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by hand, Oct 2026DetailsThis is built from public records, which leave a lot out, and some of it may be wrong or out of date.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 South Algonquin'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 · 9 so far
Things worth asking about
We read South Algonquin's financial reports and meeting minutes, and compared its numbers with 29 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.
$976,137spent on general government in 2024, against a budget of $891,203
General government is council and administration. In 2024 it cost $976,137, against a budget of $891,203 and $851,838 the year before. That is $84,934 over budget and $124,299 more than in 2023 (both worked out by us). It was the largest overspend (recreation and culture was next, at $43,618 over, worked out by us), while total expenses were $4,535,045 against a budget of $4,777,893. Two lines in the notes moved a lot. Contracted services, which means work bought from outside firms, rose to $191,016 from $133,019. Amortization, the yearly share of the cost of buildings and equipment, more than doubled, to $38,758 from $17,103, although the cash flow statement shows only $3,765 of general government assets bought in 2024.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 4 sources
$477,566closure obligation at the end of 2024, up from $394,066, none of it funded
The Township must close and look after its two landfill sites and two aggregate (gravel) pits when they stop being used. At the end of 2024 it reported an obligation of $477,566 for this, up from $394,066. The landfill part rose to $428,580 from $345,080 through an entry called "Accretion expense" of 83,500. The statements show the whole $477,566 as unfunded: the Township says it will raise the money in later years. The landfill reserve, savings set aside for the landfill, stayed at $344,050. We worked out that the $83,500 equals the rise in the two sites' stated future costs ($33,000 plus $50,500), and that the landfill total of $428,580 equals those two sites' costs before discounting ($253,900 plus $174,680), although the note says costs are discounted.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 4 sources
South Algonquin spent $516K on running the town office in 2019 and $889K in 2025. Prices only went up about 21% in that time. Only 3 of 29 similar towns had faster growth here.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 3 sources
$343,589taxes and user charges owed at the end of 2024, up from $275,486
At the end of 2024 the Township was owed $343,589 in taxes and user charges, up from $275,486. Taxes owed for the current year were $239,099, up from $187,620. The cash flow statement shows the rise as $68,103 of cash not yet collected. Over the same year the taxation and user charges line rose from $2,647,718 to $2,814,731. By our working, unpaid amounts rose about 24.7% against about 6.3% for the revenue (worked out by us).
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
$329,992transportation spending below budget in 2024 (worked out by us)
Transportation, mostly roads, was budgeted at $1,461,029 for 2024 and came in at $1,131,037, a difference of $329,992 or about 23% (worked out by us). It was $1,331,607 in 2023. The largest drop in the notes is the materials column, $273,631 against $426,180 in 2023. This is a lower bill than planned, not an overspend. The statements do not say what part of the budget was not spent. Note 9 says only that the operating budget is shown in the statement and that the capital budget is kept project by project.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
$680,335held in government-funded reserve funds at the end of 2024, up from $465,049
Obligatory reserve funds hold money from the federal and provincial governments that may be used only for named purposes. At the end of 2024 they held $680,335. The note gives the total movement: money received, interest earned, and $91,523 used. It also gives each fund's balance. Between the two tables the funds moved by +$221,076 (Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund), +$107,014 (Northern Ontario fund) and -$112,804 (Canada Community-Building Fund), which add to the total change of $215,286 (all worked out by us). The Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund received $117,229, so by our subtraction it needs $103,847 more than receipts to reach its balance. The Canada Community-Building Fund received $67,422 and fell by $112,804, so by our count at least $180,226 left it, while only $91,523 was used from all three funds.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
$90difference between the two printed Library reserve balances
Note 15, which covers the Library Board, shows a reserve of $30,985 at the end of 2024. The consolidated schedule of reserves shows "Library" at 30,895. The two figures differ by $90 and use the same digits in a different order, which may be a typing slip. The schedule's nine lines add up to its total of $2,342,979 only with 30,895 (worked out by us), and that total matches the statement of financial position.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
$110,857paid to the East Nipissing home for the aged in 2024; the capital share is not stated
South Algonquin helps pay for the East Nipissing District Home for the Aged, called Casselholme in the note, and gave $110,857 to it in 2024. Note 2 says the home is expanding. It says the Township's capital share will be "a loan at 0%" that is forgiven when the project is finished and the terms are met. The note gives no amount, and the statements record no loan or related obligation. The Township says it is also contingently liable for its share of any deficit at the home and other joint boards.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 1 source
$976,137spent on general government in 2024, against a budget of $891,203
General government is council and administration. In 2024 it cost $976,137, against a budget of $891,203 and $851,838 the year before. That is $84,934 over budget and $124,299 more than in 2023 (both worked out by us). It was the largest overspend (recreation and culture was next, at $43,618 over, worked out by us), while total expenses were $4,535,045 against a budget of $4,777,893. Two lines in the notes moved a lot. Contracted services, which means work bought from outside firms, rose to $191,016 from $133,019. Amortization, the yearly share of the cost of buildings and equipment, more than doubled, to $38,758 from $17,103, although the cash flow statement shows only $3,765 of general government assets bought in 2024.
