How Langley City Council Has Invested Into the Community Since 2017

In 2017, I created a simple infographic on how property taxes, fees, and other revenue sources fund Langley City's operations and projects. You can read that older post to learn more.

How revenue the City receives is used. Select infographic to enlarge.

We must increase property tax every year to maintain the status quo of operations. If you live in the strata, you will be familiar with this as it is like your strata fees. This "status quo" usually represents between half and three-quarters of the annual property tax increase. Inflation and salaries are the main drivers of this increase. As our community grows and needs increase, we must make additional investments.

As I've noted previously, I delivered a "State of the City" address for Langley City at the Greater Langley Chamber of Commerce dinner a few weeks ago.

As part of my preparation, I looked at how Langley City Council has been investing in our community on behalf of Langley City taxpayers. The following is a list of the increases in investments we've made since 2017 (the first year I was meaningfully a part of the budget decision process.)

2017
Hiring a Bylaw Officer
Joining eComm First Responder Enhanced Radio System
Hiring a New Plan Checker and Building Inspector
Increasing Maintainance of Parks, Boulevards and Trails
Increasing Maintenance of Timms Community Centre
Increasing Contributions to Infrastructure Reserves

2018
Hiring a Building Inspector
Increasing City-Owned Building Maintenance
Increasing Recreation Programming at Timms Community Centre

2019
Hiring a Bylaw Officer
Hiring 3 Firefighters
Hiring a Planning Assitant
Increasing Recreation Programming
Enhancing Street Tree Maintenance
Enhancing Park Maintenance
Increasing Contributions to Infrastructure Reserves

2020
Increasing Playground Maintenance
Increasing Park and Trail Maintenance
Increasing Contributions to Infrastructure Reserves

2021
Increasing Brydon Park Maintenance as New Dog Park Opened
Adding Annual Repayment for $7.5 Million Loan to Support SkyTrain and Infrastructure

2022
Enhanacing Clerical Support
Hiring IT Support Person
Increasing Funding to Support Encampment Cleanup

2023
Hiring a Social Planner to Address Social Challenges
Hiring an HR Assitant
Hiring 2 Firefighters
Hiring a Fire Prevention Officer
Increasing Recreation Programming
Increasing Urban Forest Maintenance
Increasing Park Maintenance
Enhancing Public Engagement
Enhancing Community Day and Magic of Christmas Events
Increasing Contributions to Infrastructure Reserves
Adding Annual Repayment for $15 Million Loan to Support SkyTrain and Infrastructure

2024
Hiring 3 RCMP Members
Hiring 3 Firefighters
Starting the Langley City Emergency Program
Hiring a Bylaw Officer
Enhancing Community Day and Magic of Christmas Events
Increasing Contributions to Infrastructure Reserves