Questions · 10 so far
We read Seguin's financial reports and meeting minutes, and compared its numbers with 7 similar Ontario towns. These are the things that stood out.
There may well be a good reason. It is still worth asking what it is.
$731,885booked as donations and other in 2024, against a budget of $51,000
The 2024 statements budgeted $51,000 for "Donations and other" and booked $731,885. The year before it was $2,059,336. The statements put all of it under recreation and cultural services, and do not say who gave or what it was for.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
$1,399,953rise in recreation and cultural grants from 2023 to 2024 (worked out by us)
Provincial grants overall were $4,532,913 in 2024 against a budget of $3,571,333. Most of the change is in recreation and cultural services, where grants went from $429,794 in 2023 to $1,829,747 in 2024. The statements do not say which grants these were.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
$2,667,596total reserves at the end of 2024, down from $3,229,855
Reserves are savings set aside by Council. Total reserves fell from $3,229,855 to $2,667,596 in 2024. The "Other" reserve for acquiring capital assets fell by about two thirds, and the salary grid movement reserve went from $75,903 to nothing. The statements also show an "Other" surplus that is negative: ($281,286) in 2024 and ($1,886,070) in 2023.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
$7,172,810accounts receivable at the end of 2024, up from $5,198,097
Accounts receivable, money other parties owe the Township, grew by about 38 percent in 2024 (worked out by us). That is more than all the cash the Township held at the end of the year, $4,216,814.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
$611,384paid to Belvedere Heights Home for the Aged in 2024, up from $420,573
Seguin's payments to the joint boards it does not run itself rose from $2,189,539 to $2,442,812 in 2024. Its payment to Belvedere Heights Home for the Aged went up by about 45 percent (worked out by us).
Found by reading the town's own documents · 1 source
+60%water, sewers and garbage, 2019 to 2025
Seguin spent $1.1M on water, sewers and garbage in 2019 and $1.7M in 2025. Prices only went up about 21% in that time.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 2 sources
$6.4Min savings at the end of 2025
Towns keep savings (called reserves) to pay for new trucks, roof repairs and surprises. Seguin had $6.4M saved at the end of 2025, up from $6.4M in 2019. That is 31% of one year's spending. Only 1 of 7 similar towns had less, compared with what they spend.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 2 sources
Background that helps make sense of the rest.
$1,749,262actual surplus in 2024, against a budgeted deficit of $607,589
The budget column in the 2024 statements planned an annual deficit of $607,589. The actual result was a surplus of $1,749,262. Revenue came in at $24,046,828 against a budget of $22,145,800, and expenses at $22,297,566 against $22,753,389.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 1 source
September 15, 2025date of the auditor's report on the 2024 statements, the latest we found
The Budget and Treasury page links audited statements for the year ended December 31, 2024 only. The auditor signed that report on September 15, 2025. We did not find statements for 2025 on the pages we read, as of October 7, 2026.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
15 dayssuspension of pay recommended by the Integrity Commissioner
The Integrity Commissioner investigated two formal complaints and found that Councillor Ted Collins contravened sections 7.1 and 7.2 of the Code of Conduct, which cover bullying, intimidation and insulting words. She recommended a formal reprimand, 15 days of suspended pay and training. The report was due before Council on June 15, 2026. We did not read the minutes and do not know what Council decided.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
$731,885booked as donations and other in 2024, against a budget of $51,000
The 2024 statements budgeted $51,000 for "Donations and other" and booked $731,885. The year before it was $2,059,336. The statements put all of it under recreation and cultural services, and do not say who gave or what it was for.
A gift can only be spent on what the giver meant. When a line is many times its budget, residents can fairly ask where it came from and where it went.
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 Seguin? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The Statement of Operations shows "Donations and other" at 51,000 for the 2024 budget, 731,885 for 2024 and 2,059,336 for 2023.
Consolidated Financial Statements, Township of Seguin, December 31, 2024 (KPMG LLP) · page 8, Consolidated Statement of Operations, revenues (read from the text layer, labels and numbers on one line)
The segmented schedule shows "Donations and other" of 731,885 in the Recreation & Cultural Services column only, and 2,059,336 for 2023 in the same column.
Consolidated Financial Statements, Township of Seguin, December 31, 2024 (KPMG LLP) · pages 25 and 26, Schedule to Note 14 - Segmented Information
Note 13 says the Township has a 25.0% interest in the West Parry Sound Recreation and Cultural Centre, "currently in its construction phase".
