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by hand, Oct 2026DetailsThis is built from public records, which leave a lot out, and some of it may be wrong or out of date.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 St Catharines'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 St Catharines' 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.
$279.3Mforecast outside debt in 2029, up from $83.1M in 2025; debt payments forecast at 11.64% of own revenue against a 10% policy limit
Debt is money the City borrows and pays back, with interest, from taxes and fees. The City's 2026 capital budget report forecasts outside debt of $83.1M in 2025, $134.6M in 2026 and $279.3M in 2029. It also shows yearly debt payments rising to 11.64% of the City's own revenue in 2029. Council's own policy sets a limit of 10%. The report says the City is still far inside the Province's separate limit, and that it is reviewing its debt plan. This is the City's own forecast, not our estimate.
Found by reading the city's own documents · 4 sources
$2,000,000planned for 2026 from the Special Tax Mitigation Fund to lower the tax increase, after $1,431,000 in 2024 and $1,910,000 in 2025
A reserve is money the City sets aside. The budget lists transfers from a reserve called the Special Tax Mitigation Fund to lower the tax increase: $1,431,000 in 2024, $1,910,000 in 2025 and $2,000,000 in 2026. In 2024 the City also said $1,525,000 of the savings it found were "temporary measures". The City says the costs they cover will not go away in 2027. At the end of 2024 the audited statements show $7,571 thousand in this fund, the same as a year earlier.
Found by reading the city's own documents · 4 sources
$5,404,287net 2026 budget for Planning and Building Services, against $1,802,719 spent in 2022 and $4,323,275 budgeted for 2024
The budget book shows the net cost to taxpayers of Planning and Building Services (what is left after the department's own fees). It was $1,802,719 in 2022 (actual) and is $5,404,287 in the 2026 budget, about three times as much (our own division). A budget is not the same as an actual, so the gap is partly a comparison of two different things. The City explains part of the rise: building permit income was cut by $801,000 in 2024 to match market trends, and $530,000 more came from the Building Stabilization Reserve.
Found by reading the city's own documents · 4 sources
$2,500,000Fire Station No. 6 addition and renovation, put off to 2027 partly because of the fire arbitration award
An arbitration award is a binding decision by an outside arbitrator, usually on pay and working conditions, when a union and an employer cannot agree. In October 2025 City staff said they were putting off the Fire Station No. 6 project, with a budget of $2,500,000, to "accommodate the financial impact of the fire arbitration award". The papers we read do not say how much the award is worth. Fire Services is the biggest department on the budget.
Found by reading the city's own documents · 3 sources
$124.0 millioncash on December 31, 2024, while the City issued $9.8 million of new long-term debt that year
The 2024 statements show cash of $124,028 thousand, up from $93,390 thousand, plus investments of $51,712 thousand. In the same year the City issued $9,800 thousand of long-term debt and repaid $13,734 thousand. Much of the cash is promised: the City has reserves, restricted funds, and $133,242 thousand of capital work in progress that will be paid for later.
Found by reading the city's own documents · 3 sources
Places keep savings (called reserves) to pay for new trucks, roof repairs and surprises. St Catharines had $94.7M saved at the end of 2024, up from $59.4M in 2019. That is 47% of one year's spending. Only 2 of 11 similar places had less, compared with what they spend.
Found automatically from the city's financial reports · 2 sources
$1,300,2192024 budget for the Mayor and Members of Council, up $232,810 (21.81%) from 2023
The Office of Mayor and Members of Council was budgeted at $1,067,409 for 2023 and $1,300,219 for 2024, a rise of $232,810. The City explains $111,000 of it as more spending on civic receptions: Canada Day, winter holiday events, a new $30,000 program and a new $25,000 item for community programs. The rest of the rise is not explained in the text we read. Separately, the City used a reserve to cover councillors' conference and convention spending in 2024 that went over budget.
Found by reading the city's own documents · 3 sources
$30.3 millionannual surplus for 2024 (in the audited statements), against a budgeted deficit of $4.3 million
The audited statements for 2024 show a budgeted deficit of $4,324 thousand and an actual annual surplus of $30,307 thousand. Revenue came in $20,617 thousand higher than budget, and expenses $14,014 thousand lower (our subtraction). The biggest gap in spending was transportation services, at 30,664 against a budget of 38,507. The City explains in a note that its budget and its statements are built differently, for example the budget leaves out amortization (the yearly wearing-out of buildings and roads).
