Langley Councilman Jim Sundberg has voted in his last city meeting.

Sundberg, who served one four-year term before calling it quits this year, took part in his final city council meeting Monday, Dec. 21. He was praised for his knowledge of the city’s finances and budget process, and his tenure as the city’s representative on the Island Transit board of directors.

“It’s a tremendous loss,” said Councilman Bruce Allen of Sundberg. Allen was tapped as Sundberg’s replacement on the transit board, and will officially take over when his second term begins in January.

“He may be leaving the council seat, but I’m going to talk to him about the financials a lot,” Allen added.

Sundberg was one of the only voices of support for keeping Island Transit fare free once several board members were replaced. A financial fiasco put Island Transit on its heels and forced route cuts and layoffs, which led to all of the board members but Sundberg being replaced in the wake of public pressure.

Langley, however, stood pat behind Sundberg for his institutional knowledge.

Sundberg was given a wooden base with a plaque on it that reads, “You made a difference.” Atop the base is a glass float made by Callahan’s Firehouse.

“A reminder that he kept us afloat,” Mayor Fred McCarthy said.

Sundberg’s position was won in an uncontested election by Ursula Shoudy. She will swear in at the Jan. 4 meeting.

At the end of the recent meeting, Sundberg played a short slide show of the years he served with McCarthy. In it were photos from the opening ceremony of the redesigned Second Street, the opening of the expanded South Whidbey Harbor at Langley, and opening of the Langley Whale Center, among other events and activities.