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by hand, Oct 2026DetailsThis is built from public records, which leave a lot out, and some of it may be wrong or out of date.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 Pelee'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 · 10 so far
Things worth asking about
We read Pelee's financial reports and meeting minutes, and compared its numbers with 16 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.
$3,592,919still owed to the Township at the end of 2024, down from $17,172,980
The Township is the lead on a project to bring high-speed internet to the island. Its 2024 statements say the project is funded by grants of $19,258,893, that $15,910,426 had been spent to date, and that it was to be finished by the end of 2025. At the end of 2024 the Township was still owed $3,592,919 in accounts receivable (money others owe it), down from $17,172,980 a year before. In the year it spent $14,039,850 on buying capital assets, against a budget of $8,121,783. The Township has explained the arrangement in its own note: the grants are counted as receivable, and the money spent is counted as capital assets. The 2026 budget shows no broadband spending.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 4 sources
($958,793)the "to be used to offset user charges and taxation" part of the surplus at the end of 2024, from $568,227
The accumulated surplus is the Township's total net worth, most of it in buildings, roads and equipment. The statements split it into parts. One part, "to be used to offset user charges and taxation", was a surplus of $568,227 at the end of 2023 and a deficit of $958,793 at the end of 2024, a change of $1,527,020 (worked out by us). "Water operations" is also a deficit, $1,418,513 at the end of 2024 and $1,399,995 a year earlier. The statements do not explain the swing.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
($1,983,495)accumulated deficit of the West Shore Road water system at the end of 2024
The Township charges some neighbourhoods separately for local services ("special area charges"). For the West Shore Road water system, 2024 user charges were $69,985 and spending was $170,017, a gap of $100,032 (worked out by us). Its accumulated deficit grew from $1,883,463 to $1,983,495. Across the four special areas the 2024 spending of $303,226 was $135,061 more than their revenue of $168,165, and the grants for them fell from $105,787 to $25,612. The Township's budget shows the same pattern in the West Water Plant, with an expected deficit of $140,750 in 2026 after $167,793 in 2025.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
$75,000budgeted for 2025 for legal fees and the Integrity Commissioner, up from $10,000 in 2021
The administration budget has one line for legal fees and for the Integrity Commissioner (the person who looks into complaints about how council members behave). Its budget was $10,000 in 2021, $20,000 in 2022, $25,000 in 2023, $45,000 in 2024, $75,000 in 2025 and is $50,000 in 2026. The budget does not say how much is for lawyers and how much is for the Integrity Commissioner. The audit line over the same years went from $19,500 to $25,750, and a separate planning department line has $10,500 for legal fees in 2026. These are budgets, not what was spent: the 2024 statements do not break spending down by line.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
$860,902spent on general government in 2024, against a budget of $730,388
General government covers council, administration and the clerk's and finance work. It cost $860,902 in 2024, which is $130,514 above its budget of $730,388 (worked out by us), and $175,373 more than the $685,529 of 2023 (worked out by us). Total spending was $3,301,360 against a budget of $3,810,413, so the year ended with a surplus of $143,318 against a planned $37,812. Environmental services ($575,281 against $1,004,956) and protection ($167,261 against $372,451) came in far below budget. The statements do not explain the general government figure. They do say the budget was prepared on a different basis from the actuals.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
Pelee spent $509K on running the town office in 2019 and $815K in 2024. Prices only went up about 18% in that time. Only 1 of 16 similar towns had faster growth here.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 3 sources
$5,358,668held in reserves at the end of 2024, down from $17,295,729
Reserves are savings set aside for a purpose. The two broadband reserves held most of the money: $3,965,785 and $11,603,741 at the end of 2023, and $891,915 and $2,382,131 at the end of 2024. The Township's net financial assets (what it has in cash and money owed to it, less what it owes) fell from $16,132,621 to $2,696,739 in the same year. The Township has explained part of this: the 2024 budget planned to use $7,298,654 from reserves, and the broadband reserves are grant money meant for the project. The other reserves are small, with $1,333,127 in the capital reserve.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