Why it matters
General government is the cost of running the Township itself. When it climbs while the rest of the budget is under-spent, residents will want to know whether it was planned, and whether the 2025 and 2026 budgets allow for it.
It could be because…
Outside work such as legal advice, engineering or computer support can vary a lot from year to year, and one project can explain a rise of $57,997 (worked out by us).
Amortization is a bookkeeping charge, not cash. The notes say prior-year figures were reclassified "where applicable", so part of the change may be how amortization is shared among functions.
Council may have approved extra costs during the year.
Questions you could ask
What caused general government to cost $84,934 more than the 2024 budget?
What did the extra contracted services pay for, and will they continue?
Why did general government amortization more than double in 2024?
You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. Your town office can tell you how to reach council.
Speak for South Algonquin?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Statement of operations, General government: 2024 budget $891,203, 2024 actual $976,137, 2023 actual $851,838. Total expenses: budget $4,777,893, actual $4,535,045.
Note 1(d): "A full year of amortization is taken in the year of acquisition." Note 13: "The financial statements have been reclassified, where applicable to conform to the presentation used in the current year."
$477,566closure obligation at the end of 2024, up from $394,066, none of it funded
The Township must close and look after its two landfill sites and two aggregate (gravel) pits when they stop being used. At the end of 2024 it reported an obligation of $477,566 for this, up from $394,066. The landfill part rose to $428,580 from $345,080 through an entry called "Accretion expense" of 83,500. The statements show the whole $477,566 as unfunded: the Township says it will raise the money in later years. The landfill reserve, savings set aside for the landfill, stayed at $344,050. We worked out that the $83,500 equals the rise in the two sites' stated future costs ($33,000 plus $50,500), and that the landfill total of $428,580 equals those two sites' costs before discounting ($253,900 plus $174,680), although the note says costs are discounted.
Why it matters
Closing a landfill is a legal duty, and the bill comes due whether or not money was saved. An obligation that grows by about a fifth in a year, and that is paid for only by promises of future taxes, is a cost that today's residents are leaving to later ones.
It could be because…
The engineers' estimates of closure costs rose in 2024, which is how the two sites' costs went up by $33,000 and $50,500.
If the discount rate is "net of estimated inflation", it can be close to zero, so the discounted and undiscounted amounts can be nearly the same. That may be why they match.
The Township says in Note 5 that it will raise funds in later periods, and a municipality does not have to set the money aside in advance.
Questions you could ask
Why is the $83,500 labelled "Accretion expense" when it matches the rise in the sites' estimated costs?
Is the landfill reserve of $344,050 meant to be used for closure, and does Council plan to add to it?
How and when does the Township plan to raise the $477,566?
You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. Your town office can tell you how to reach council.
Speak for South Algonquin?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Note 10, Asset retirement obligation: Landfill $ 345,080 (2023 $ 345,080); Accretion expense 83,500; subtotal $ 428,580; Aggregate Pits 48,986; "Balance end of year" $ 477,566 (2023 $ 394,066). The note says the remaining costs "have been discounted at the Township's average long term borrowing rate, net of estimated inflation".
Schedule of reserves: Landfill 344,050 in 2024 and 344,050 in 2023. Statement of financial position, accumulated surplus: "Unfunded - asset retirement obligation" (477,566), 2023 (394,066).
Note 5, Amounts to be recovered: "Amounts to be recovered represent the requirement of the Township to raise funds in subsequent periods to finance unfunded liabilities, comprised of the landfill and aggregate pits closure and post closure liabilities."
South Algonquin spent $516K on running the town office in 2019 and $889K in 2025. Prices only went up about 21% in that time. Only 3 of 29 similar towns had faster growth here.
Why did the cost of running the town office grow 72% in 6 years?