Consolidated Financial Statements, Township of Seguin, December 31, 2024 (KPMG LLP) · page 21, note 13
$1,399,953rise in recreation and cultural grants from 2023 to 2024 (worked out by us)
Provincial grants overall were $4,532,913 in 2024 against a budget of $3,571,333. Most of the change is in recreation and cultural services, where grants went from $429,794 in 2023 to $1,829,747 in 2024. The statements do not say which grants these were.
Grants often come with conditions and a deadline. A big rise in one area tells residents a major project is being paid for, and they can ask what it is.
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 Seguin? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
"Provincial grants" are 3,571,333 for the 2024 budget, 4,532,913 for 2024 and 3,077,913 for 2023.
Consolidated Financial Statements, Township of Seguin, December 31, 2024 (KPMG LLP) · page 8, Consolidated Statement of Operations
"Province of Ontario grants" in the Recreation & Cultural Services column are 1,829,747 for 2024 (total 4,532,913), and 429,794 for 2023 (total 3,077,913).
Consolidated Financial Statements, Township of Seguin, December 31, 2024 (KPMG LLP) · pages 25 and 26, Schedule to Note 14 - Segmented Information
$2,667,596total reserves at the end of 2024, down from $3,229,855
Reserves are savings set aside by Council. Total reserves fell from $3,229,855 to $2,667,596 in 2024. The "Other" reserve for acquiring capital assets fell by about two thirds, and the salary grid movement reserve went from $75,903 to nothing. The statements also show an "Other" surplus that is negative: ($281,286) in 2024 and ($1,886,070) in 2023.
Reserves pay for roads, trucks and buildings when they wear out. If they shrink, the choice later is higher taxes, more debt or fewer repairs.
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 Seguin? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Note 9 lists "Other" under acquisition of capital assets at 271,270 (2024) and 800,696 (2023); "Salary grid movement" at - (2024) and 75,903 (2023); "Total reserves" at 2,667,596 and 3,229,855; and "Total reserve funds" at 5,094,426 and 5,182,190.
Consolidated Financial Statements, Township of Seguin, December 31, 2024 (KPMG LLP) · page 18, note 9, Accumulated surplus
Note 9 also lists the surplus line "Other" as (281,286) for 2024 and (1,886,070) for 2023.
Consolidated Financial Statements, Township of Seguin, December 31, 2024 (KPMG LLP) · page 18, note 9, Accumulated surplus
$7,172,810accounts receivable at the end of 2024, up from $5,198,097
Accounts receivable, money other parties owe the Township, grew by about 38 percent in 2024 (worked out by us). That is more than all the cash the Township held at the end of the year, $4,216,814.
Money owed is not money in the bank. Residents may want to know who owes it, how soon it is due and whether it is certain to arrive.
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 Seguin? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The Statement of Financial Position shows "Accounts receivable" of 7,172,810 (2024) and 5,198,097 (2023), and "Cash" of $ 4,216,814 (2024).
Consolidated Financial Statements, Township of Seguin, December 31, 2024 (KPMG LLP) · page 7, Consolidated Statement of Financial Position
Note 13 shows the shared recreation centre's own "Accounts receivable" as 6,985,495 and says the Township accounts for its interest using proportionate consolidation.
Consolidated Financial Statements, Township of Seguin, December 31, 2024 (KPMG LLP) · pages 21 to 22, note 13
$611,384paid to Belvedere Heights Home for the Aged in 2024, up from $420,573
Seguin's payments to the joint boards it does not run itself rose from $2,189,539 to $2,442,812 in 2024. Its payment to Belvedere Heights Home for the Aged went up by about 45 percent (worked out by us).
Joint boards set a bill and send it to each municipality. Council has a vote on the board, but residents rarely see why the bill changes.
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 Seguin? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Note 6 lists contributions to joint boards: "Belvedere Heights Home for the Aged" 611,384 (2024) and 420,573 (2023), and a total of 2,442,812 (2024) and 2,189,539 (2023).
Consolidated Financial Statements, Township of Seguin, December 31, 2024 (KPMG LLP) · page 16, note 6, Contributions to unconsolidated joint boards
+60%water, sewers and garbage, 2019 to 2025
Seguin spent $1.1M on water, sewers and garbage in 2019 and $1.7M in 2025. Prices only went up about 21% in that time.
| Year | Water, sewers and garbage | Prices (inflation) |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | +0% | +0% |
| 2020 | +7% | +1% |
| 2021 | +5% | +4% |
| 2022 | +2% | +11% |
| 2023 | +50% | +16% |
| 2024 | +51% | +18% |
| 2025 | +60% | +21% |
Change since the first year shown. The grey line is how much prices rose overall, for comparison.
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.
