Langley council authorizes first reading of property tax levy measure after lengthy debate

The Langley City Council on July 6 authorized the first reading of an ordinance to submit a property‑tax levy‑lid lift to the November 3, 2026 ballot after an extended public hearing and a round‑robin of council positions on a range of proposed dollar amounts.

Mayor Heidi Horstman framed the discussion with a fiscal overview, saying she had spent "the last 2.5 years digging into the city's financial position" and warning that the city is vulnerable to further shocks. She said litigation costs have been material — "one suit has consumed $80,000 of the city's general fund balance" — and that without new revenue the city risks drawing down reserves and cutting services. Council members then discussed recommended scenarios: low, medium and high lifts, with numbers variously described in staff packets and member spreadsheets. Several council members characterized amounts in the $350,000–$430,000 range as plausible; one motion cited a total levy amount of $848,448 and a proposed levy rate of 1.74131 per $1,000 assessed value as the figure to submit on the first reading.

Members debated tradeoffs including senior/disabled property‑tax exemptions (noting a state/county exemption threshold change for 2027), staffing (whether to fund a 0.5 or full‑time city administrator), vehicle and equipment replacements, and emergency preparedness. Public commenter Rose Hughes urged the council not to "lowball" the ask and to clearly communicate the plan to voters. Following the hearing and discussion, a council member moved to authorize the first reading of the levy ordinance and the motion passed on a voice vote.