June 25, 2024date the statements say council adopted the 2024 budget by-law
A budget is the year's spending plan. The statements say council adopted the 2024 budget by-law on June 25, 2024. The 2026 budget was adopted on March 24, 2026, closer to the start of the year. The 2024 budget by-law planned a surplus of nil and used $7,298,654 from reserves for capital spending of $8,121,783. Spending before June 25 may have run on a different authority; we did not find out which.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
$525,000shoreline lines in the 2026 administration budget: $200,000 + $250,000 + $75,000 (worked out by us)
The administration budget has capital lines for shoreline protection: $200,000 "Capital Shoreline Protection Annual" and $250,000 "Capital Emergency Shoreline Protection" in 2025 and again in 2026, plus a new $75,000 "Capital-Shoreline Study" for 2026. Together that is $525,000 (worked out by us), more than a third of the administration expenses of $1,496,117. The 2026 revenue side includes $250,000 "Surplus-Previous Designated Year"; the budget does not say what it is meant to pay for. The budget shows what was planned for earlier years, but not what was spent.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
$3,592,919still owed to the Township at the end of 2024, down from $17,172,980
The Township is the lead on a project to bring high-speed internet to the island. Its 2024 statements say the project is funded by grants of $19,258,893, that $15,910,426 had been spent to date, and that it was to be finished by the end of 2025. At the end of 2024 the Township was still owed $3,592,919 in accounts receivable (money others owe it), down from $17,172,980 a year before. In the year it spent $14,039,850 on buying capital assets, against a budget of $8,121,783. The Township has explained the arrangement in its own note: the grants are counted as receivable, and the money spent is counted as capital assets. The 2026 budget shows no broadband spending.
Why it matters
A project this large is many times the size of the Township's yearly budget (the 2026 budget is $6,910,777). If a grant is late or is reduced, the Township could be left to cover the gap, so residents have reason to know what is still outstanding.
It could be because…
The remaining grant money is simply on its way: grants are often paid after the costs are claimed.
The project finished on time in 2025, and the 2026 budget shows no broadband spending because there is none left.
Part of the receivable is not broadband at all; the statements do not split it.
Questions you could ask
How much of the $19,258,893 in grants has been received, and how much is still owed?
Was the broadband project finished by the end of 2025, and did its final cost match the budget?
Will the 2025 statements show any cost the grants did not cover?
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 Pelee?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Note 12, Commitment: the Township "entered into an agreement with His Majesty the King in Right of Canada in September, 2022 to be project lead for bringing broadband infrastructure to the island". "The project is to be funded through grants totalling $19,258,893 which have been included in accounts receivable. $15,910,426 has been spent to date and have been included in tangible capital assets. This project is to be completed by the end of 2025."
Statement of financial position: accounts receivable 3,592,919 (2023: 17,172,980). Statement of cash flow: decrease in accounts receivable 13,580,061; acquisition of tangible capital assets (14,039,850) (2023: (4,117,423)). Statement of changes in net financial assets: acquisition of tangible capital assets, 2024 budget (8,121,783).
Broadband department, 2026 budget: revenue total $17,500 ("Agreements"); expense total $0. The 2025 budget column shows broadband project expenses of $3,197,727 and consultant expenses of $76,320.
By-law 2026-13, section 1: "That the 2026 Operating and Capital Budget estimates of $6,910,777 and attached as Schedule \"A\" forming part of this by-law be hereby adopted, approved, and authorized."
($958,793)the "to be used to offset user charges and taxation" part of the surplus at the end of 2024, from $568,227
The accumulated surplus is the Township's total net worth, most of it in buildings, roads and equipment. The statements split it into parts. One part, "to be used to offset user charges and taxation", was a surplus of $568,227 at the end of 2023 and a deficit of $958,793 at the end of 2024, a change of $1,527,020 (worked out by us). "Water operations" is also a deficit, $1,418,513 at the end of 2024 and $1,399,995 a year earlier. The statements do not explain the swing.
