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by hand, Oct 2026DetailsThis is built from public records, which leave a lot out, and some of it may be wrong or out of date.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 Wollaston'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 · 11 so far
Things worth asking about
We read Wollaston's financial reports and meeting minutes, and compared its numbers with 3 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.
$2,130,345.30the 2026 general municipal levy, against $1,700,939.97 for 2023
The levy is the amount of money the Township collects from property owners through its own tax rate (the County and the school boards collect theirs on top). Each spring Council passes a by-law saying how much of the year's spending is paid by property tax. The by-laws we read give $1,700,939.97 for 2023, $1,890,493.75 for 2024 and $2,012,779.46 for 2025. The 2026 by-law gives $2,130,345.30 for "General Municipal Purposes". Worked out by us, that is about 11% more in 2024, 6% more in 2025 and 6% more in 2026, and about 25% more than in 2023. We did not find a budget report that explains the rises.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 4 sources
$2,760,261long term debt at December 31, 2024, with $2,097,582 of interest still to pay
In 2023 Council borrowed $2,723,338.00 from Ontario Infrastructure and Lands Corporation, a provincial lender, towards the cost of the new fire hall. The loan runs 30 years at 4.59%. At December 31, 2024 the Township owed $2,760,261 in total, and its statements show net debt of $(942,351), meaning its debts were larger than its financial assets. Interest paid in 2024 was $127,414, up from $89,633 in 2023. Over the years left, the statements show $2,097,582 of interest still to pay on top of the debt.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 3 sources
$782,730contracted services in 2024, against a budget of $585,547
Contracted services means work paid for by invoice (contractors, consultants, outside firms) instead of by wages. The 2024 statements show $782,730 spent, against a budget of $585,547 and $617,681 the year before. The same year, salaries and benefits came in at $1,138,161 against a budget of $1,298,531. In the segment tables, contracted services in general government (the council and office) were $347,753 in 2024 and $166,911 in 2023.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
2021the most recent year with a budget summary on the Township's Budget & Finance page
The Township's Budget & Finance page lists financial statements for 2019 to 2025, yearly tax rate by-laws, and the by-laws that set each year's estimates. On the date we read it, the only budget documents were the 2019 budget and the 2021 budget summary; for 2022 to 2026 there were by-laws, not a budget book or presentation. We did not find a council pay and expenses statement (the yearly report the Municipal Act requires) on the page. The 2025 statements file we downloaded has no readable text, so we could not read any figure from it.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 1 source
$159,105Canada Community-Building Fund balance held at December 31, 2024
The Canada Community-Building Fund is money that can only be spent on approved projects. The 2024 budget in the statements expected $166,898 of it to be used. The statements show $29,073 used, and a balance of $159,105 still held at year end. Spending on capital assets (roads, buildings, equipment) was $244,608 against a budget of $395,356.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
$(56,402)actual 2024 annual deficit, against a budgeted $(220,822) in the statements
The statements print a 2024 budgeted deficit of $(220,822), and an actual deficit of $(56,402). The Township explains the difference itself: Council's approved budget is built differently from the statements. Council's approved annual surplus is shown as nil, and the statements adjust it for capital purchases, amortization (the yearly wearing out of assets), loan repayments and transfers to reserves.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
Reserves are savings that Council sets aside for later. At December 31, 2024 the Township held $2,365,519 in reserves, up from $2,224,399. The largest are working capital ($1,118,391) and future capital assets ($806,159). The same statements show long term debt of $2,760,261 and an unfunded asset retirement obligation (the estimated cost of closing the landfill and removing asbestos and fuel tanks) of $577,948.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 2 sources
The Wollaston Public Library Board's 2024 statements are included with the Township's. The accounting firm did a review (a lighter check than an audit) and gave a qualified conclusion, meaning it could not check one kind of income. The firm gives its reason: the board gets income from donations and other sources it could not test beyond the board's own records. The amounts are small: donations and other revenue were $2,534 and total revenue $50,278.
Found by reading the town's own documents · 1 source
In 2019, Wollaston had $1.3M more in cash and money owed to it than it owed to others. By 2025 it was −$588K. About 30% of that change ($564K) is a new accounting rule from 2023: towns must now record the future cost of closing things like a landfill. That is not new spending or borrowing. Even leaving that out, only 1 of 3 similar towns are in a weaker position.
