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City of Langford Discusses Draft Five-Year Financial Plan

February 21, 2025
City of Langford Discusses Draft Five-Year Financial Plan

(Langford, B.C.) – At the Council meeting of February 20, 2025, City of Langford Council deliberated the draft Five-Year Financial Plan for the period of 2025 to 2029. The draft Plan included a proposed 14.51% tax increase for 2025, with projected annual increases of 11.56%, 6.27%, 5.18%, and 5.11% over the subsequent four years. The proposed 14.51% increase would result in an approximate $30 per month increase in municipal property taxes for a representative house.

During the meeting, the Committee of the Whole reviewed key items from the operating budget and approved several resolutions that reduced the proposed tax increase to 11.96%.

The Committee of the Whole also requested that staff review additional key budget items for potential reductions and present a report at an upcoming Committee of the Whole Meeting, scheduled for March 4, 7:00 p.m.

Key Budget Items in the Draft Five-Year Financial Plan Included:

  • RCMP Contract (contract increases and five additional members): 4.00%
  • E-Comm Police Dispatch: 2.36%
  • Fire Department Staffing (per Master Plan): 1.85%
  • Debt Servicing Costs (Westhills Langford Aquatic Centre): 1.75%
  • Maintenance Contracts (roads and parks maintenance): 1.47%
  • Debt payment (internal borrowing): 1.39% to 0.46% (Committee of the Whole recommended that this item be reduced by $500,000).
  • General Staffing: 1.30% (Committee of the Whole requested further information be provided on March 4th).
  • CPI on Wages: 1.12%
  • Langford Aquatic Centre Rent (three months): 0.86% to 0% (Committee of the Whole requested that staff explore whether this item be funded from a source other than taxation).
  • Repairs and Maintenance: 0.69%
  • Greater Victoria Public Library: 0.56%
  • Additional Savings for Required Future Technology Upgrades: 0.56% (Committee of the Whole requested that staff explore whether this item be funded from a source other than taxation).
  • Capital Funded by Property Taxes: 0.45% to 0% (Committee of the Whole requested that staff explore whether this item can be funded from a source other than taxation and that these projects be debated as part of the capital budget).
  • Woodlands Park Tenant Supports: 0.37%
  • IT Programs and Licencing: 0.37%
  • Miscellaneous (net effect of increases and decreases of revenues and expenses): 0.33%
  • Royal Roads Innovation Studio: 0.28% to 0.14% (Committee of the Whole recommended that this item be adjusted as the new downtown campus is not yet open).
  • West Shore Parks and Recreation: 0.27%
  • Insurance and Utilities: 0.25%
  • E-bike Rebate Program: 0.14% to 0% (Committee of the Whole recommended this program be deferred to 2026 and 2027).
  • Legal Budget Reduction: -0.30%
  • Non-market Change: -5.56%


In addition to the above items, the Committee of the Whole recommended a 25% reduction in the Council training and travel budget, which equates to $17,500.

The proposed budget also includes multiple capital projects that will enhance infrastructure and public amenities throughout the community.

Proposed Capital Project Highlights Include:

  • Latoria Road Corridor Upgrades
  • Sidewalk Infill
  • Westhills Langford Aquatic Centre
  • Woodlands Park


PUBLIC INPUT

This year, the public was invited to contribute to the budget process by providing input through a survey hosted on LetsChatLangford.ca, written submissions via a dedicated email, and participation during Committee of the Whole meetings. Comments sent through the budget email were forwarded to Council and may be discussed during upcoming meetings.

The survey, launched on January 21, 2025, aimed to increase transparency and public participation in budgeting, aligning with the Council’s Strategic Plan initiatives to enhance budget related decision making. The survey closed on February 9, 2025, with a total of 631 responses received. A survey summary report was included in the February 20th agenda package and is posted on Langford.ca/Budget, and on LetsChatLangford.ca/Budget.

As Council continues to deliberate the 2025-2029 Financial Plan, the City looks forward to receiving further input from the community during public participation over the next few meetings:

Committee of the Whole Meeting, Tuesday, March 4th, 7 p.m.
Regular Council Meeting, Monday, March 17th, 7 p.m.
Regular Council Meeting, Tuesday April 22nd, 7 p.m.
Regular Council Meeting, Monday May 5th, 7 p.m.

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Municipalities must adopt a five-year financial plan annually before May 15th, as required by the Community Charter, which forms the basis for calculating property tax rates. The City of Langford’s annual budget is designed to maintain service levels, accommodate population growth, address inflation, and meet funding requests and obligations related to public safety and recreation, aligned with Council’s Strategic Plan priorities. Langford’s municipal property taxes are once again projected to remain among the lowest within the Capital Regional District.


MEDIA CONTACT:
Harriet D’Costa,
Communications Advisor
Cell: 250-661-9346
Email: 

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