Staff Report to Committee of the Whole: Public Input Summary for the 2026 Budget

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

This report provides an overview of the public feedback collected to date, including the results from the 2026 budget survey, regarding the proposed 2026-2030 Financial Plan.

To date, there have been multiple public presentations regarding the proposed Plan, as well as several opportunities for public input. Individuals were encouraged to participate either in person or on-line at the February 23, 2026, Committee of the Whole meeting, via the budget email Budget2026@Langford.ca, or through a survey that was open from February 11, 2026, to March 4, 2026.

The remaining scheduled budget meetings are as follows:

• Tuesday March 17th at 7pm
  Committee of the Whole

  • Presentation of Budget Survey Results
  • Mayor and Councillors Deliberation
  • Public Input

• Tuesday April 7th
  Regular Council Meeting at 7pm

  • Council to Deliberate and Consider Approval of Financial Plan
  • Public Input

• Monday April 20th
  Regular Council Meeting at 7pm

  • Council to Consider 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Readings of Financial Plan Bylaw and 2026 Tax Rates Bylaw
  • Public Input

• Monday May 4th
  Regular Council Meeting at 7pm

  • Council to Consider Adoption of Financial Plan Bylaw and 2026 Tax Rates Bylaw
  • Public Input

BACKGROUND:

The budget survey, hosted on LetsChatLangford.ca, opened on February 11, 2026, and closed on March 4, 2026. The survey was advertised through social media, the newspaper, digital billboards, emails (weekly newsletters), and at each Committee of the Whole meeting. Physical copies of the survey were available at City Hall reception and at the February 28, 2026 Council Open House.

The Budget2026@Langford.ca email was provided to residents at the February 10, 2026 Committee of the Whole meeting and advertised in meeting presentations, as well as on the budget website (Budget 2026 - City of Langford), and on social media.

Information about the proposed 2026-2030 Financial Plan is available through the City of Langford budget website and LetsChatLangford.ca.

COMMENTARY:

A total of 383 survey responses were received. A survey summary report is attached and will be posted at Langford.ca/Budget, and on LetsChatLangford.ca/Budget.

Comments and questions received through the budget email were forwarded to Council for review and may be addressed during upcoming budget meetings through staff comments or presentations.

As of March 9, 2026, 16 emails have been received.

STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:

• 5bii – Ensure All Budget Documents are Transparent and User Friendly.
• 5c – Expand Opportunities for Public Engagement.

OPTIONS:

Option 1

THAT Committee of the Whole receive this report for information.

SUBMITTED BY:

Curtis Staniforth, Manager of Budgets and Revenue

Concurrence:

• Michael Dillabaugh, CPA, CA, Director of Finance
• Melisa Miles, Manager of Legislative Services
• Donna Petrie, Senior Manager of Communications & Economic Development
• Leah Stohmann, RPP, MCIP, Director of Community Planning and Development
• Katelyn Balzer, P.Eng., Director of Engineering and Public Works
• Marie Watmough, Director of Legislative & Protective Services
• Braden Hutchins, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer

Attachments:

• Attachment 1: 2026 Budget Survey Response Report