Why it matters
A deficit in a part of the surplus means the Township has spent money in a way that must be recovered from future user charges or taxes. The change is about 71 per cent of one year's taxation of $2,145,996 (worked out by us).
It could be because…
A bookkeeping split: money spent on capital assets before a grant or loan arrives, or reserves moved by council, can move these parts around without changing the total of $31,470,243.
The broadband spending ($14,039,850 on capital assets in the year) may have been counted here until grants were recorded against it.
Questions you could ask
What caused the swing in this part of the surplus in 2024, and how will the deficit be recovered?
Does the Township plan to fund the water operations deficit from rates, taxes or reserves?
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 Pelee?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Note 6(a), accumulated surplus, 2024 (2023): invested in tangible capital assets 28,709,947 (15,128,535); to be used to offset user charges and taxation (958,793) (568,227); water operations (1,418,513) (1,399,995); amounts to be recovered municipal debt (421,862) (487,464); reserves and reserve funds 5,358,668 (17,295,729); total accumulated surplus 31,470,243 (31,326,925).
($1,983,495)accumulated deficit of the West Shore Road water system at the end of 2024
The Township charges some neighbourhoods separately for local services ("special area charges"). For the West Shore Road water system, 2024 user charges were $69,985 and spending was $170,017, a gap of $100,032 (worked out by us). Its accumulated deficit grew from $1,883,463 to $1,983,495. Across the four special areas the 2024 spending of $303,226 was $135,061 more than their revenue of $168,165, and the grants for them fell from $105,787 to $25,612. The Township's budget shows the same pattern in the West Water Plant, with an expected deficit of $140,750 in 2026 after $167,793 in 2025.
Why it matters
A deficit this large relative to the money coming in means it will be hard to pay down from the system's own charges. Either rates must rise, taxes must cover it, or the gap stays.
It could be because…
The deficit may come from the cost of building the system, which council chose to pay off over many years.
Spending on water systems on a small island is high for the number of users.
The East Shore system has a surplus of $564,982, so the other systems may be meant to be balanced against it.
Questions you could ask
How does the Township plan to clear the accumulated deficits of the special area water systems?
Is the Township planning to change the user charges for these systems?
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 Pelee?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Schedule 3, Special Area Charges, 2024: West Shore Road Water System user charges 69,985; operator's salary 80,851; operations 89,166; total expenditures 170,017; expenditures over revenue (100,032); accumulated net deficit, end of year (1,983,495) (beginning (1,883,463)). 2024 total: grant 25,612 (2023: 105,787); total revenue 168,165; total expenditures 303,226; expenditures over revenue (135,061).
West Water Plant, 2026 budget: revenue total $278,000, of which capital borrowing $200,000; expense total $418,750; net surplus (deficit) ($140,750). 2025 budget: revenue total $274,000; expense total $441,793; net deficit ($167,793).
$75,000budgeted for 2025 for legal fees and the Integrity Commissioner, up from $10,000 in 2021
The administration budget has one line for legal fees and for the Integrity Commissioner (the person who looks into complaints about how council members behave). Its budget was $10,000 in 2021, $20,000 in 2022, $25,000 in 2023, $45,000 in 2024, $75,000 in 2025 and is $50,000 in 2026. The budget does not say how much is for lawyers and how much is for the Integrity Commissioner. The audit line over the same years went from $19,500 to $25,750, and a separate planning department line has $10,500 for legal fees in 2026. These are budgets, not what was spent: the 2024 statements do not break spending down by line.
Why it matters
A line that grows five-fold in four years deserves a plain answer on what it is for, because residents pay it through taxes and cannot see from the budget whether it is routine advice or a dispute.
It could be because…
Legal work linked to the broadband project, land and shoreline matters or Official Plan work.
An Integrity Commissioner is required by law, and complaints can come in unevenly from year to year.
The line may be budgeted generously and not fully spent. The 2026 budget cuts it by $25,000.