Running the town office
Prices (inflation)
+0%+20%+40%+60%+80%+100%
+72%
2019202020212022202320242025
Show as a table
Year
Running the town office
Prices (inflation)
2019
+0%
+0%
2020
+2%
+1%
2021
+10%
+4%
2022
+33%
+11%
2023
+62%
+16%
2024
+82%
+18%
2025
+72%
+21%
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 $373K a year pay for?
Why did senior management go from $414K to $775K?
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. Your town office can tell you how to reach council.
Speak for South Algonquin?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Running the town office: 2019 $516K, 2020 $526K, 2021 $569K, 2022 $686K, 2023 $835K, 2024 $937K, 2025 $889K.
South Algonquin spent $220K on water, sewers and garbage in 2019 and $348K in 2025. Prices only went up about 21% in that time.
Why did the cost of water, sewers and garbage grow 58% in 6 years?
Water, sewers and garbage
Prices (inflation)
+0%+50%+100%+150%
+58%
2019202020212022202320242025
Show as a table
Year
Water, sewers and garbage
Prices (inflation)
2019
+0%
+0%
2020
+30%
+1%
2021
+55%
+4%
2022
+125%
+11%
2023
+86%
+16%
2024
+101%
+18%
2025
+58%
+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 $128K a year pay for?
Why did the dump (landfill) go from $73,036 to $196K?
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. Your town office can tell you how to reach council.
Speak for South Algonquin?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
$343,589taxes and user charges owed at the end of 2024, up from $275,486
At the end of 2024 the Township was owed $343,589 in taxes and user charges, up from $275,486. Taxes owed for the current year were $239,099, up from $187,620. The cash flow statement shows the rise as $68,103 of cash not yet collected. Over the same year the taxation and user charges line rose from $2,647,718 to $2,814,731. By our working, unpaid amounts rose about 24.7% against about 6.3% for the revenue (worked out by us).
Why it matters
When taxes go unpaid, the Township has to wait for money it has already spent or borrowed against, and other taxpayers carry the delay. A fast rise can be an early sign that more households are having trouble paying.
It could be because…
Timing: an instalment due just before December 31 may have been paid in January.
A few larger accounts can move the total, and these amounts may have been paid since.
A rise in penalties and interest (25,729, up from 18,254) comes with a rise in what is owed.
Questions you could ask
How much of the taxes owed at the end of 2024 had been paid by the spring of 2025?
How many accounts are behind the rise in current-year taxes owed?
What does the Township do to collect overdue taxes, and has that changed?
You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. Your town office can tell you how to reach council.
Speak for South Algonquin?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Note 4, Taxes and user charges receivable, 2024 and 2023: Current $ 239,099 and $ 187,620; Prior years 78,761 and 69,612; Penalties and interest 25,729 and 18,254; total $ 343,589 and $ 275,486.
Statement of operations, Taxation and user charges: 2024 budget $ 2,802,840, 2024 actual $ 2,814,731, 2023 actual $ 2,647,718. Statement of cash flows: "decrease (increase) in taxes receivable" $ (68,103).
$329,992transportation spending below budget in 2024 (worked out by us)
Transportation, mostly roads, was budgeted at $1,461,029 for 2024 and came in at $1,131,037, a difference of $329,992 or about 23% (worked out by us). It was $1,331,607 in 2023. The largest drop in the notes is the materials column, $273,631 against $426,180 in 2023. This is a lower bill than planned, not an overspend. The statements do not say what part of the budget was not spent. Note 9 says only that the operating budget is shown in the statement and that the capital budget is kept project by project.
Why it matters
A budget is the promise made to taxpayers about what the year will cost. A large gap in the biggest function can mean that planned road work did not happen, or that the budget asked for more than was needed.
It could be because…
Road work is weather-dependent, and projects often slip into the next year.
Materials such as gravel and sand depend on the weather and may have been lower in a mild winter.
Part of the budget may have been set aside for capital projects that run over more than one year (Note 9 says the capital budget is project-based and is not directly comparable).
Questions you could ask
What planned 2024 transportation work was not done, and was it carried into 2025?
Does the $1,461,029 budget include capital projects, and how much of it was spent on them?
What caused materials costs to fall by about $152,549 from 2023 (worked out by us)?
You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. Your town office can tell you how to reach council.
Speak for South Algonquin?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Statement of operations, Transportation services: 2024 budget $ 1,461,029, 2024 actual $ 1,131,037, 2023 actual $ 1,331,607. Total expenses: budget $ 4,777,893, actual $ 4,535,045.
Note 9, Budget figures: "The operating budget approved by the Township of South Algonquin for 2024 is reflected on the Consolidated Statement of Operations and Accumulated Surplus." Statement of cash flows, transportation additions to tangible capital assets: $ (285,249), 2023 $ (221,013).
