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by hand, Oct 2026DetailsThis is built from public records, which leave a lot out, and some of it may be wrong or out of date.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 Sarnia'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 Sarnia's financial reports and meeting minutes, and compared its numbers with 11 similar Ontario places. 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.
$5,598,971forecast shortfall in the 2025 operating budget at mid-year; $4,944,370 of the 2026 budget funds a prior-year deficit
A city plans its yearly spending in an operating budget, then checks in during the year with a forecast. The 2026 budget book prints the City's mid-year forecast for 2025 next to the 2025 budget. Expenses were forecast at $188,950,244 against a budget of $184,252,270, leaving a shortfall of $5,598,971. The budget's own notes call it a "2025 forecasted operating deficit" and say $4,944,370 of the 2026 budget goes to "Operating Contingency (Fund Prior-Year Deficit)", paid for by cutting the contribution to the Capital Infrastructure reserve (a savings account for roads, pipes and buildings). The audited 2025 statements are on a different accounting basis and do not print the year-end operating result.
Found by reading the city's own documents · 4 sources
$17,858,949spent on recreation and cultural services in 2025, against a budget of $14,476,434
The budget book prints each arena's actual 2024 cost next to its 2025 budget. The Progressive Auto Sales Arena cost $1,478,914 net in 2024 (costs less its own revenue). The 2025 budget planned $470,234 and the mid-year forecast was $1,269,034. Building maintenance was $935,497 in 2024 against a 2025 budget of $131,450. Across all of Community Services, the mid-year forecast was $13,610,227 against a budget of $11,280,667. The audited statements show the same pattern: recreation and cultural services cost $17,858,949 in 2025 against a budget of $14,476,434, and $15,186,774 in 2024 against $13,768,419 (our working out: 23.4% over in 2025, 10.3% over in 2024). The budget notes explain the 2026 increases for gas, electricity and water, but we did not find a note on the building maintenance line.
Found by reading the city's own documents · 6 sources
$5,260,991one-time transfers from reserves in the 2026 budget to ease the tax increase
A reserve is money the City sets aside for a later need. The 2026 budget holds the City tax rate increase to 3.93% by taking $5,260,991 in one-time transfers from six reserves, and by cutting the yearly contribution to the Capital Infrastructure reserve by $3.0 million. The budget says reserve measures lower the increase by 8.70 percentage points, and that 5.41 points come from "the reversal of prior year mitigation measures", meaning the one-time help used last year has to be paid back into the budget. The City's own 2024 Financial Report says the reserve position "remains below recommended levels".
Found by reading the city's own documents · 5 sources
8.41%increase in the 2026 police levy, against 1.44% for the rest of the general levy
The police levy (the part of property taxes that pays for police) rises from $35,729,173 to $38,733,664 in 2026, up $3,004,491 or 8.41%. The rest of the general levy rises 1.44%. The City's chart shows police is 73% of the approved tax increase (our working out: $3,004,491 is 73% of the $4,111,693 total increase). Within the police budget, civilian costs rise 17.85% ($813,081) and the 2025 budget had been balanced with $640,667 from reserves that does not repeat. The pages we read give no note explaining the civilian increase. The audited statements show protection services salaries and benefits rising from $52,653,169 in 2024 to $57,968,797 in 2025 (our working out: 10.1%).
Found by reading the city's own documents · 6 sources
$4.1 millionadded to the 2026 budget for the BACE project "pending further investigation"
Council added several items to the 2026 budget by amendment: $100,000 for Sarnia Downtown Collective beautification, $65,000 for the Sarnia Heritage Committee to host the Ontario Heritage Conference, $2 million for the Bright's Grove Library, and "$4.1 million to support the Sarnia BACE Project, pending further investigation". The budget also says Council gave tentative approval to a $4.1 million loan for phase 1 of the BACE Multi-Use Facility, at 3.11% over five years, with $769,869 of principal and $116,598 of interest budgeted for 2026. The City's debt at the end of 2025 was $98,554, with the last bank loan paid off in January 2026, so this would be a new loan for a City with almost no debt. The pages we read do not say what BACE stands for.