Found automatically from the town's financial reports · 2 sources
$2,130,345.30the 2026 general municipal levy, against $1,700,939.97 for 2023
The levy is the amount of money the Township collects from property owners through its own tax rate (the County and the school boards collect theirs on top). Each spring Council passes a by-law saying how much of the year's spending is paid by property tax. The by-laws we read give $1,700,939.97 for 2023, $1,890,493.75 for 2024 and $2,012,779.46 for 2025. The 2026 by-law gives $2,130,345.30 for "General Municipal Purposes". Worked out by us, that is about 11% more in 2024, 6% more in 2025 and 6% more in 2026, and about 25% more than in 2023. We did not find a budget report that explains the rises.
Why it matters
Wollaston is a small township, and every property owner pays the Township's share. A rise of a quarter in three years is worth understanding, especially as a new loan began to be repaid in 2023.
It could be because…
Monthly payments on the fire hall loan began in May 2023, and the loan has to be paid from somewhere. Part of the rise may be loan payments (see the finding on debt).
Costs of roads, fire protection and wages rise every year, and grants (revenue from the Province of Ontario was $1,154,429 in 2024) may not have kept pace.
Taxes may have been held low before 2023, so the later rises are catch-up.
Questions you could ask
How much of the rise from 2023 to 2026 is payments on the fire hall loan, and how much is higher costs for roads, fire and wages?
Is there a published budget report or presentation showing what Council planned to spend on each service in 2025 and 2026?
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 Wollaston?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Clause 3: "revenues to be levied through property taxes to be $1,700,939.97". Clause 1: expenditure estimates $6,836,923.40. The by-law was passed May 9, 2023.
Clause 1: "General Municipal Purposes" $2,130, 345.30 (printed with a space after the comma). The recital says "the 2026 levy for all purposes has been set at $3,122,139", which includes the County and the school boards. Passed April 14, 2026.
$2,760,261long term debt at December 31, 2024, with $2,097,582 of interest still to pay
In 2023 Council borrowed $2,723,338.00 from Ontario Infrastructure and Lands Corporation, a provincial lender, towards the cost of the new fire hall. The loan runs 30 years at 4.59%. At December 31, 2024 the Township owed $2,760,261 in total, and its statements show net debt of $(942,351), meaning its debts were larger than its financial assets. Interest paid in 2024 was $127,414, up from $89,633 in 2023. Over the years left, the statements show $2,097,582 of interest still to pay on top of the debt.
Why it matters
A loan like this is paid back out of the tax levy for 30 years, by councils that have not been elected yet. It is a normal way to build a fire hall, but residents should be able to see the whole cost, not only the building price.
It could be because…
A 30-year loan spreads the cost across the people who will use the building, which many councils think is fair.
The auditor's statement says the loan payments are within the annual debt repayment limit set by the Province (note 6(b)).
The Township holds $2,365,519 in reserves, so the debt is not its only financial position.
Questions you could ask
What was the total cost of the new fire hall, how much came from grants and reserves, and how much was borrowed?
What yearly payment on this loan has Council planned for in the 2026 levy?
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 Wollaston?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Title: a by-law "to authorize the borrowing upon amortizing debentures in the principal amount of $2,723,338.00 towards the cost of the new Wollaston fire hall". Debentures are dated April 03, 2023 and mature April 03, 2053.
Note 6(a): loan from Ontario Infrastructure and Lands Corporation "payable in blended monthly payments of $13,945, due in 2053 with a fixed interest rate of 4.59%", balance 2,650,154. Note 6(c): interest paid $127,414 (2023 - $89,633). Note 6(d): payments in 2025 total 225,651; interest over all years 2,097,582.
$782,730contracted services in 2024, against a budget of $585,547
Contracted services means work paid for by invoice (contractors, consultants, outside firms) instead of by wages. The 2024 statements show $782,730 spent, against a budget of $585,547 and $617,681 the year before. The same year, salaries and benefits came in at $1,138,161 against a budget of $1,298,531. In the segment tables, contracted services in general government (the council and office) were $347,753 in 2024 and $166,911 in 2023.
Why it matters
Contracts are a way of buying services that does not show up as wages. A line that runs a third over budget, and that doubles in one department, deserves a plain explanation of what was bought.
It could be because…
Work that employees would normally do may have been bought from outside while positions were open, which would also explain wages under budget.
One-time projects such as planning studies, engineering or an audit may sit in this line.
Protection services (fire and related work) has its own contracted line of $310,144, which may include agreements with neighbouring municipalities.
Questions you could ask
What did the Township buy under contracted services in general government in 2024, and why did it rise?
Were there open staff positions in 2024 that were filled by contract work instead?