Questions you could ask
How much of the Legal/Integrity Commissioner line was spent in 2024 and 2025, and how much of it was for the Integrity Commissioner?
Will the Township split this budget line in two so residents can see the difference?
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 Pelee?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
$860,902spent on general government in 2024, against a budget of $730,388
General government covers council, administration and the clerk's and finance work. It cost $860,902 in 2024, which is $130,514 above its budget of $730,388 (worked out by us), and $175,373 more than the $685,529 of 2023 (worked out by us). Total spending was $3,301,360 against a budget of $3,810,413, so the year ended with a surplus of $143,318 against a planned $37,812. Environmental services ($575,281 against $1,004,956) and protection ($167,261 against $372,451) came in far below budget. The statements do not explain the general government figure. They do say the budget was prepared on a different basis from the actuals.
Why it matters
A category that goes over budget while others come in under it can hide where the extra money went. Residents may want to know whether the over-run is a one-time cost or a new level.
It could be because…
The budget and the actual results are prepared on different bases (the statements say the budget was prepared on a modified accrual basis), so some of the gap may be how costs are counted.
One-off costs such as consultants, the broadband project's administration or computer work could sit in this category.
Some of the under-spending elsewhere may be planned capital work that was not done, which the budget counted as an expense.
Questions you could ask
What accounts for the $130,514 by which general government came in over budget in 2024?
Will the Township show its budget and actuals on the same basis so the two can be compared line by line?
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 Pelee?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Statement of operations, expenses, 2024 budget; 2024 actual; 2023 actual: general government 730,388; 860,902; 685,529. Protection to persons and property 372,451; 167,261; 247,300. Environmental services 1,004,956; 575,281; 821,943. Total expenses 3,810,413; 3,301,360; 3,405,635. Annual surplus 37,812; 143,318; 33,025.
Note 8, Budget: the Financial Plan (Budget) By-Law adopted on June 25, 2024 "was not prepared on a basis consistent with that used to report actual results".
Schedule 2, general government, 2024: salaries and benefits 421,981; materials and supplies 376,352; amortization 46,053; other 16,516; total expenses 860,902 (2023: 685,529).
Pelee spent $509K on running the town office in 2019 and $815K in 2024. Prices only went up about 18% in that time. Only 1 of 16 similar towns had faster growth here.
Why did the cost of running the town office grow 60% in 5 years?
Running the town office
Prices (inflation)
+0%+20%+40%+60%+80%
+60%
201920202021202220232024
Show as a table
Year
Running the town office
Prices (inflation)
2019
+0%
+0%
2020
+7%
+1%
2021
+21%
+4%
2022
+25%
+11%
2023
+26%
+16%
2024
+60%
+18%
Change since the first year shown. The grey line is how much prices rose overall, for comparison.
Why it matters
Money spent running the office is money not spent on roads, water or safety. When office costs grow much faster than the services people see, it is fair to ask what the extra money is buying.
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 $306K a year pay for?
Why did council go from $456K to $768K?
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 Pelee?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Running the town office: 2019 $509K, 2020 $545K, 2021 $617K, 2022 $635K, 2023 $639K, 2024 $815K.
Pelee spent about $1,812 per home on council in 2024. The typical similar town spent $164. Only 1 of 16 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 Pelee?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Council per home: Pelee $1,812; typical similar town $164; ranked 2nd highest of 17.
$5,358,668held in reserves at the end of 2024, down from $17,295,729
Reserves are savings set aside for a purpose. The two broadband reserves held most of the money: $3,965,785 and $11,603,741 at the end of 2023, and $891,915 and $2,382,131 at the end of 2024. The Township's net financial assets (what it has in cash and money owed to it, less what it owes) fell from $16,132,621 to $2,696,739 in the same year. The Township has explained part of this: the 2024 budget planned to use $7,298,654 from reserves, and the broadband reserves are grant money meant for the project. The other reserves are small, with $1,333,127 in the capital reserve.
Why it matters
After the broadband money is spent, the Township's own savings are what is left for repairs and for the next project. Residents may want to know how much of the $5,358,668 is free to use and how much is tied to the project.