Found by reading the city's own documents · 5 sources
$2,632,130paid for WSIB claims in 2025, up from $1,694,846 in 2024
Sarnia pays its own workplace injury claims through the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) instead of paying a yearly premium. Payments were $2,632,130 in 2025, up from $1,694,846 in 2024 (our working out: 55.3%). Claims already in force rose from $5,983,400 to $13,812,600. The City's estimate of future claims is $12,149,300 and its reserve for them is $4,741,619. The 2026 budget takes $2.5 million of that reserve (and $2,159,131 from the self-insurance reserve) to ease the tax increase. The statements say the City's retiree health and dental promise of $19,733,600 has no reserve at all.
Found by reading the city's own documents · 4 sources
$123,485,893cash in the bank at December 31, 2025, with $600,000 in investments and $98,554 of debt
At December 31, 2025 the City had $123,485,893 in a bank account and only $600,000 in investments (six GICs, which are fixed-term deposits). Its debt was $98,554. Yet the 2026 budget says the City's "revenues are insufficient to meet the long-term infrastructure renewal needs": its assets would cost an estimated $4.6 billion to replace, the target spending is $83.8 million a year and the four-year average is $56.2 million. The money looks large but is mostly spoken for. The statements list $89,934,582 in reserves, $17,546,879 in reserve funds and $25,884,820 in restricted deferred revenue (worked out by us: together $133,366,281, more than the cash). The City's consultant also shows Sarnia's reserves and debt are well below the survey average.
Found by reading the city's own documents · 6 sources
$33,926,573annual surplus in 2025, against a budget of $1,710,398
The 2025 statements show an annual surplus of $33,926,573 against a budget of $1,710,398. A surplus in these statements is not the same as money left over. Net revenue from running the City was $4,894,088. The rest, $29,032,485 (our working out: 85.6% of the surplus), came from capital grants of $19,366,943 that must be spent on building things, $2,455,746 from developers, $3,099,834 of assets given to the City (not cash), and $4,784,540 as the increase in the City's share of its electricity company, Sarnia Power Corporation, of which only $1,995,654 arrived as cash dividends. The City spent $54,927,584 on capital assets in the year.
Found by reading the city's own documents · 5 sources
$5,598,971forecast shortfall in the 2025 operating budget at mid-year; $4,944,370 of the 2026 budget funds a prior-year deficit
A city plans its yearly spending in an operating budget, then checks in during the year with a forecast. The 2026 budget book prints the City's mid-year forecast for 2025 next to the 2025 budget. Expenses were forecast at $188,950,244 against a budget of $184,252,270, leaving a shortfall of $5,598,971. The budget's own notes call it a "2025 forecasted operating deficit" and say $4,944,370 of the 2026 budget goes to "Operating Contingency (Fund Prior-Year Deficit)", paid for by cutting the contribution to the Capital Infrastructure reserve (a savings account for roads, pipes and buildings). The audited 2025 statements are on a different accounting basis and do not print the year-end operating result.
Why it matters
A budget is the promise made to taxpayers about what the year will cost. A shortfall that is covered later by moving money out of the savings meant for roads and buildings is a real cost, even if it never shows up as a tax increase. Residents can only judge it if the year-end numbers are public.
It could be because…
The forecast was made mid-year. The final result may have been better or worse, and the City may have already reported it to Council.
Part of the forecast shortfall is in the water, sewer and transit budgets (the forecast shows $819,385, $191,178 and $586,939), which have their own reserves and rates.
Using a reserve is what it is for. The reserve exists to absorb a bad year, and the City says it is rebuilding it.
The audited statements are prepared on a different basis from the operating budget, so a shortfall in one can sit beside a large surplus in the other.
Questions you could ask
What was the actual year-end 2025 operating result for the general levy, police, transit, water and sewer, and where was it reported to Council?
The forecast shortfall is $5,598,971 but $4,944,370 is set aside for the prior-year deficit. What explains the difference?
What caused the 2025 shortfall, and which of those costs are one-time and which will repeat?
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 Sarnia?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
2490 Corporate Municipal, Contribution to Reserve: "6581 Operating Contingency (Fund Prior-Year Deficit)" 2025 approved budget $0, 2026 approved budget $4,944,370; "6615 Capital Infrastructure" $1,914,775 and "(Asset Mgmt)" $2,571,504 in 2025 are $0 in 2026, while a separate "(Retired Debt)" line rises from $1,100,000 to $1,922,859; total contributions 6,340,578 to 7,621,528. The note says: "The contribution to 6615 Capital Infrastructure has been reduced by a necessary contribution to 6581 Operating Contingency to recover the 2025 forecasted operating deficit".