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 Wollaston?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Note 9, expenses by object, 2024 budget / 2024 actual / 2023 actual: "Contracted services" 585,547 / 782,730 / 617,681; "Salaries and benefits" 1,298,531 / 1,138,161 / 1,073,017.
Segment disclosure, "Contracted services": General Government 347,753 (2024); Protection Services 310,144; Environmental Services 118,343; total 782,730. 2023 table: General Government 166,911; total 617,681.
2021the most recent year with a budget summary on the Township's Budget & Finance page
The Township's Budget & Finance page lists financial statements for 2019 to 2025, yearly tax rate by-laws, and the by-laws that set each year's estimates. On the date we read it, the only budget documents were the 2019 budget and the 2021 budget summary; for 2022 to 2026 there were by-laws, not a budget book or presentation. We did not find a council pay and expenses statement (the yearly report the Municipal Act requires) on the page. The 2025 statements file we downloaded has no readable text, so we could not read any figure from it.
Why it matters
Residents can only question a budget they can see. The by-laws give three totals; they do not say what the money is for.
It could be because…
The Township may publish its budget in the council agenda package on its meeting portal, which we did not read.
Small townships often do not produce a separate budget book.
The pay report may sit on another page or be available on request.
Questions you could ask
Will the Township post the 2025 and 2026 budgets, and the 2025 audited statements as a text PDF people can search?
Where is the yearly statement of council pay and expenses published?
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 Wollaston?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
The page lists, among others, "2026 – Tax rate By-law", "14-2025 Bylaw – Establish Expenditure Revenue for year", "2021 Budget Summary", "2021 Financial Statements", and under "Reports, Studies & Plans" "2024 Asset Management Plan". It says: "These statements are available on our website below, or upon request."
Wollaston spent $727K on roads and snow in 2019 and $1.3M in 2025. Prices only went up about 21% in that time.
Why did the cost of roads and snow grow 75% in 6 years?
Roads and snow
Prices (inflation)
+0%+20%+40%+60%+80%
+75%
2019202020212022202320242025
Show as a table
Year
Roads and snow
Prices (inflation)
2019
+0%
+0%
2020
+0%
+1%
2021
+19%
+4%
2022
+46%
+11%
2023
+43%
+16%
2024
+52%
+18%
2025
+75%
+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 $542K a year pay for?
Why did paved roads go from $592K to $1.0M?
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. How to reach council.
Speak for Wollaston?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
Wollaston spent $389K on police, fire and safety in 2019 and $723K in 2025. Prices only went up about 21% in that time.
Why did the cost of police, fire and safety grow 86% in 6 years?
Police, fire and safety
Prices (inflation)
+0%+20%+40%+60%+80%+100%
+86%
2019202020212022202320242025
Show as a table
Year
Police, fire and safety
Prices (inflation)
2019
+0%
+0%
2020
+21%
+1%
2021
+31%
+4%
2022
+87%
+11%
2023
+75%
+16%
2024
+75%
+18%
2025
+86%
+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 $334K a year pay for?
Why did fire department go from $57,713 to $288K?
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. How to reach council.
Speak for Wollaston?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Police, fire and safety: 2019 $389K, 2020 $469K, 2021 $509K, 2022 $726K, 2023 $681K, 2024 $681K, 2025 $723K.
$159,105Canada Community-Building Fund balance held at December 31, 2024
The Canada Community-Building Fund is money that can only be spent on approved projects. The 2024 budget in the statements expected $166,898 of it to be used. The statements show $29,073 used, and a balance of $159,105 still held at year end. Spending on capital assets (roads, buildings, equipment) was $244,608 against a budget of $395,356.
Why it matters
Money that is set aside for a purpose should be used for it. A balance that sits unspent may mean projects were delayed.
It could be because…
Projects started or finished later than planned. The money is not lost; the statements carry it forward.
Capital work often runs across years, so a gap between budget and actual in one year is common.
The Township is also holding the County of Hastings' share of the fund, $22,060 received in 2024.
Questions you could ask
Which projects is the fund balance of $159,105 planned to pay for, and 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 Wollaston?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Statement of operations, 2024: "Canada Community-Building Fund earned (note 4)" budget 166,898, actual 29,073. Statement of change in net debt: "Purchase of tangible capital assets" budget (395,356), actual (244,608).
Note 4: "Balance - end of year" 159,105 (2023: 146,596). Received in 2024: CCBF funding 11,335; County of Hastings' share of CCBF 22,060. Transfer to operations: 29,073.
