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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by hand, Oct 2026DetailsThis is built from public records, which leave a lot out, and some of it may be wrong or out of date.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 Terrace Bay'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.
Ontario / Terrace BayUpdated Oct 13, 2026

Your town, in plain words

How Terrace Bay uses the money we share.

A clear, checkable guide to Terrace Bay's budget, taxes and council decisions. A township on the north shore of Lake Superior with a mayor and four councillors. Every figure links back to the public record.

Property tax raised in 2025$4.1Mall property in Terrace Bay93% Town7% SchoolsSee where your tax bill goes →
Town spending, 2025$6.6MAbout $8,289 per household, up 12.9% from 2024.See the money →
Property tax change+3.9%Terrace Bay's own property tax came to $3.9M in 2025, against $3.7M in 2024.What changed →

Where it goes

Most of every dollar supports the everyday town.

Explore every service →
Parks, arena and library$1.7M · 26%
Running the town office$1.4M · 21%
Water, sewers and garbage$1.2M · 18%
Roads and snow$848K · 13%
Show all 8 servicesShow fewer
Planning and business$560K · 9%
Police, fire and safety$520K · 8%
Social services$250K · 4%
Health$168K · 3%

Day-to-day spending in 2025, from Terrace Bay's report to the Province.

A fair comparisonHow does Terrace Bay compare?Among 25 similar Ontario towns, Terrace Bay's day-to-day spending per household is on the high side.Terrace Bay is here · 25 of 25, lowest to highestCompare Terrace Bay →

Questions worth asking

A closer look at the numbers.

Each one is a question, not an accusation. Every one lists ordinary reasons it could be true, and the documents it comes from.

All 4 questions
Worth askingSpending level

What is the $383,237 of tourism development capital in the 2025 budget, which is about three-quarters of the Township's net capital cost?

$383,237net 2025 capital cost for tourism development, 75% of the Township's $509,105 net capital cost (worked out by us)

The 2025 budget summary lists net capital costs of $509,105 after $2,182,789 of capital revenue. One line, tourism development, is $383,237 of it, 75% (worked out by us). Administration is $71,600, general public works $41,237 and playgrounds, courts and fitness trail $13,031. The summary gives no project names and no source for the capital revenue. The Township's strategic plan lists promoting tourism as a way to support local businesses, including a municipally run campground, but it names no amount.

Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources

Worth askingMoney health

How much of Terrace Bay's water and sewer revenue and tax base depends on the pulp mill, which the Township says is closing?

$204,979net surplus on water mains and connections in the 2025 budget summary

The Mayor's message in the 2025-2029 strategic plan says the community is facing "the recent announcement about the pending closure of the pulp mill". The Township's asset plan says the Township provides water, wastewater and storm drainage service to the town "as well as to the Pulp Mill". The 2025 budget summary shows water mains and connections as a net surplus of $204,979 while sewage collection and treatment costs a net $121,595. The documents we could read do not say how much water, sewer or property tax money comes from the mill, and the plan's own warning is that if the revenue base declines, water and sewer rates would have to rise.

Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources

Good to knowMoney health

How much of the roughly $2.97 million a year its own asset plan says Terrace Bay should invest in renewal is in the budget?

$2.97 milliona year the asset plan says the Township should invest in renewal (worked out by us from $0.90 million and $2.07 million)

The Township's asset management plan, written by a consultant in June 2022, says the Township should invest $0.90 million a year to renew its water, wastewater and stormwater systems and $2.07 million a year to sustain its roads, buildings and other assets, about $2.97 million together (worked out by us, in 2022 dollars). The plan puts the full replacement cost of all municipal assets at $144.40 million. The 2025 budget summary shows total capital spending of $2,691,894, of which $2,182,789 is covered by capital revenue, leaving $509,105 for the Township to pay. The summary does not say how much of the capital total is renewal. The Township's 2025-2029 strategic plan says how it intends to close the gap: it plans to introduce an annual capital levy, to use reserve money for infrastructure projects and to look for grants.

Found by reading the town's own documents · 4 sources

Where your tax bill goes

A property tax bill in Terrace Bay pays for the town and schools. Only part of it goes to the town, and that part is what Terrace Bay council controls.

Tax bill split: Terrace Bay 93%, Schools 7%
$4.1Mraised in 2025
  • Terrace Bay93%
  • Schools7%

  • Every fact, sourced

    Each number links to the public document it came from. Check it yourself.

  • No accusations

    We ask questions. Every one lists ordinary reasons a number could look odd.

  • Compared fairly

    Towns are only compared with places of a similar size and kind, from the same yearly reports.

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