Questions · 8 so far
We read Wawa's financial reports and meeting minutes, and compared its numbers with 23 similar Ontario towns. These are the things that stood out.
These are unusual enough that residents deserve a clear answer from council.
$1.0Mowed in unpaid property tax, end of 2024
At the end of 2024, $1.0M of property tax had been billed but not paid. That is 18% of everything billed. Only 3 of 23 similar towns had a higher share. A year earlier it was $1.4M.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 2 sources
There may well be a good reason. It is still worth asking what it is.
$3,246,832accounts receivable at the end of 2025, up from $1,066,195 at the end of 2023
"Accounts receivable" is money other people owe the Municipality for bills already issued, such as grants promised but not yet paid, or fees. The statements show it rising each year. The statements we read have no note that breaks it down.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
$780,000set aside at the end of 2025 against $1,401,006 of taxes owed, up from $630,000 a year earlier
At the end of 2025, taxes owed from earlier years were $890,345, and the Municipality had set aside $780,000 against the total of $1,401,006 owed. The total owed has fallen since 2023, but the amount set aside rose in 2025. The Municipality says unpaid taxes are one of its budget pressures.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
$6.47 millionyearly funding gap in the plan's summary; a later section says $7.45 million
The 2025 Asset Management Plan says keeping the town's assets going needs about $8.9 million a year. Its summary says the town puts in about $2.43 million, a gap of $6.47 million. A later section says about $1.45 million, a gap of $7.45 million. Both are printed in the same plan.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 4 sources
$1,884,386owed for health and dental benefits at the end of 2025, with a reserve fund of $47,859
The Municipality promises extended health and life insurance benefits to its employees and retirees. An outside actuary (a specialist who estimates future costs) put the amount owed at $1,884,386 at the end of 2025. The Municipality says a reserve fund of $47,859 has been set up for this.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
$1,179,351estimated landfill closure cost at the end of 2025; $62,205 in reserve
The Municipality owns a landfill. The law requires it to be closed and watched for years afterward. The statements put the cost at $1,179,351 at the end of 2025 and say the landfill is expected to close in 2038. The reserve set aside is $62,205, and the statements say the rest will come from future taxes.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
$53,098carried as the Municipality's investment in the gas company; a further $100,000 is committed in total
The statements say Wawa owns 20% of 2729028 Ontario Inc., a company that will build natural gas storage and local gas lines for North Shore towns. The Municipality has put in $53,098 and has committed to contribute $100,000. The statements say the company's own 2025 numbers were not available when the audit report was signed.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 1 source
Background that helps make sense of the rest.
$7,285,743government transfers and grants in 2025, against $5,489,687 of net taxation
In 2025 the Municipality received $7,285,743 in government transfers and grants, more than the $5,489,687 it raised in net property taxes. The Municipality itself lists "Strong reliance on power dam grant" among its pressures.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
$1.0Mowed in unpaid property tax, end of 2024
At the end of 2024, $1.0M of property tax had been billed but not paid. That is 18% of everything billed. Only 3 of 23 similar towns had a higher share. A year earlier it was $1.4M.
| Year | Unpaid property tax at year end |
|---|---|
| 2019 | $932K |
| 2020 | $1.0M |
| 2021 | $1.1M |
| 2022 | $1.1M |
| 2023 | $1.4M |
| 2024 | $1.0M |
When taxes go unpaid, everyone else carries the cost, and the town may borrow to cover the gap. The Province's financial indicators treat 10% to 15% as a moderate risk and more than 15% as a high risk. Collection is the town's job, so a rising number is worth asking about.
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 Wawa? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Taxes receivable: 2019 $932K, 2020 $1.0M, 2021 $1.1M, 2022 $1.1M, 2023 $1.4M, 2024 $1.0M. Of the 2024 total, $820K was from earlier years.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2019 to 2024 · Schedule 70, lines 0610 to 0699 · archived copy
Typical among similar towns: 10.4% of taxes billed.
Ontario Financial Information Return (FIR), 2024, 23 similar municipalities · Schedules 26 and 70 · archived copy
$3,246,832accounts receivable at the end of 2025, up from $1,066,195 at the end of 2023
"Accounts receivable" is money other people owe the Municipality for bills already issued, such as grants promised but not yet paid, or fees. The statements show it rising each year. The statements we read have no note that breaks it down.
Money owed is not money in the bank. If it is a grant from another government, it is probably safe but late. If it is owed by people or businesses, it may not all be collected.
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 Wawa? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The records that would answer this can be requested: Breakdown of accounts receivable at December 31, 2025, with wording you can copy.
The 2025 statement of financial position lists "Accounts receivable" at 3,246,832 for 2025 and 2,262,481 for 2024.
Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 · Statement of Financial Position, PDF page 7
The 2024 statement of financial position lists "Accounts receivable" at 2,262,481 for 2024 and 1,066,195 for 2023.
Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2024 · Statement of Financial Position, PDF page 7
$780,000set aside at the end of 2025 against $1,401,006 of taxes owed, up from $630,000 a year earlier
At the end of 2025, taxes owed from earlier years were $890,345, and the Municipality had set aside $780,000 against the total of $1,401,006 owed. The total owed has fallen since 2023, but the amount set aside rose in 2025. The Municipality says unpaid taxes are one of its budget pressures.
Unpaid property taxes are made up by everyone else who pays. When an amount is set aside as unlikely to be collected, it is a cost to the town.
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 Wawa? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Note 3, taxes receivable at December 31, 2025: "Prior years" 890,345; total 1,401,006; "Allowance for doubtful accounts" (780,000). For 2024 the note shows total 1,658,499 and an allowance of (630,000).
Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 · Note 3, PDF page 18
Note 3 in the 2024 statements shows the 2023 column: total 2,266,925 and "Allowance for doubtful accounts" (840,000).
Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2024 · Note 3, PDF page 18
The Municipality's own list of 2026 budget pressures includes "Overdue accounts and non-payment of property taxes".
2026 Draft Operating Budget presentation, March 3, 2026 · slide 5, "2026 Municipal Pressures" (PDF page 5)
$6.47 millionyearly funding gap in the plan's summary; a later section says $7.45 million
The 2025 Asset Management Plan says keeping the town's assets going needs about $8.9 million a year. Its summary says the town puts in about $2.43 million, a gap of $6.47 million. A later section says about $1.45 million, a gap of $7.45 million. Both are printed in the same plan.
A gap this large, compared with a town that raises about $5.5 million a year in taxes, means roads, pipes and buildings may wear out faster than they can be replaced, and the bill is pushed to later years.
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 Wawa? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The executive summary says "the Municipality's average annual capital requirement totals $8.9 million", that the Municipality is "committing approximately $2.43 million towards capital projects or reserves per year", and that "there is currently an annual funding gap of $6.47 million".
Municipality of Wawa Asset Management Plan, 2025 · Executive Summary, PDF page 8
Section 7.1.1 says "The Municipality is committed to spend approximately $1.45 million towards capital projects per year from sustainable revenue sources" and that "there is currently a funding gap of $7.45 million annually".
Municipality of Wawa Asset Management Plan, 2025 · Section 7.1.1, PDF page 106
The 2026 draft budget presentation lists "Increased Contribution to Infrastructure and the Funding Gap" as a pressure and says "The 2026 Capital Levy requirement is $200,000."
2026 Draft Operating Budget presentation, March 3, 2026 · slides 5 and 10 (PDF pages 5 and 10); a draft, we did not find the adopted version
Note 13 lists a reserve for "Acquisition of tangible capital assets" of 5,597,295 at the end of 2025.
Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 · Note 13, PDF page 28
$1,884,386owed for health and dental benefits at the end of 2025, with a reserve fund of $47,859
The Municipality promises extended health and life insurance benefits to its employees and retirees. An outside actuary (a specialist who estimates future costs) put the amount owed at $1,884,386 at the end of 2025. The Municipality says a reserve fund of $47,859 has been set up for this.
A promise to be paid later is a bill the town will have to pay out of future taxes and fees. It rose sharply in 2024, which shows how much the estimate can move.
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 Wawa? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Note 6 lists "Medical and dental plan entitlements" of 1,884,386 for 2025 and 1,829,035 for 2024, and says "A reserve fund in the amount of $47,859 (2024 - $43,262) has been established to fund this liability."
Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 · Note 6, PDF pages 20 and 21
The note's continuity table shows an "Actuarial loss" of 628,856 in 2024 and "Accrued benefit liability, January 1" of 1,183,985 for 2024.
Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 · Note 6, PDF page 21
$1,179,351estimated landfill closure cost at the end of 2025; $62,205 in reserve
The Municipality owns a landfill. The law requires it to be closed and watched for years afterward. The statements put the cost at $1,179,351 at the end of 2025 and say the landfill is expected to close in 2038. The reserve set aside is $62,205, and the statements say the rest will come from future taxes.
A cost known to be coming, with little saved, falls on whoever pays taxes in the years around 2038. The estimate also moved by $380,380 in 2024, so it may change again.
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 Wawa? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Note 7 says the site has "a remaining operating life of approximately 13 years and is expected to close in 2038".
Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 · Note 7(a), PDF page 22
The table of changes shows a landfill closure "Closing balance" of 1,179,351 for 2025 and a "Change in estimate" of 380,380 in 2024. The note says "The Municipality has established a reserve to contribute to the cost of closing and maintaining the landfill site of $62,205 (2024 - $40,745)" and "Obligations related to landfill closure will be funded from future taxation revenues."
Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 · Note 7, PDF page 23
$53,098carried as the Municipality's investment in the gas company; a further $100,000 is committed in total
The statements say Wawa owns 20% of 2729028 Ontario Inc., a company that will build natural gas storage and local gas lines for North Shore towns. The Municipality has put in $53,098 and has committed to contribute $100,000. The statements say the company's own 2025 numbers were not available when the audit report was signed.
Public money is tied up in a business whose results are not in the town's statements. Residents may want to know what the money is for and what could be lost.
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 Wawa? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Note 4 says "The Municipality has a 20% equity share of 2729028 Ontario Inc.", "The Municipality has committed to contributing $100,000 to the Corporation.", shows "Balance, end of year" of $ 53,098, and says "Financial information for the Corporation for 2025 was not available at the time of the audit report date."
Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 · Note 4, PDF page 19
$7,285,743government transfers and grants in 2025, against $5,489,687 of net taxation
In 2025 the Municipality received $7,285,743 in government transfers and grants, more than the $5,489,687 it raised in net property taxes. The Municipality itself lists "Strong reliance on power dam grant" among its pressures.
Grants are set by other governments and can change. A town that relies on them can see its budget move without a vote of its own council.
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 Wawa? Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The 2025 statement of operations shows "Net taxation" of 5,489,687 and "Government transfers and grants" of 7,285,743 for 2025, and 6,271,518 for 2024.
Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025 · Statement of Operations and Accumulated Surplus, PDF page 8
The 2026 draft budget presentation lists "Strong reliance on power dam grant" among its pressures and "OMPF Grant - up $126,900 in 2026" among its positives.
2026 Draft Operating Budget presentation, March 3, 2026 · slide 5 (PDF page 5); a draft, we did not find the adopted version