$(56,402)actual 2024 annual deficit, against a budgeted $(220,822) in the statements
The statements print a 2024 budgeted deficit of $(220,822), and an actual deficit of $(56,402). The Township explains the difference itself: Council's approved budget is built differently from the statements. Council's approved annual surplus is shown as nil, and the statements adjust it for capital purchases, amortization (the yearly wearing out of assets), loan repayments and transfers to reserves.
Why it matters
Readers who compare the budget by-law with the audited statements will see two different pictures. The Township's note shows how they connect, which is the answer to the question.
It could be because…
This is ordinary public-sector accounting: the budget counts cash needs and the statements count the full cost of using assets.
The actual deficit was smaller than the statements' budget, mostly because capital spending and amortization came in lower than planned.
Questions you could ask
Does the Township publish the budget as Council approved it, line by line, so the note's adjustments can be followed?
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 Wollaston?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Note 10: reconciliation of Council's approved budget: approved annual surplus/(deficit) -; tangible capital asset additions 395,356; amortization of tangible capital assets (582,978); principal repayment of long term debt 96,540; transfers to/(from) reserves and reserve funds (129,740); "Annual deficit per Consolidated Statement of Operations" (220,822).
Reserves are savings that Council sets aside for later. At December 31, 2024 the Township held $2,365,519 in reserves, up from $2,224,399. The largest are working capital ($1,118,391) and future capital assets ($806,159). The same statements show long term debt of $2,760,261 and an unfunded asset retirement obligation (the estimated cost of closing the landfill and removing asbestos and fuel tanks) of $577,948.
Why it matters
Reserves and debt are two sides of the same plan. Residents can judge whether the Township is saving enough for what is coming by knowing what each reserve is for.
It could be because…
Reserves going up while debt is paid down is what a careful plan looks like.
Reserves are often held to avoid borrowing more, or to keep the tax rise lower when a large cost arrives.
The Fire reserve fell from $91,463 to $80,987, which may only mean it was used as planned.
Questions you could ask
Does Council have a written plan for what each reserve is for, and how much it will draw down over the next five 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 Wollaston?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Note 8, accumulated surplus: Working capital 1,118,391 (2023: 993,795); Future capital assets 806,159; Waste site 294,793; Fire 80,987 (2023: 91,463); "Total Reserves" 2,365,519 (2023: 2,224,399). Unfunded asset retirement obligation (577,948).
The Wollaston Public Library Board's 2024 statements are included with the Township's. The accounting firm did a review (a lighter check than an audit) and gave a qualified conclusion, meaning it could not check one kind of income. The firm gives its reason: the board gets income from donations and other sources it could not test beyond the board's own records. The amounts are small: donations and other revenue were $2,534 and total revenue $50,278.
Why it matters
Even small public bodies handle public money. A qualified conclusion on a small amount is a routine thing, but it is worth knowing about.
It could be because…
The firm's report says this is common to many public library boards, because donations cannot be fully tested.
A review costs much less than an audit, which suits a board this size.
Questions you could ask
Does the library board report to Council in public each year?
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 Wollaston?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
The evidence
Review engagement report, qualified conclusion: "In common with many Public Library Boards, the Board derives revenue from donations and other revenues, the completeness of which is not susceptible to us obtaining evidence we considered necessary". Statement of operations 2024: "Donations and other" 2,534; "TOTAL REVENUES" 50,278.
In 2019, Wollaston had $1.3M more in cash and money owed to it than it owed to others. By 2025 it was −$588K. About 30% of that change ($564K) is a new accounting rule from 2023: towns must now record the future cost of closing things like a landfill. That is not new spending or borrowing. Even leaving that out, only 1 of 3 similar towns are in a weaker position.
Wollaston went from having money in the bank to owing more than it has. What changed?
−$2.0M−$1.0M$0$1.0M$2.0M
−$588K
2019202020212022202320242025
Show as a table
Year
Net financial position
2019
$1.3M
2020
$1.7M
2021
$2.0M
2022
$1.5M
2023
−$1.2M
2024
−$942K
2025
−$588K
Why it matters
This number is one of the clearest signs of whether a town is living within its means. The accounting-rule part is a bill that will come due when the landfill closes, not money already spent. The rest is real borrowing and spending of savings.
It could be because…
A new accounting rule (asset retirement obligations, from 2023) added a large future cost to the books all at once.
Borrowing for a planned project, such as sewage lagoons, which is paid back over many years.
Questions you could ask
What is the plan and timeline for paying the landfill closing cost?
Without the accounting change, is the town's position getting better or worse?
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 Wollaston?Send us your answer and we will publish it with this question.
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