$17,858,949spent on recreation and cultural services in 2025, against a budget of $14,476,434
The budget book prints each arena's actual 2024 cost next to its 2025 budget. The Progressive Auto Sales Arena cost $1,478,914 net in 2024 (costs less its own revenue). The 2025 budget planned $470,234 and the mid-year forecast was $1,269,034. Building maintenance was $935,497 in 2024 against a 2025 budget of $131,450. Across all of Community Services, the mid-year forecast was $13,610,227 against a budget of $11,280,667. The audited statements show the same pattern: recreation and cultural services cost $17,858,949 in 2025 against a budget of $14,476,434, and $15,186,774 in 2024 against $13,768,419 (our working out: 23.4% over in 2025, 10.3% over in 2024). The budget notes explain the 2026 increases for gas, electricity and water, but we did not find a note on the building maintenance line.
Why it matters
When the same service runs over budget two years in a row, the budget may be set too low to be a reliable promise, or there may be a repair bill that taxpayers should know about. Arenas are old buildings and big repairs are normal, but a plan that starts well below last year's actual cost needs a reason.
It could be because…
The 2025 budget is for the operating year, and a one-time repair in 2024 would not belong in it. The City may have paid for 2024 repairs from reserves and booked them as operating costs.
The arena equipment is old. In January 2026 Council accepted tenders to replace the rooftop heating and cooling unit and the ice refrigeration plant, which suggests repairs were already building up.
The statements move the budget onto a different accounting basis, which can place costs under different headings from the budget book.
Rainbow Park shows $479,188 in the mid-year forecast with no 2025 budget. The pages we read do not say what it was, so the gap may be a project that was added during the year.
Questions you could ask
What work made up the $935,497 of building maintenance at the Progressive Auto Sales Arena in 2024, and why was the 2025 budget $131,450?
What was the actual 2025 net cost of each arena, and what is the 2026 approved budget based on?
What was the $479,188 at Rainbow Park in the 2025 forecast?
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 Sarnia?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Note 15(g), Contractual obligations: at its January 19, 2026 meeting Council accepted tenders for "the replacement of the HVAC roof top unit at Progressive Auto Sales Arena for a total cost of $2,170,541" and for "the replacement of the refrigeration plant for a total cost of $2,597,831".
$5,260,991one-time transfers from reserves in the 2026 budget to ease the tax increase
A reserve is money the City sets aside for a later need. The 2026 budget holds the City tax rate increase to 3.93% by taking $5,260,991 in one-time transfers from six reserves, and by cutting the yearly contribution to the Capital Infrastructure reserve by $3.0 million. The budget says reserve measures lower the increase by 8.70 percentage points, and that 5.41 points come from "the reversal of prior year mitigation measures", meaning the one-time help used last year has to be paid back into the budget. The City's own 2024 Financial Report says the reserve position "remains below recommended levels".
Why it matters
One-time money lowers this year's bill but does not lower next year's. If the same trick is needed every year, the reserves run down and the tax increase that was put off arrives later, with the roads and pipes still waiting.
It could be because…
Reserves are meant to be used. Drawing on an insurance or contingency reserve in a tight year is normal, and the City says these are one-time adjustments.
The budget shows the 2026 increase includes 5.41 points for undoing last year's help, so the City is not hiding the pattern.
Several of the reserves drawn on (self-insurance, WSIB) may hold more than their actuaries say is needed.
Questions you could ask
How much of the 2026 budget depends on one-time money, and what will replace it in the 2027 budget?
What is the plan, with dates, to rebuild the Capital Infrastructure reserve after the $3.0 million cut?
What level does the City say its reserves should reach, and when does it expect to get there?
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 Sarnia?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
2026 Budget Context and Challenges, Mitigation Measures: "To mitigate tax rate increases several efforts were made to reduce the budget without impacting service levels, including the following one-time adjustments": $3.0 million reduction to Capital Infrastructure Reserve; $380,428 from Operating Contingency Reserve; $2.5 million from WSIB Self-Insurance Reserve - General; $2.1 million from Self-Insurance Reserve; $171,000 from Tax Stabilization Reserve; $30,000 from the Facade Improvement Loan Reserve; $20,000 from the Pedestrian Safety Reserve.
