DocumentsAppendixMar 17, 2026Pages 8–20
Attachment 1: 2026 Budget Survey - SURVEY RESPONSE REPORT (Granicus)
Detailed survey response report for the City of Langford 2026 budget survey (Feb 11–Mar 4, 2026) including rankings, multiple-choice results, charts and numeric response counts.
Key facts
- Survey period: 11 February 2026 - 04 March 2026
- Total responses: 383 (noted elsewhere as 383; some pages indicate 381/382/383 depending on question optionality)
- Key Q results: 53.3% said 'No' to aligning Langford taxes with other BC communities (Q2)
- 33.9% support tax increases to improve services; 36% prefer increases only to maintain service levels (Q3)
- Top priorities: Asset management (227), Road and sidewalk maintenance (205), Protective services (200) (Q5)
2026 Budget Survey — SURVEY RESPONSE REPORT
Survey period: 11 February 2026 - 04 March 2026
Project name: 2026 City of Langford Budget
Q1 — Which of the following principles should guide the City's budget decisions?
Rank in order of priority, with 1 being your highest priority and 6 being your lowest priority.
| Option | Avg. Rank |
|---|---|
| Investing in long-term infrastructure | 2.84 |
| Keeping property taxes as low as possible | 3.03 |
| Maintaining current service levels | 3.25 |
| Enhancing quality of life | 3.47 |
| Supporting economic growth and development | 3.95 |
| Environmental sustainability | 4.40 |
Optional question (381 response(s), 2 skipped)
Question type: Ranking Question
Q2 — Compared to a representative house within the CRD, and similar-sized communities across BC, Langford’s municipal taxes are among the lowest. Should Langford’s taxes be adjusted to align with other BC communities to help ensure comparable service levels are provided? Please see the table below for further information. (Select one)
| Response | Count | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | 85 | 22.3% |
| No | 203 | 53.3% |
| Unsure/Need more information | 93 | 24.4% |
Optional question (381 response(s), 2 skipped)
Question type: Radio Button Question
Q3 — Property taxes generally increase just to maintain existing service levels (due to inflation, growth, legislative changes, and downloading from other levels of governments). Do you support a property tax increase to improve service levels in addition to what is needed to maintain existing service levels? (Select one)
| Response | Count | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Yes, I support a property tax increase to improve service levels | 129 | 33.9% |
| No, I prefer property taxes to only increase to maintain existing service levels | 137 | 36.0% |
| No, I prefer property taxes not increase, even if it means reducing services | 102 | 26.8% |
| Not sure | 13 | 3.4% |
Optional question (381 response(s), 2 skipped)
Question type: Radio Button Question
Q4 — How satisfied are you with the current level of City services? (Select one)
| Response | Count | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Very satisfied | 30 | 7.9% |
| Satisfied | 121 | 31.8% |
| Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied | 147 | 38.7% |
| Dissatisfied | 61 | 16.1% |
| Very dissatisfied | 21 | 5.5% |
Optional question (380 response(s), 3 skipped)
Question type: Radio Button Question
Q5 — Which services or projects should receive priority for additional funding? (Select all that apply)
| Option | Count |
|---|---|
| Active transportation (bike lanes, sidewalks, pathways) | 116 |
| Affordable housing initiatives | 71 |
| Arts, culture, and community events (public art, cultural festivals) | 66 |
| Asset management (repairs, maintenance, replacement of City infrastructure) | 227 |
| Beautification projects (decorative lighting, landscaping, gathering spaces) | 56 |
| Climate action and environmental initiatives (tree planting, GHG reduction) | 114 |
| Community services (library, community gardens, grants in aid) | 100 |
| Economic development (business support, workshops/training, business attraction) | 75 |
| Protective services (police, fire, bylaw, emergency preparedness) | 205 |
| Recreation facilities | 132 |
| Road and sidewalk maintenance or additions | 200 |
| Nothing, I do not want property taxes to increase | 67 |
| Not sure, I need more information | 6 |
Optional question (382 response(s), 1 skipped)
Question type: Checkbox Question
Q6 — To achieve a lower tax rate in 2026, which actions would you support? (Select all that apply)
| Option | Count |
|---|---|
| Reduce services or programs (public safety, landscaping, community events) | 85 |
| Postpone capital projects (roads, sidewalks, parks) | 67 |
| Change the per capita ratio of police officers to population (“cop to pop”) to hire fewer additional police officers | 96 |
| Phase in the hiring of additional staff at City Hall | 178 |
| Proactively advocate to stop the downloading of services from other levels of government | 190 |
| Delay debt repayment on internal borrowing to future years, recognizing this will increase property taxes in future years. | 26 |
| Direct staff to identify further reductions within operating budgets (service levels and long-term planning may be impacted) | 179 |
| I don’t support any of these actions | 37 |
| Not sure, I need more information | 41 |
Optional question (382 response(s), 1 skipped)
Question type: Checkbox Question
Q7 — At the Committee of the Whole meeting on February 10, 2026, staff presented possible property tax reduction options to reduce the 2026 property tax increase to: 11%, 9%, 6%, and 3%. Each option would affect service levels and future tax increases differently, ranging from significant to minor impacts. Considering this information, which reduction would you support? For more details on the proposed changes, you can watch the Committee meeting video. A report with further information can be found here.