Found by reading the city's own documents · 3 sources
Ontario's Municipal Act requires a yearly statement of what each member of council and each local board member was paid and what expenses were paid for them. We did not find these statements on the City's website, on its Accountability and Transparency page or on its Budgets and Financial Statements page. The City has a citizen task force reviewing what council is paid.
Found by reading the city's own documents · 2 sources
$279.3Mforecast outside debt in 2029, up from $83.1M in 2025; debt payments forecast at 11.64% of own revenue against a 10% policy limit
Debt is money the City borrows and pays back, with interest, from taxes and fees. The City's 2026 capital budget report forecasts outside debt of $83.1M in 2025, $134.6M in 2026 and $279.3M in 2029. It also shows yearly debt payments rising to 11.64% of the City's own revenue in 2029. Council's own policy sets a limit of 10%. The report says the City is still far inside the Province's separate limit, and that it is reviewing its debt plan. This is the City's own forecast, not our estimate.
Why it matters
Debt payments come out of property taxes and water rates for up to 30 years. The new Council elected on October 26, 2026 will set the 2027 budget and will inherit this plan.
It could be because…
Borrowing spreads the cost of a long-lasting road, pipe or building over the years it is used. The report says this is why it uses debt.
The report says the forecast uses "conservative assumptions", such as a 5% interest rate. Real borrowing may cost less.
The report says the City is far from the Province's limit and "could increase its debt by a further $262 million", so this is a choice, not a forced step.
Grants such as the Province's Building Faster Fund can reduce what has to be borrowed. The 2026 budget already added $1,850,000 of it.
The City says it will review its debt plan as part of its asset management work.
Questions you could ask
What is the City's plan if debt payments reach the 10 per cent limit in 2029: raise the limit, cut projects, or raise taxes and rates?
When will the review of the debt plan be finished, and will the new Council see it before it votes on the 2027 budget?
How much of the forecast debt is paid from water and wastewater rates, and how much from property taxes?
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 St Catharines?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
"Council has also approved a policy that limits debt charges to 10% of the City’s own source revenues." The report says debt charges are "anticipated to edge above 10% by 2029". It also says that under the Province's limit "the City could increase its debt by a further $262 million based on an interest rate of 7%".
Figure 3, 2026 Readoption Multi-year Capital Budget Funding Sources (in $000s): Debt 45,878.91 of a total of 83,867.06. The report says "Debt continues to provide the largest portion of funding in the Multi-year Capital Budget and the forecast shows this trend continuing."
Note 10 shows net long-term debentures at the end of 2024 of $94,818 (2023 - $98,752), in thousands of dollars. New debt issued in 2024 was 9,800 and interest expense on long-term debt was $3,169 (2023 - $3,690).
$2,000,000planned for 2026 from the Special Tax Mitigation Fund to lower the tax increase, after $1,431,000 in 2024 and $1,910,000 in 2025
A reserve is money the City sets aside. The budget lists transfers from a reserve called the Special Tax Mitigation Fund to lower the tax increase: $1,431,000 in 2024, $1,910,000 in 2025 and $2,000,000 in 2026. In 2024 the City also said $1,525,000 of the savings it found were "temporary measures". The City says the costs they cover will not go away in 2027. At the end of 2024 the audited statements show $7,571 thousand in this fund, the same as a year earlier.
Why it matters
Savings used to cut this year's tax increase cannot be used again. If the costs stay, the 2027 tax increase has to carry them, and that will be the new Council's first budget.
It could be because…
Using reserves to smooth out tax increases is what some reserves are for, and the City set this one up on purpose.
The balance in the fund did not change in 2024, so the 2024 planned transfer may not have been needed, or may have been replaced by a surplus. The statements do not say.
The City tells the public the plan. The budget book states the one-time items and says they "will not be mitigated in the 2027 budget and beyond".
The 2025 and 2026 tax increases were set lower than first planned partly because of these measures. That helped residents in those years.
Questions you could ask
How much of the fund is left after the 2025 and 2026 transfers, and is any left for 2027?
Which costs covered by one-time fixes will carry into 2027, and what would the 2027 tax increase be without any reserve money?
