The Township of Langley Budget Process

By LR Special Editor Michelle Sparrow

As a Homeowner and a mother of four, I have been approaching the Township budget process as I would with my own personal household budget. During this time of economic uncertainly, I like many others, have reassessed my own personal household budget. My husband and I have made choices, like putting off that family trip or a large reno to our home. We have done so because what is ultimately most important to our family is security, peace of mind, and the knowledge that we will make it through and be stronger for it.

I look at the Langley Township’s budget options and I am left thinking of what it would look like if it were a typical household’s budget. Let’s say for example that a typical household chose to budget in a similar fashion to Mayor Green’s finance committee’s recommendations. They take their expenses and income and come up with a “lean” budget, which they feel will be the best option for their family to get through the tough times. They trim that fat and only budget for current expenses, not leaving room for a surplus of savings or household improvements. They live this way for three years, feeling good that they have tightened the purse strings, and are living on less. As the years pass, they begin to notice home repairs that are mounting, but not having budget for that, they are forced to leave them for better times.

At the end of the three years they take stock of where they are now. They are stunned to find they have been left with a staggering amount of debt and have a house that is falling apart. They thought they had made the right choice, but what they were not aware of, was the real cost of living. Over the years their lean budget was actually carrying forward a large amount of debt each year. The repairs they had been putting off have also compounded, and the odd fix it jobs have now turned into major repairs. We can all look at this scenario and say, they did not make the right choices for their family. It does no good if they are not working with the true numbers. One needs to account for life’s “what if’s” and everyday repairs, and still come out ahead each year. Whether it is a household or a Municipal budget, we all play by the same rules. The Township is faced with the same challenges and responsibilities, as we the homeowners are, just on a much larger scale. We have to be responsible and have our eyes wide open to the reality of our financial situation.

It makes no sense to create a budget to live by that in all reality will only leave us with debt, a depleted savings account, and a long list of repairs. Mayor Green’s finance committee’s recommendation of less than 1% a year will leave us with a shortfall of $5,825,426 by 2011, all to keep as close to the promise of 0-0-0 as possible. I think each and every Township resident needs to look the true number of what a properly funded budget will cost your household each year. Is it $65, $100, $200 more a year per household?? We will have to wait and see the numbers, but it seems to me the best approach is to face things head on and plan for the reality.