Of the total increase: "5.41 per cent reflects the reversal of prior year mitigation measures", "-8.70 per cent reflects reserve mitigation measures", "3.28 per cent results from changes outside of management control", "3.16 per cent represents the increase operating costs for police services". Approved City levy increase 4.32 per cent, approved tax rate increase 3.93 per cent.
Reserves and reserve funds: "As of year-end 2024, the City’s total reserves and reserve funds stood at $130.3 million" (130,275 in $000's), and "the overall reserve position remains below recommended levels". It adds that "a significant portion of these reserves has already been committed to funding capital projects".
Note 16, Budget figures: the 2025 approved operating budget is reconciled to the statements by removing "Net contribution from reserve and reserve funds" of (3,927,080) from revenue in 2025 and (7,378,611) in 2024.
8.41%increase in the 2026 police levy, against 1.44% for the rest of the general levy
The police levy (the part of property taxes that pays for police) rises from $35,729,173 to $38,733,664 in 2026, up $3,004,491 or 8.41%. The rest of the general levy rises 1.44%. The City's chart shows police is 73% of the approved tax increase (our working out: $3,004,491 is 73% of the $4,111,693 total increase). Within the police budget, civilian costs rise 17.85% ($813,081) and the 2025 budget had been balanced with $640,667 from reserves that does not repeat. The pages we read give no note explaining the civilian increase. The audited statements show protection services salaries and benefits rising from $52,653,169 in 2024 to $57,968,797 in 2025 (our working out: 10.1%).
Why it matters
Police is the largest single line in the City's budget. A rise that is more than five times the rest of the general levy shapes what every homeowner pays. Residents should be able to see what they are getting for the extra money.
It could be because…
The police budget is set by the Police Service Board, and Council approves only the total. Wage settlements for officers are set by arbitration or agreement and the City cannot choose them.
Part of the jump is a one-time effect: the 2025 police station budget used $640,667 from reserves, and 2026 does not, so the levy has to pay for it.
Civilian staff (dispatch, records, and support) may have been added to cover duties that were new or growing.
Salary growth in 2025 in the statements includes benefits and unfunded-liability changes, not only pay.
Questions you could ask
What makes up the $813,081 increase in police civilian costs, and how many positions is it?
How much of the 8.41% is a wage settlement and how much is new staff or new programs?
What will the police budget need in 2027 if the 2025 reserve funding of $640,667 is not 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 Sarnia?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Total Amount to be Collected through Taxation: "Police Services" 2025 approved 35,729,173, 2026 approved 38,733,664, change 3,004,491, 8.41%. "General Operating" 54,103,115 to 54,884,383, 781,268, 1.44%. "Total Taxation" 95,147,778 to 99,258,759, change 4,111,693, 4.32%.
"Police Services" 2026 expenditures 42,075,205 against 39,411,746 in 2025 (6.76%). The chart "Approved Property Tax Increase By Service Type" shows Police Services 73%, General 19%, Transit 8%.
"The approved budget from the Police Services Board represents an 8.41 per cent increase to the Police Services Budget. This amounts to a 3.16 per cent increase to the City's net operating expenses to be raised through taxation."
2615 POLICE - CIVILIAN: salaries 3,413,521 in 2025 budget, 4,007,068 in 2026; expense total 4,553,842 to 5,366,923, change 813,081, 17.85%. No explanatory note is printed on the page.
2625 POLICE - STATION: "CONTRIBUTION FROM RESERVES" 4-06220 (134,106) in 2024 actuals and (640,667) in the 2025 budget, nothing in 2026 (100.00%). Revenue total (667,032) in 2025 budget, (27,000) in 2026.
$4.1 millionadded to the 2026 budget for the BACE project "pending further investigation"
Council added several items to the 2026 budget by amendment: $100,000 for Sarnia Downtown Collective beautification, $65,000 for the Sarnia Heritage Committee to host the Ontario Heritage Conference, $2 million for the Bright's Grove Library, and "$4.1 million to support the Sarnia BACE Project, pending further investigation". The budget also says Council gave tentative approval to a $4.1 million loan for phase 1 of the BACE Multi-Use Facility, at 3.11% over five years, with $769,869 of principal and $116,598 of interest budgeted for 2026. The City's debt at the end of 2025 was $98,554, with the last bank loan paid off in January 2026, so this would be a new loan for a City with almost no debt. The pages we read do not say what BACE stands for.
Why it matters
Borrowing $4.1 million is a commitment for five years. A project that is still "pending further investigation" when it is put into a budget and financed is worth a plain question: what was investigated, by whom, and when will Council decide?