Why was the fund's balance the same at the end of 2024 as at the end of 2023, when the budget planned a $1,431,000 transfer?
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 St Catharines?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Under Surplus from Prior Year, the City explains the 2024 increase of $3,194,000: "$1,431,000 transfer from Special Tax Mitigation Fund." For 2025 there is a "$479,000 increase in transfer from Special Tax Mitigation Fund" and for 2026 a "$90,000 increase in transfer from Special Tax Mitigation Fund."
Table 3 of Report FMS-163-2024 lists $3,549,000 of mitigation measures. "$1,525,000 are considered as temporary measures (gapping $533,000, budget reallocations $730,000 and encumbrances $262,000)". The report adds: "The related gross budget changes are re-occurring and will not be mitigated in the 2027 budget and beyond." Gapping means wages saved from jobs left empty.
$5,404,287net 2026 budget for Planning and Building Services, against $1,802,719 spent in 2022 and $4,323,275 budgeted for 2024
The budget book shows the net cost to taxpayers of Planning and Building Services (what is left after the department's own fees). It was $1,802,719 in 2022 (actual) and is $5,404,287 in the 2026 budget, about three times as much (our own division). A budget is not the same as an actual, so the gap is partly a comparison of two different things. The City explains part of the rise: building permit income was cut by $801,000 in 2024 to match market trends, and $530,000 more came from the Building Stabilization Reserve.
Why it matters
Building permit fees are meant to pay for the building department. When they fall short, the cost moves to the tax levy or to a reserve, and reserves run out.
It could be because…
Budgets are usually set above what is spent, so a budget-to-actual comparison overstates growth. The 2023 budget was already $3,572,445.
The City says the main driver in 2024 was lower building permit income "to better align with actuals and market trend expectations", not new spending.
Provincial changes (Bills 23 and 109) alter planning fees and add refunds. The City cites them as a cause of changes in planning income.
The Building Stabilization Reserve exists to carry the building department through slow years.
Questions you could ask
What is the balance of the Building Stabilization Reserve today, and is it enough for the planned draws?
What part of the increase since 2022 is lower fee income, what part is new staff or other costs, and what part is the difference between a budget and an actual?
What permit volumes does the 2026 budget assume?
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 St Catharines?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Significant Changes, Building and Plumbing, 2023 vs 2024, an increase of $254,000: "$801,000 decrease in Building Permits revenues to better align with actuals and market trend expectations." "Offset by increase of $530,000 in transfer from Building Stabilization Reserve to fund the building activities and operating costs".
Reserve Transfer Summary, Transfer from Reserve, Building Stabilization Reserve for 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026: "(348,277) (878,000) (500,000) (250,000)".
Reserve list as of December 31, 2022 and 2021: "Building Code Net Building Permit fees - Provincial legislation 2,550,008 3,242,537". Balances for 2023 onward were not printed ("The 2023 actuals will be provided with the 4th quarter variance report").
$2,500,000Fire Station No. 6 addition and renovation, put off to 2027 partly because of the fire arbitration award
An arbitration award is a binding decision by an outside arbitrator, usually on pay and working conditions, when a union and an employer cannot agree. In October 2025 City staff said they were putting off the Fire Station No. 6 project, with a budget of $2,500,000, to "accommodate the financial impact of the fire arbitration award". The papers we read do not say how much the award is worth. Fire Services is the biggest department on the budget.
Why it matters
If the award costs more than was budgeted, it moves money away from other projects or into taxes. Residents cannot judge that without the amount.
It could be because…
An arbitrator sets the award, not the City, and it can be backdated, which makes timing hard to plan.
The report says only $138,100 of the project's funding is used for the award. The rest, from debt and development charges, "will remain unused and available for this project in future years".
The 2024 budget already expected fire wage increases because the agreement ended at the end of 2023.
The amount may be kept confidential until the City has finished its own budgeting.
Questions you could ask
What is the arbitration award worth in total, for which years, and how much of it is paid from savings and how much from the tax levy?
Which years of pay does the award cover, and how much of its cost is back pay?
Does the 2027 budget plan include the full yearly cost of the award?
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 St Catharines?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The records that would answer this can be requested: The fire arbitration award, with wording you can copy.