It could be because…
Grant money held in a reserve until the broadband project was built is meant to be spent. Its fall is the project being paid for.
The Township's own reserves, apart from broadband, may have stayed about the same: the statements show the capital reserve rising from $1,056,410 to $1,333,127.
Questions you could ask
How much of the $5,358,668 left in reserves is free for the Township to use, and how much is tied to the broadband project?
What is the Township's plan to rebuild its own reserves after the project?
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 Pelee?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Note 6(b), reserves and reserve funds, 2024 (2023): Capital 1,333,127 (1,056,410); Broadband - ICON 891,915 (3,965,785); Broadband - UBF 2,382,131 (11,603,741); total reserves and reserve funds, end of year 5,358,668 (17,295,729). Total accumulated surplus 31,470,243 (31,326,925).
Statement of financial position: net financial assets 2,696,739 (2023: 16,132,621). Note 8, Budget: transfers from reserves 7,298,654 in the reconciliation of the 2024 budget adopted on June 25, 2024.
June 25, 2024date the statements say council adopted the 2024 budget by-law
A budget is the year's spending plan. The statements say council adopted the 2024 budget by-law on June 25, 2024. The 2026 budget was adopted on March 24, 2026, closer to the start of the year. The 2024 budget by-law planned a surplus of nil and used $7,298,654 from reserves for capital spending of $8,121,783. Spending before June 25 may have run on a different authority; we did not find out which.
Why it matters
A budget approved in the middle of the year cannot guide the first months, and residents could not see the plan for their money until well after the year began.
It could be because…
The Township may be waiting each year for grant approvals, and the province's and Canada's funding decisions can come late.
A smaller municipality may run on a temporary spending authority at the start of the year. We did not look for one.
Questions you could ask
When were the 2025 and 2026 budgets first presented to council, and why was 2024's adopted in June?
Will the Township post budgets by year, not only the latest one?
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 Pelee?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Note 8, Budget: "The Financial Plan (Budget) By-Law adopted by Council on June 25, 2024". Reconciliation: debt principal repayments 64,683; capital expenditures 8,121,783; less new debt issued 400,000; amortization 450,000; transfers from reserves 7,298,654; budgeted annual surplus 37,812.
$525,000shoreline lines in the 2026 administration budget: $200,000 + $250,000 + $75,000 (worked out by us)
The administration budget has capital lines for shoreline protection: $200,000 "Capital Shoreline Protection Annual" and $250,000 "Capital Emergency Shoreline Protection" in 2025 and again in 2026, plus a new $75,000 "Capital-Shoreline Study" for 2026. Together that is $525,000 (worked out by us), more than a third of the administration expenses of $1,496,117. The 2026 revenue side includes $250,000 "Surplus-Previous Designated Year"; the budget does not say what it is meant to pay for. The budget shows what was planned for earlier years, but not what was spent.
Why it matters
Erosion of an island's shore is a real cost. Residents may want to know what has been built, where, and what a $75,000 study will decide.
It could be because…
Shoreline erosion on Lake Erie is a known risk for the island, and emergency work cannot always wait for a plan.
The $250,000 "emergency" amount may be set aside each year in case it is needed, and may not be spent in a year without a storm.
Questions you could ask
How much was spent on shoreline protection in 2024 and 2025, on what work and where?
What will the $75,000 shoreline study decide, and when will council see 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 Pelee?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Administration, 2026 budget: 18-100-7803 Capital Shoreline Protection Annual $200,000 (also 2021 $200,000; 2022 $450,000; 2023 $200,000; 2024 $200,000; 2025 $200,000); Capital Emergency Shoreline Protection $250,000 (2023 to 2026); Capital-Shoreline Study $75,000 (2026 only). Expense total $1,496,117.
Administration revenue, 2026 budget: 15-100-7950 Surplus-Previous Designated Year $250,000; Transfer from Reserve $45,000 and $75,000; Revenue Total $3,076,407.
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