| Option | Count | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| An 11% increase which requires a reduction of an estimated 16 budget items valued at $2,569,110 | 45 | 11.8% |
| A 9% increase which requires a reduction of an estimated 34 budget items valued at $3,813,235 | 53 | 13.9% |
| A 6% increase which requires a reduction of an estimated 46 budget items valued at $5,679,415 | 43 | 11.3% |
| A 3% increase which requires a reduction of an estimated 53 budget items valued at $7,545,600 | 83 | 21.8% |
| I don’t support any of these actions | 37 | 9.7% |
| I support the 15.13% tax increase as proposed | 61 | 16.0% |
| Not sure, I need more information | 59 | 15.5% |
Optional question (381 response(s), 2 skipped)
Question type: Radio Button Question
Q8 — If the City needs to increase revenue to offset rising costs, how should this be achieved? (Select your top two)
| Option | Count |
|---|---|
| Increase existing permit fees (e.g., building permits) | 244 |
| Change business license fees from perpetual to annual | 140 |
| Increase user fees (e.g., recreation fees) | 54 |
| Increase property taxes | 45 |
| Introduce new fees (e.g., paid parking) | 65 |
| I do not want the City to increase any fees | 64 |
| Not sure, I need more information | 32 |
Optional question (383 response(s), 0 skipped)
Question type: Checkbox Question
Q9 — Each year, the City invests in capital projects that are essential to maintaining core public services and existing infrastructure, such as roads, utilities, and public facilities. In addition to these required investments, the City may also pursue new capital projects that enhance quality of life, address emerging community needs, or introduce new public amenities. Please select up to three areas that you would like the City to prioritize funding for future capital projects. (Select your top three):
| Option | Count |
|---|---|
| Transportation/Active Transportation Infrastructure | 201 |
| Acquisition or improvement of New Parks and Trails | 103 |
| Police and Community Safety Equipment/Infrastructure | 175 |
| Improvements to Recreation Facilities | 81 |
| Major Projects (community amenity buildings) | 61 |
| Beautification/Way Finding/Placemaking Initiatives | 26 |
| General Government Systems Improvements to Maintain/Create Corporate Efficiencies | 69 |
| Do not take on any Capital Projects, Focus on Internal Debt Repayment | 134 |
| Unsure / Need more information | 24 |
Optional question (382 response(s), 1 skipped)
Question type: Checkbox Question
Page 8–20
Q10 — How informed do you feel about the City’s budget process?
| Response | Count | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Very informed | 99 | 25.9% |
| Somewhat informed, but I’d like more information | 215 | 56.3% |
| Not informed | 68 | 17.8% |
Optional question (382 response(s), 1 skipped)
Question type: Radio Button Question
Q11 — What is the best way for the City to share budget information with you? (Select all that apply)
| Option | Count |
|---|---|
| Other (please specify) | 32 |
| City of Langford website (Langford.ca) | 258 |
| LetsChatLangford.ca | 259 |
| Social media | 157 |
| Public meetings | 108 |
| Budget open house | 102 |
| Online seminar | 61 |
Optional question (380 response(s), 3 skipped)
Question type: Checkbox Question
Page 8–20
Extracted from: Agenda(135 pages total)