The evidence
Report FMS-142-2025 says the 2026 capital budget fell by $650,000, "primarily due to a deferral of the Fire Station No. 6 addition and renovation project, with a budget of $2,500,000, of which the budgeted Capital Out of Revenue will be utilized $138,100 to support the financial obligations from the fire arbitration award."
The Mayor's memo says "Project FIR26002 totaling $2,500,000 has been deferred to 2027 to accommodate the financial impact of the fire arbitration award with a portion directly supporting these increased costs".
Fire Services, 2024 vs 2025 and 2023 vs 2024: "There is an increase of $675,000 in wage and benefits reflecting annual wage and benefit rates and retention pay increases forecasted due to the current CBA expiring at the end of 2023." The department's net budget is 28,187,750 (2024), 28,649,059 (2025) and 29,387,679 (2026).
$124.0 millioncash on December 31, 2024, while the City issued $9.8 million of new long-term debt that year
The 2024 statements show cash of $124,028 thousand, up from $93,390 thousand, plus investments of $51,712 thousand. In the same year the City issued $9,800 thousand of long-term debt and repaid $13,734 thousand. Much of the cash is promised: the City has reserves, restricted funds, and $133,242 thousand of capital work in progress that will be paid for later.
Why it matters
Interest on debt is paid from taxes and rates. Residents are entitled to know how much of the cash is free to spend and why the City borrows at the same time.
It could be because…
Most cash is not free. The statements show reserves of 94,657 and funds held for specific purposes, such as 32,791 of obligatory reserve funds (money collected for a set use).
The City says it has about $133,242 thousand of capital projects in progress that will be financed by grants, unexpended capital financing and long-term debt.
The debt was issued through the Region of Niagara, which borrows for its member cities in one program.
Borrowing for a long-lived asset and keeping cash for short-term needs is a normal way to plan.
Questions you could ask
How much of the cash and investments on December 31, 2024 was not promised to a project or fund?
What is the City's rule for when it borrows and when it pays from cash 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 St Catharines?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Cash flow statement, in thousands of dollars: "Long-term debt issued (note 10) 9,800 2,210"; "Long-term debt repaid (13,734) (16,834)"; "Cash, end of year $ 124,028 $ 93,390".
Note 15, Contractual obligations and commitments: "The estimated future capital expenditures based on projects in progress at December 31, 2024 is approximately $133,242 (2023 - $95,371)... These projects will be financed by unexpended capital financing, grants, subsidies and long-term liabilities in future years." Note 12 lists reserves and reserve funds of $94,657 (2023 - $77,180) and unexpended capital financing of 24,195.
Places keep savings (called reserves) to pay for new trucks, roof repairs and surprises. St Catharines had $94.7M saved at the end of 2024, up from $59.4M in 2019. That is 47% of one year's spending. Only 2 of 11 similar places had less, compared with what they spend.
Does St Catharines have enough saved for repairs and emergencies?
$0$20M$40M$60M$80M$100M
$94.7M
201920202021202220232024
Show as a table
Year
Savings (reserves)
2019
$59.4M
2020
$54.2M
2021
$62.8M
2022
$63.2M
2023
$77.2M
2024
$94.7M
Why it matters
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.
It could be because…
The city spent savings on purpose, on projects that were planned and saved up for.
Some savings were used to match grant money, which brings in more than it costs.
The city has a plan to rebuild its savings.
Questions you could ask
Does the city have a written reserve policy with a target amount?
What were the savings spent on between 2019 and 2024?
What is the plan to rebuild them, and by when?
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 St Catharines?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
$1,300,2192024 budget for the Mayor and Members of Council, up $232,810 (21.81%) from 2023
The Office of Mayor and Members of Council was budgeted at $1,067,409 for 2023 and $1,300,219 for 2024, a rise of $232,810. The City explains $111,000 of it as more spending on civic receptions: Canada Day, winter holiday events, a new $30,000 program and a new $25,000 item for community programs. The rest of the rise is not explained in the text we read. Separately, the City used a reserve to cover councillors' conference and convention spending in 2024 that went over budget.
Why it matters
This is a small part of the budget, but it is money spent by and for the elected officials, so the public can reasonably ask for a full breakdown.
It could be because…
The City gives reasons for $111,000 of the rise and lists each one.
Some of the rest may be ordinary yearly wage and benefit increases.
Council set up a task force to review what council members are paid, which may lead to changes.