It could be because…
Putting a placeholder into the budget is a normal way to keep a decision open. The budget says Council has only given tentative approval and that the loan rate will be the rate on the day it is issued.
Council may have decided the project needs partner money or grants before it goes ahead, which is the further investigation.
A loan from Infrastructure Ontario at a low rate may cost less than waiting, and the City has almost no debt, so it has room to borrow.
Questions you could ask
What does BACE stand for, who is the partner or owner of the facility, and what is the total project cost?
What further investigation is the $4.1 million waiting on, who is doing it, and when will Council report back in public?
If the loan goes ahead, which revenue pays the $886,467 a year (worked out by us from the two 2026 debt lines), and does the City get a share of the building or a lease?
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 Sarnia?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Budget additions by Council Amendment: "$100,000 for Sarnia Downtown Collective beautification projects", "$65,000 for the Sarnia Heritage Committee to host the Ontario Heritage Conference", "$2 million for the Bright’s Grove Library Project", "$4.1 million to support the Sarnia BACE Project, pending further investigation".
Major investments in the 2026 Approved Capital Plan: "$4.1 million for phase 1 of the BACE Year-Round Campus (pending further investigation)". General Levy: 0.83 per cent "reflects Council amendments to General Levy".
5500 Debt Charges: "DEBT CHARGES - BACE PRINCIPAL" 5-05752 769,869 and "DEBT CHARGES - BACE INTEREST" 5-05753 116,598 for 2026. Note: "At the November 25, 2025 Budget Deliberations meeting, Council gave tentative approval to finance a $4.1 million loan for Phase 1 of the BACE Multi-Use Facility. The budget amount is based on a 5-year term at an interest rate of 3.11%". "If Council decides to move forward, the rate in effect on the date the loan is issued will apply."
$2,632,130paid for WSIB claims in 2025, up from $1,694,846 in 2024
Sarnia pays its own workplace injury claims through the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) instead of paying a yearly premium. Payments were $2,632,130 in 2025, up from $1,694,846 in 2024 (our working out: 55.3%). Claims already in force rose from $5,983,400 to $13,812,600. The City's estimate of future claims is $12,149,300 and its reserve for them is $4,741,619. The 2026 budget takes $2.5 million of that reserve (and $2,159,131 from the self-insurance reserve) to ease the tax increase. The statements say the City's retiree health and dental promise of $19,733,600 has no reserve at all.
Why it matters
A reserve exists to pay claims that come later. If it is used to lower taxes while claims are rising, the gap lands on future taxpayers. It also says something about workplace safety if injury costs are rising.
It could be because…
The big swing in "in-force claims" may come from a new actuarial valuation (an expert's estimate), not from more injuries. The statements also show a large swing in unamortized gains and losses that nets the total down to $12,149,300.
The reserve was only ever meant to cover part of the liability, and the City may judge $4,741,619 more than is needed in a given year.
A few long, expensive claims can move the total a lot in a city of this size.
Questions you could ask
What caused WSIB payments to rise from $1,694,846 to $2,632,130, and how many claims are open?
Why were in-force claims revalued from $5,983,400 to $13,812,600, and what is the plan for the reserve after the $2.5 million withdrawal?
Does the City plan to set money aside for the $19,733,600 retiree benefit liability?
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 Sarnia?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Note 9(b), Workplace Safety and Insurance Board: "The payments made for the year were $2,632,130 (2024 - $1,694,846)." Future benefit costs estimated at $12,149,300 (2024 - $12,691,300): in-force claims 13,812,600 (2024: 5,983,400), provision for future claims 4,753,900, unamortized gains/(losses) (6,417,200) (2024: 4,502,900). "The balance at the end of the year is $4,741,619 (2024 - $4,919,264)."
Note 9(c), Post-Retirement Benefits: accrued benefit liability 19,733,600 (2024: 20,051,400). "No reserve fund has been established to provide for these liabilities."
$123,485,893cash in the bank at December 31, 2025, with $600,000 in investments and $98,554 of debt
At December 31, 2025 the City had $123,485,893 in a bank account and only $600,000 in investments (six GICs, which are fixed-term deposits). Its debt was $98,554. Yet the 2026 budget says the City's "revenues are insufficient to meet the long-term infrastructure renewal needs": its assets would cost an estimated $4.6 billion to replace, the target spending is $83.8 million a year and the four-year average is $56.2 million. The money looks large but is mostly spoken for. The statements list $89,934,582 in reserves, $17,546,879 in reserve funds and $25,884,820 in restricted deferred revenue (worked out by us: together $133,366,281, more than the cash). The City's consultant also shows Sarnia's reserves and debt are well below the survey average.
