Budget and Financial Plan 2026
Overview
Township of Langley is currently working on a balanced budget while maintaining important services and infrastructure within the Municipality.
To help ensure the budget reflects the priorities, concerns, and areas of interest of Township residents, the Municipality invited residents to participate in a short survey.
Council sought input in advance through this survey to help them make informed choices that best serve the community as they consider the budget.
Outcome
The 2026 – 2030 Five-Year Financial Plan, with emphasis on the 2026 Operating and Capital Budget was approved by Council on March 23, 2026. Council approved a 3.97% property tax increase for 2026. Read details of the budget outcomes.
2026 operating and capital budget
Township of Langley Council is in the process of deliberating the 2026 – 2030 five-year financial plan, with emphasis on the 2026 operating and capital budget. Before they consider the Financial Plan and Budget, Council would like to hear from citizens, so that their views and feedback may be taken into consideration.
The opportunity to provide your input closed on January 9, 2026.
2026-2030 financial plan information
More information will be added here as the budget process is deliberated by Council.
| Overview and context | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
This draft budget is presented in a time of continued uncertainty in the financial environment. While inflation is returning to anticipated rates, interest rates remain relatively high, the Canadian dollar continues to fluctuate and there is ongoing uncertainty with respect to tariffs. These factors impact the Township and while there has been improvement, it is still a fiscally challenging environment which is expected to persist into the five-year plan. This draft financial plan, as presented, provides for the continuation of services as well as enhancements to services which have been deemed to be a priority by Council. Some of those priorities are improved public safety and new amenities within the rapidly growing Community. Capital projects which were previously approved and commenced are moving forward as planned. Those projects requiring new funding will be evaluated by Council to ensure continued alignment with current priorities. The objective is to sustain existing infrastructure, ensure health and safety, and plan for new infrastructure to support a fast-growing community. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Universal services budget | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Universal Services includes Parks, Transportation Utility, Stormwater Utility, and General (which includes Fire, Police, Bylaw Enforcement, Recreation and Culture, Facilities, and General Government). The Draft 2026 Budget reflects universal services increase of 3.98% or $108.22 for the average residential home with a value of $1,511,423. In establishing this budget and the resultant tax rate, all costs and sources of revenue were carefully reviewed. The table below summarizes the total changes to the budget:
Highlights - core services budgetCore Municipal ServicesSignificant changesSalary, Wages and Benefits: The increase in salary and wages reflects trends in the labour market including union wage settlements and other issues with respect to recruitment and retention issues. Operating efficiencies and cost cuttingA review of departmental budgets was undertaken by staff resulting in efficiencies and cost savings with no impact on services. Staff were able to find permanent cost savings of $1.25M which has been included in this budget and will continue to review opportunities for efficiencies. Other itemsSignificant additional budget increases include additional $2,895,000 for debt payments including culvert Infrastructure and facility renewal debt approved in 2025, operating costs associated with the opening of LEC Ice and Dry Arenas (August) projected to be $1,166,000 for the five month period, additional operating costs for Fire Hall #5 (April) of $109,000 for the nine month period, increases in insurance premiums of $297,000 attributed to the onboarding of LEC Ice and Dry Arenas and Fire Hall #5 as well as general premium increases. There are also offsets which include revenue increases of $1.8 million resulting from anticipated increases from building permits, admission fees, and field rental. Additionally, there was a reduction in the transfer to capital projects reserve in the amount of $1,425,000. Protective ServicesSignificant changesPoliceThere is an annual increase for the current contracted officers of $2,300,000, as well as the annualization of the two RCMP officers from 2025 ($218,000). We are proposing the addition of two new RCMP officers in December of 2026 ($44,000). In addition, there are also costs for civilian staffing, telecommunications and Next Gen911 funding. FireThis includes the annual wage increases of $1,430,000, the addition of 12 Firefighters on July 1, 2026 ($728,000) and 4 Firefighters on October 1, 2026 ($121,000), training expenses, and protective clothing and uniforms with savings from reduction in paid call. Bylaw EnforcementThis includes the annual wage increases, the addition of two bylaw enforcement officers on April 1, 2026 ($175,000) and one bylaw enforcement officer on July 1, 2026 ($59,000), the annualization of two bylaw enforcement officers from 2025 ($21,000), uniform costs, and bylaw enforcement vehicle rental costs. In addition, there is a negotiated contract reduction with LAPS in the amount of $106,000. Household impact and five-year planThe household impact of the proposed 3.98% increase for 2026:
A five-year projection of proposed changes is as follows:
For the remaining four years of the five-year financial plan, in addition to base budget increases, the plan includes:
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Library services | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Consistent with prior years, the costs to operate the Township’s libraries are being presented separately and include increases which are part of our service contract with Fraser Valley Regional Library as well as costs to operate the facilities. Highlights - library servicesFraser Valley Regional Library Contract Increase: This increase was a result of anticipated wage increases from contract negotiations,new wage settlements, and increased costs of library materials. Contribution to library reserve fund: The reserve was established to fund future library infrastructure and has been decreased this year to reflect changing timelines for new facilities. Household impact and five-year planThe household impact of the proposed 1.86% levy increase for 2026:
A five-year projection of proposed changes is as follows:
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| User pay utilities | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2026 proposed utility rates and change
PurposeTo provide Council with the Draft 2026 utility rates. The utility rate budget will be included in the Five Year Annual Financial Plan. Background/historyCouncil resolution dated December 1, 2025 directed staff to review, consider and recommend adjustments for Council’s consideration within the draft 2026 Utility Rate Bylaw for multi-family, townhouse and secondary suite flat rate levies and applicable meter sizes fixed capital portions. Discussion/analysisUser pay utilities proposed budget changes
Highlights – user pay utilitiesUser pay utility fees provide funding for expenditures for salaries and wages, utility contracts, service and maintenance contracts, debt repayments, and operating costs for the water, sanitary sewer, and solid waste infrastructure. Within the water utility, the main driver of the budget changes is a 6.4% rate increase for water purchases from Metro Vancouver (2025 increase was 7.2%). This increase is largely offset by a decrease in the contribution to reserve as a result of the elimination of the requirement to fund the second phase of the Jericho Reservoir. Within the sewer utility, the current proposed reduction is a result of the reduction in the contribution to the capital works reserve. Sewer currently has an adequate reserve balance to provide for the 2026-2030 sewer capital plan. Within the solid waste utility, increases are required for collection and disposal contract increases. This is partially offset by a reduction in reserve transfer based on current needs. Household impact and five-year planThe household impact of proposed changes to the utility user pay fees for 2026 is shown in the table below. An estimated growth rate for new users joining the system has been estimated at 1.80% for both water and sewer and 0.42% for solid waste. The proposed 2026 utility user pay fee implements a change to the fee structure as directed by Council on December 1, 2025. Current Year Proposed Flat Rate Changes are as follows
Annual water and sewer infrastructure charges have been updated to reflect the ratios recommended by the American Water Works Association. The metered consumption rates remain unchanged. Proposed Metered Utility Rates are included in the rate schedules as attached and forming part of the bylaw. Use of prior year surplus and reserves to fund one-time expendituresBudgeted one-time items may include specific Council directives, expenditures to meet one-time commitments, initial funding for the commencement of programs and/or services, payment and/or pay-down of debt obligations, and transfers to reserves. One-time items are funded from prior year surplus and reserves or other sources, as such, have no impact on current or future property tax rates. Current year proposed User Pay Utilities one-time expenditures
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Capital program |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Funding for the capital program comes from sources such as reserves and surplus, development cost charges receipts, senior government grants, local area service funds, and debt financing. The previously approved and commenced projects are moving forward as planned. The bylaw considers that funds will be received during the year. Council will have further opportunities to approve additional projects when sufficient funds become available. Reports will be brought to Council for consideration and approved on the individual merits of the projects and alignment with Council priorities. |
Meetings
As a result of the changes approved at the March 9, 2026 council meeting, the 2026 property tax increase was reduced from 3.98% to 3.97%.
March 9, 2026 council meeting
February 23, 2026 council meeting
January 26, 2026 council meeting
Public engagement opportunities
Thank you for providing your input to help Council make informed choices that best serve the community. The survey closed on January 9, 2026.
Questions
If you have questions, comments, or feedback on this operating and capital budget information, you may also call or email:
Finance Division
budget@tol.ca
604-533-6022