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MeetingsFri, Feb 20, 20261h 50mCouncil2022–2026 Council

Committee of the Whole

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Summary

  • Received options to lower the 2026 property tax increase to 11%, 9%, 6% or 3% (Finance report).
  • Adopted the Committee of the Whole minutes from February 10, 2026 (Carried).
  • Approved the meeting agenda as presented (Carried).

Decisions

0 decisions

Only procedural motions were recorded.

Agenda

9 items · select one for details, debate and documents

Summary

Chair called the meeting to order.

call-to-order

Summary

Councillor Wagner read the City's Territorial Acknowledgement.

acknowledgement

Summary

Corporate Officer/moderator read the meeting conduct and participation instructions.

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Summary

Council moved and carried approval of the meeting agenda as presented.

Motions (1)

PassedMoved by C. Harder

THAT Committee of the Whole approve the agenda as presented.

agendaprocedural

Summary

Adoption of previous meeting minutes (see 5.1 for the specific minutes item).

minutes-adoption

Summary

Council moved to adopt the Committee of the Whole minutes from February 10, 2026.

Motions (1)

PassedMoved by C. Harder

THAT Committee of the Whole adopt the minutes of the Committee of the Whole meeting held on February 10, 2026.

minutes

Summary

Reports for Committee consideration (see 6.1).

reports

Summary

Staff presented options and impacts to reduce the proposed 2026 municipal property tax increase (proposed 15.13%) to target levels of 11%, 9%, 6% or 3%.

Debate

Staff presented the proposed financial impacts (reserves decline, capital carry-forwards, ERP replacement need, and childcare grants) and quantified the dollar reductions required to reach 11% ($2.57M), 9% ($3.81M), 6% ($5.68M) and 3% ($7.5M). Committee questioned specific service impacts (irrigation replacement at Centennial Park, tree maintenance, sidewalk infill prioritization, storm/drainage contingency, arena repairs, downtown greening and events/tourism impacts). Staff repeatedly cautioned that some reductions are one-time while others would increase future year tax pressure if deferred. Committee agreed to await public input (budget survey and March 17 COTW deliberation) before final reductions.

Motions (1)

PassedMoved by K. Yacucha

THAT Committee of the Whole receive the report dated February 19, 2026, from the Director of Finance for information.

Documents (1)

Finance department report (dated February 19, 2026) analyzing options to reduce the proposed 2026 municipal property tax increase (proposed at 15.13%) to alternative targets of 11%, 9%, 6%, and 3%, and describing associated service and future fiscal impacts.

Report date: Thursday, February 19, 2026; Department: Finance; Submitted by Michael Dillabaugh, CPA, CA, Director of FinanceProposed 2026 tax increase (as presented Feb 10, 2026): 15.13% (previously 15.97% presented Dec 8, 2025)Memo examines reductions to reach targets: 11% (requires reduction of 4.13% = $2,569,110), 9% (additional 2% = $1,244,122; total reductions ~6.13% = $3,813,235), 6% (additional 3% = $1,866,180; total reductions ~9.13% = $5,679,415), 3% (additional 3% = $1,866,180; total reductions ~12.13% = $7,545,600)Monetary conversion: 1% property tax increase in 2026 = $622,061Examples of proposed reductions/impacts: defer/hire fewer City Hall positions (8 proposed; various levels of deferral across options), reduce transfer from Capital Works Reserve (funded by casino revenue) to cover debt servicing, cut or defer engineering/design budget for future capital works, reduce parks irrigation/utilities (reductions cited: $100,000, $150,000, $200,000 at different scenarios), cancel or scale community events (reductions cited: $50,000, $100,000, $150,000), defer IT/ERP replacement work (ERP end-of-life 2029; deferral risks larger increases later), reduce RCMP authorized new hires (proposed 4 new officers; options to add 2, 1 or 0 depending on scenario), remove e-bike rebate programSpecific dollar line examples: internal capital payment reduction example $800,000; eliminate transfer from Capital Works to cover debt servicing examples $600,000–$850,000 depending on scenario; PCFS funding request $85,000 increase (could be reduced back to 2025 level)Service impacts described: reduced street/park maintenance, reduced public washroom hours (up to ~50% closure under deep cuts), stadium security elimination at deepest cut, overflowing garbage bins risk if increased pickup frequency defunded, deferred road paving (e.g., $350,000 reduction at 3% scenario), potential negative impact on grant readiness if engineering/design deferredImpact on future years: explains three scenarios (permanent cut, one-year cut causing larger % increase next year, and cuts to multi-year funded items causing larger increases later) with examples and arithmeticLegal note: Section 197 of the Community Charter requires tax rates set by bylaw after adoption of Financial Plan and prior to May 15 annuallyRecommendation/option listed: Option 1 - Committee of the Whole receive the report dated February 19, 2026 from the Director of Finance for informationContact/address: City of Langford, 2nd Floor, 877 Goldstream Avenue, Langford, BC V9B 2X8; phone 250.478.7882
Staff Report to Committee of the Whole

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Potential Options to Reduce the 2026 Property Tax Increase to 11% - Part 1 of 2

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Potential Options to Reduce the 2026 Property Tax Increase to 11% - Part 2 of 2

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Potential Options to Reduce the 2026 Property Tax Increase to 9% - Part 1 of 2

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Potential Options to Reduce the 2026 Property Tax Increase to 9% - Part 2 of 2

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Potential Options to Reduce the 2026 Property Tax Increase to 6% - Part 1 of 2

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Potential Options to Reduce the 2026 Property Tax Increase to 6% - Part 2 of 2

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Potential Options to Reduce the 2026 Property Tax Increase to 3% - Part 1 of 2

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Potential Options to Reduce the 2026 Property Tax Increase to 3% - Part 2 of 2

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FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:

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LEGAL IMPLICATIONS:

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STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:

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OPTIONS:

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View full document
budgettaxesfinancial-planservice-levels

Summary

Committee moved to adjourn; Chair adjourned the meeting at 8:50 pm.

Motions (1)

PassedMoved by K. Yacucha

THAT Committee of the Whole adjourn the meeting.

adjournment