Why it matters
Residents hear both that the City has little debt and a lot of cash, and that it cannot afford to keep up its roads and pipes. Both can be true, but the public should be able to see how much of the cash is free to spend and how it is invested while it waits.
It could be because…
Most of the cash is spoken for: the reserves, reserve funds and restricted grants and development charges listed in the statements add up to more than the cash on hand.
The City's 2024 Financial Report says reserves are "below recommended levels" and mostly committed to capital projects, so the cash is not spare.
Cash held for a $65 million capital budget has to be available when contracts are paid.
The City may keep cash in the bank to avoid borrowing for projects, which explains why debt is so low.
Questions you could ask
How much of the $123,485,893 in the bank is free to spend, and how much is committed to reserves, grants and contracts?
Why is almost all of it held in a bank account that earns a prime-linked rate, and what does the City's investment policy say?
What would it cost, year by year, to close the gap between $56.2 million and $83.8 million a year?
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 Sarnia?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Note 4, Cash and Investments: "Cash in bank" 123,485,893, "Investments" 600,000, total 124,102,947 (2024: 124,878,489). "The cash in bank is held at a Canadian chartered bank and earns interest based on average monthly prime rate." The investments are six GICs at effective interest rates between 3.35% and 3.54%, maturing in 2026. An $8,000,000 line of credit had no amount drawn.
Asset Management: "Total estimated asset replacement value: $4.6 billion", "Annual target re-investment rate: 1.8 per cent or $83.8 million", "Current 4-year average annual investment: 1.2 per cent or $56.2 million". "The City’s revenues are insufficient to meet the long-term infrastructure renewal needs or address the infrastructure backlog."
Reserves and reserve funds: total 130,275 (in $000's) at year-end 2024; "Outstanding Debt ($000's)" $1,044; "the overall reserve position remains below recommended levels".
$33,926,573annual surplus in 2025, against a budget of $1,710,398
The 2025 statements show an annual surplus of $33,926,573 against a budget of $1,710,398. A surplus in these statements is not the same as money left over. Net revenue from running the City was $4,894,088. The rest, $29,032,485 (our working out: 85.6% of the surplus), came from capital grants of $19,366,943 that must be spent on building things, $2,455,746 from developers, $3,099,834 of assets given to the City (not cash), and $4,784,540 as the increase in the City's share of its electricity company, Sarnia Power Corporation, of which only $1,995,654 arrived as cash dividends. The City spent $54,927,584 on capital assets in the year.
Why it matters
A headline surplus can look like unspent tax money. Here most of it is grants tied to projects and paper gains, but readers cannot tell that without reading the notes.
It could be because…
The budget is set on a different basis and leaves out capital grants, so the gap is accounting, not unspent tax money.
Most of the surplus is tied to capital projects that are paid for in later years.
The City's share of Sarnia Power Corporation grows as the company keeps earnings, and the City may choose to keep them there.
Questions you could ask
How much of the 2025 surplus was spendable operating money, and how much was grants and non-cash items?
Does the City report its operating result on the budget basis in public each year?
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 Sarnia?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Consolidated Statement of Operations, 2025: "Annual Surplus" budget 1,710,398, actual 33,926,573. "Net revenue" 4,894,088. "Government transfers - capital (note 17)" 19,366,943; "Contributions - Developers" 2,455,746; "Contribution of tangible capital assets" 3,099,834; "Share of LAWSS (decrease) increase" (674,578); "Sarnia Power Corporation, net change in equity" 4,784,540; other revenue subtotal 29,032,485.
Note 6, Continuity of Investment: net income for the year 6,780,194, "Dividends received during the year" (1,995,654), "Net increase in equity during the year" 4,784,540.
Note 17, Government Transfers: "Total Capital" 19,366,943, including Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund 7,926,090 and Next Generation 911 2,406,054.
Note 16, Budget figures: "Approved Operating Budget" 184,252,273; "Total Net Revenue" 1,710,398 after adjustments including "Net contribution to reserve, reserve funds and capital" (27,882,980).
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