$680,335held in government-funded reserve funds at the end of 2024, up from $465,049
Obligatory reserve funds hold money from the federal and provincial governments that may be used only for named purposes. At the end of 2024 they held $680,335. The note gives the total movement: money received, interest earned, and $91,523 used. It also gives each fund's balance. Between the two tables the funds moved by +$221,076 (Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund), +$107,014 (Northern Ontario fund) and -$112,804 (Canada Community-Building Fund), which add to the total change of $215,286 (all worked out by us). The Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund received $117,229, so by our subtraction it needs $103,847 more than receipts to reach its balance. The Canada Community-Building Fund received $67,422 and fell by $112,804, so by our count at least $180,226 left it, while only $91,523 was used from all three funds.
Why it matters
These funds come with rules. If money moved from one fund to another, or if the note leaves out how interest and spending were shared out, readers cannot check that each fund was used as its rules require.
It could be because…
The note shows only totals for interest and for use, and each fund may have been credited a different share, in ways the note does not list.
A transfer between funds, or a correction of earlier allocations, may have been made during the year and is not described.
The note may group funds that the Township tracks one at a time in its own records.
Questions you could ask
Can the Township publish a fund-by-fund table showing each fund's receipts, interest, spending and transfers for 2024?
Did money move between the Canada Community-Building Fund and the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund in 2024?
Which projects were paid from each fund?
You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. Your town office can tell you how to reach council.
Speak for South Algonquin?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Note 6(a)(i), balances 2024 and 2023: Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund $ 251,885 and $ 30,809; Northern Ontario Resource Development Support Fund (NORDS) 394,660 and 287,646; Canada Community-Building Fund 33,790 and 146,594; total $ 680,335 and $ 465,049.
Note 6(a)(ii), 2024 and 2023: Balance at the beginning of the year $ 465,049 and $ 205,301. Canada Community-Building Fund revenue received 67,422 and 72,542. NORDS Fund revenue received 80,861 and 93,028. Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund 117,229 and 137,916. Interest earned 41,297 and 18,159. Used for purchases (91,523) and (61,897). Balance at the end of the year $ 680,335 and $ 465,049.
$90difference between the two printed Library reserve balances
Note 15, which covers the Library Board, shows a reserve of $30,985 at the end of 2024. The consolidated schedule of reserves shows "Library" at 30,895. The two figures differ by $90 and use the same digits in a different order, which may be a typing slip. The schedule's nine lines add up to its total of $2,342,979 only with 30,895 (worked out by us), and that total matches the statement of financial position.
Why it matters
It is a small amount, but audited statements are the Township's main record, and a number that is printed two ways in one document is worth a correction.
It could be because…
A typing slip in one place that nobody caught, with no effect on the total.
The two pages may be drawn from different working files.
Questions you could ask
Which figure is right, $30,985 or $30,895?
If one is a typing slip, will the Township correct the posted statements?
You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. Your town office can tell you how to reach council.
Speak for South Algonquin?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
$110,857paid to the East Nipissing home for the aged in 2024; the capital share is not stated
South Algonquin helps pay for the East Nipissing District Home for the Aged, called Casselholme in the note, and gave $110,857 to it in 2024. Note 2 says the home is expanding. It says the Township's capital share will be "a loan at 0%" that is forgiven when the project is finished and the terms are met. The note gives no amount, and the statements record no loan or related obligation. The Township says it is also contingently liable for its share of any deficit at the home and other joint boards.
Why it matters
A promise to pay or lend for a large building project is a future cost to the Township's taxpayers, even if the loan is later forgiven. Residents cannot tell from the statements how large it could be.
It could be because…
The loan has not yet been advanced, so nothing is yet to record.
The terms mean the Township owes nothing when the project ends, so no cost has to be counted.
The amount may be set out in an agreement or council report that is not part of the statements.
Questions you could ask
What is the Township's capital share of the redevelopment, and over what years?
Has Council approved the loan agreement, and where can residents read it?
What would the Township owe if the loan terms were not met?
You can ask during the public part of a council meeting, by writing to the clerk, or by contacting your councillors. Your town office can tell you how to reach council.
Speak for South Algonquin?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Note 2, contributions to non-consolidated joint local boards, East Nipissing District Home for the Aged: $ 110,857 (2023 $ 110,599). "The Township's capital portion related to the redevelopment will be in the form of a loan at 0% that will be forgiven upon the completion of the project and compliance with the terms of the agreement."
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