The 2024 budget was the City's first multi-year budget and reset many lines.
Questions you could ask
What makes up the rest of the $232,810 increase for 2024?
How much was the 2024 overage on councillors' conferences, and how much did each member spend?
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 St Catharines?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Operating budget summary: "Office of Mayor and Members of Council 1,300,219 1,332,784 1,366,396 1,067,409 866,805 865,632 232,810 21.81% 32,565 2.50% 33,612 2.52%" for 2024, 2025, 2026, 2023 budget, 2022 actual and 2021 actual.
Civic Receptions, 2023 vs 2024, "an increase of $111,000": $20,000 for Canada Day, $30,000 for winter holiday celebrations, "$30,000 for a new program for Mayor’s Office DEI awareness and support initiatives", "$25,000 for a new budget item for growing community programs and services", and a "Decrease of $4,800 in Transfer from Civic Project Fund".
In the Mayor's readoption budget: "Increase in conference and conventions for Councillors, use Tax Rate Stabilization Reserve to cover overage in 2024 and refer to 2025/26 budget readoption", $18,000 in 2025 and $18,000 in 2026.
$30.3 millionannual surplus for 2024 (in the audited statements), against a budgeted deficit of $4.3 million
The audited statements for 2024 show a budgeted deficit of $4,324 thousand and an actual annual surplus of $30,307 thousand. Revenue came in $20,617 thousand higher than budget, and expenses $14,014 thousand lower (our subtraction). The biggest gap in spending was transportation services, at 30,664 against a budget of 38,507. The City explains in a note that its budget and its statements are built differently, for example the budget leaves out amortization (the yearly wearing-out of buildings and roads).
Why it matters
A large gap between plan and result can mean cautious budgeting or tax rates set higher than needed. The public can only tell which if the City shows where the difference sits.
It could be because…
The City says the budget is built on a different basis from the statements, so a "deficit" in the budget is not a real deficit.
A surplus of this kind often goes into reserves, which pay for future projects. Reserves rose in 2024 (94,657 against 77,180).
Capital grants and similar items count as revenue in the statements but are not all spent in the same year.
Transportation spending may have been delayed or moved to the capital program.
Questions you could ask
How much of the 2024 surplus is cash, and how much was set aside in reserves?
Which budget lines were under spent by the most, and was any of that planned?
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 St Catharines?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Consolidated Statement of Operations (in thousands of dollars), Budget, 2024, 2023: Revenue total "240,785 261,402 318,386"; Expenses total "245,109 231,095 205,853"; "Annual surplus (deficit) (4,324) 30,307 75,199". Transportation services: "38,507 30,664 26,933". Protection to persons and property: "39,897 41,031 41,535".
Note 19, Budget figures: "The City does not budget for amortization and, as a result, amortization is included based on actual cost." The note reconciles the approved operating budget of $132,721 to "Total budgeted revenue 240,785", "Total budgeted expenses 245,109" and "Budgeted deficit $ (4,324)".
Report FMS-163-2024 says: "the calculation of the City’s surplus for budgeting purposes now differs from the surplus on the City’s Financial Statements."
Ontario's Municipal Act requires a yearly statement of what each member of council and each local board member was paid and what expenses were paid for them. We did not find these statements on the City's website, on its Accountability and Transparency page or on its Budgets and Financial Statements page. The City has a citizen task force reviewing what council is paid.
Why it matters
Pay and expenses for elected officials are the most basic public record about how they use public money. Voters head to the polls on October 26, 2026.
It could be because…
The statements may be posted somewhere we did not look, such as inside a Council agenda, which we did not open.
The City may give them on request, as some other cities do.
The task force's review may be leading the City to wait before it posts a new format.
Questions you could ask
Please post the s. 284 statements for each year since 2022, or tell residents where they are.
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 St Catharines?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The Accountability and Transparency page lists meeting calendar, agendas, minutes, the public notice policy, the Code of Conduct, Integrity Commissioner reports, the conflict of interest registry and closed-meeting information. We did not find a statement of council remuneration and expenses on it.
The Citizen Task Force to Review Council Remuneration for Council Boards, Agencies and Commissions "will review remuneration currently paid to the Mayor and Council Members along with associated Boards, Agencies and Commissions". It lists Report FMS-070-2022 as a document it reviews. The page links no yearly pay statements.
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