rules changed how costs are sorted.
Large one-time costs, like a study, lawsuit or repair, landed in one year.
Questions you could ask
What did the extra $53,463 a year pay for?
Why did arena and buildings go from $23,552 to $53,025?
Was each increase approved by council as a separate decision, or did it happen through the yearly budget?
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 Oil Springs?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
(497,453)budgeted annual deficit for 2024, against an actual surplus of 9,397
The statements show a budgeted annual deficit of (497,453) for 2024 and an actual annual surplus of 9,397. The Village's own note explains the two are not measured the same way, so the gap is mostly about method, not overspending or underspending.
Why it matters
A reader comparing the budget column to the actual column would think the Village missed its plan by almost half a million dollars. The Village's note says otherwise, and it is worth knowing before drawing conclusions.
It could be because…
The Village's note says the budget counts capital purchases and debt payments as spending and does not count amortization, while the audited statements do the opposite.
The Village's note says budgets use accumulated surpluses from earlier years to cover spending.
Questions you could ask
Does the Village publish a report each year that compares its adopted budget to actual spending on the budget's own basis?
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 Oil Springs?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
The statement of operations shows ANNUAL SURPLUS (Deficit) of (497,453) in the 2024 budget column, 9,397 actual for 2024, and (100,360) actual for 2023.
Note 10 says "Budgets are not prepared on a basis consistent with that used to report actual results under Public Sector Accounting Standards" and that "the budget expensed all tangible capital assets rather than capitalizing them and recording amortization expense. The budget also expenses principal payments on debt and reserve transfers."
885,932municipal debt at the end of 2024, with $24,576 of interest paid in 2024
The Village owed 885,932 in municipal debt at the end of 2024, down from 963,005. Most of it, 674,315, is one provincial loan (an Ontario Infrastructure debenture) at 2.43% that runs to September 2039. The Village's statements say its payments are within the debt limit set by the province.
Why it matters
Debt payments come out of the same tax dollars as roads and fire services. Knowing the size and end date of the debt helps residents see what is already promised.
It could be because…
Low-interest provincial loans are an ordinary way for a small village to pay for water, sewer and road projects.
The debt is falling each year: the statements show principal repayments of 79,124 due in 2025.
Questions you could ask
What projects were each of the debentures used for, and what does the Village plan to borrow for next?
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 Oil Springs?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
The statement of financial position shows Municipal debt of 885,932 at the end of 2024 and 963,005 at the end of 2023.
Note 8 lists an Ontario Infrastructure debenture bearing interest at 2.43% with a balance of 674,315, maturing September 2039. It says the total interest for the year was $24,576, and that principal repayments are 79,124 in 2025, 79,805 in 2026 and 80,414 in 2027.
Note 8 says "The annual principal and interest payments required to service these liabilities are within the annual debt limit prescribed by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing".
The newest audited statements we found are for 2024, signed by the auditor on June 3, 2025. We did not find 2025 statements on the Financial Statements page on October 7, 2026. This may only mean the audit is not finished.
Why it matters
The audited statements are the independent check on what the Village did with the money. A reader looking at the Village before the October 26, 2026 election would be using figures that are almost two years old.
It could be because…
The 2025 audit may still be under way, or may be done and not yet posted.
A very small village has few staff to prepare the statements.
Questions you could ask
When does the Village expect its 2025 audited statements to go to Council and 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 Oil Springs?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
The independent auditor's report for 2024 is signed in Sarnia, Ontario, dated June 3, 2025, and says the statements "present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Village as at December 31, 2024".
$102,664annual cost of OPP policing for 2024, per the Village's statements
The Village's statements say its policing agreement with the Ontario Provincial Police ran to December 31, 2024, at an annual cost of $102,664, with later amounts to be decided year by year. We did not find the later amounts in any document we read.
Why it matters
Policing is one of the Village's larger fixed costs. Residents are told the 2024 figure but not what comes next.
It could be because…
The OPP sets the yearly amount from its own estimate of salary and benefit costs, so the Village does not control the figure.
Council may have been told the new amount in a budget report we did not read.
Questions you could ask
What is the Village's policing cost for 2025 and 2026, and how was it set?
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 Oil Springs?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Note 14 says the Village's service agreement with the Ontario Provincial Police "will expire on December 31, 2024. The 2024 annual cost will be $102,664; subsequent years' amounts are to be determined on an annual basis based on estimated salary and benefit costs."
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