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 Seguin? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Water, sewers and garbage: 2019 $1.1M, 2020 $1.2M, 2021 $1.1M, 2022 $1.1M, 2023 $1.6M, 2024 $1.6M, 2025 $1.7M.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2025 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
Biggest driver: Garbage pickup, from $306K to $624K.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2025 · Schedule 40 · archived copy
$6.4Min savings at the end of 2025
Towns keep savings (called reserves) to pay for new trucks, roof repairs and surprises. Seguin had $6.4M saved at the end of 2025, up from $6.4M in 2019. That is 31% of one year's spending. Only 1 of 7 similar towns had less, compared with what they spend.
| Year | Savings (reserves) |
|---|---|
| 2019 | $6.4M |
| 2020 | $6.4M |
| 2021 | $6.8M |
| 2022 | $7.5M |
| 2023 | $8.4M |
| 2024 | $8.1M |
| 2025 | $6.4M |
With little saved, a broken bridge or a storm has to be paid for with a sudden tax increase or a loan. Low savings can also mean past budgets were balanced by spending savings instead of facing the real cost.
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 Seguin? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Savings (reserves and reserve funds): 2019 $6.4M, 2020 $6.4M, 2021 $6.8M, 2022 $7.5M, 2023 $8.4M, 2024 $8.1M, 2025 $6.4M.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2025 · Schedule 70, line 6420 · archived copy
Typical among similar towns: savings equal to 90% of a year's spending. Seguin: 31%.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2025, 7 similar municipalities · Schedules 40 and 70 · archived copy
$1,749,262actual surplus in 2024, against a budgeted deficit of $607,589
The budget column in the 2024 statements planned an annual deficit of $607,589. The actual result was a surplus of $1,749,262. Revenue came in at $24,046,828 against a budget of $22,145,800, and expenses at $22,297,566 against $22,753,389.
A budget that regularly expects less than it gets is easy to live within, but it also means taxes may be set higher than the year turns out to need.
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 Seguin? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The Statement of Operations shows total revenue of 22,145,800 (budget), 24,046,828 (2024); an annual surplus (deficit) of (607,589) (budget) and 1,749,262 (2024); and expenses of 22,753,389 (budget) and 22,297,566 (2024).
Consolidated Financial Statements, Township of Seguin, December 31, 2024 (KPMG LLP) · page 8, Consolidated Statement of Operations
September 15, 2025date of the auditor's report on the 2024 statements, the latest we found
The Budget and Treasury page links audited statements for the year ended December 31, 2024 only. The auditor signed that report on September 15, 2025. We did not find statements for 2025 on the pages we read, as of October 7, 2026.
Audited statements are how residents check the Township's own account of its year. The election is October 26, 2026, and voting opens October 14.
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 Seguin? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The auditor's report on the 2024 statements is signed "September 15, 2025".
Consolidated Financial Statements, Township of Seguin, December 31, 2024 (KPMG LLP) · page 6, Independent Auditor's Report
The "Resources" list on the Budget and Treasury page links "2026 Budget PDF", "Asset Management PDF", "Audited Financial Statements PDF" and "Development Charges PDF". The statements file it links is for the year ended December 31, 2024. We read the page on October 7, 2026.
Township of Seguin, Budget and Treasury page · Budget and Treasury page, "Resources"
15 dayssuspension of pay recommended by the Integrity Commissioner
The Integrity Commissioner investigated two formal complaints and found that Councillor Ted Collins contravened sections 7.1 and 7.2 of the Code of Conduct, which cover bullying, intimidation and insulting words. She recommended a formal reprimand, 15 days of suspended pay and training. The report was due before Council on June 15, 2026. We did not read the minutes and do not know what Council decided.
The Code applies to every member. An outcome that is public shows residents that the rules are used. The Councillor responded in writing to the report and denied part of 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 Seguin? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The report states: "I find on a balance of probabilities that the Respondent contravened sections 7.1 and 7.2 of the Code in respect of the allegations in both Complaints."
Integrity Commissioner, Seguin Township Formal Code Complaints 260226 and 200326 · page 1, Summary
The recommendations are to "Issue a Formal Reprimand to Councillor Collins", "Suspend the remuneration of Councillor Collins for a period of 15 days" and direct training within six (6) weeks.
Integrity Commissioner, Seguin Township Formal Code Complaints 260226 and 200326 · page 11, IX. Recommendations
The 2025-26 annual report says the Commissioner received 1 formal complaint, with the report scheduled for the June 15, 2026 Council meeting, and records the disposition as "Complaint allegations- sustained". It lists $5,650.00 for Integrity Commissioner services.
Office of the Integrity Commissioner, Annual Report July 2025 - June 2026 · pages 1 and 3, annual report July 1, 2025 to June 1, 2026