With a unanimous vote, the Langley City Council decided this week to establish a transportation benefit district as a way to collect more revenue.

The new district, which was recommended by the city’s citizen-led Finance and Personnel Legislative Commission, would enact a 0.1% sales tax to help fund the cost of electricity for streetlights and for matching funds for transportation grants. In Langley’s case, this would generate $51,648 annually based on 2024 projected eligible sales.

With little fanfare, the city council approved a second reading of the ordinance Monday night. The city council will serve as the district’s governing board.

The first meeting of the transportation benefit district is scheduled for 5 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 13. The sole item on the agenda, which can be found on the city’s website, is to establish the new sales tax.

At future meetings, the city council must approve another ordinance that assumes the powers of the new district, meaning that it will cease to be a separate legal entity and no longer requires separate meetings. This action will consolidate meetings and financial reporting.