Put Lake Forest First

By Jim Gardner

The City spends less than 2% of our $35,000,000 annual budget on people and businesses in our City. In these tough economic times that has to change.

From 2010 to 2012 we consistently spent about 5% of the budget on people and businesses in Lake Forest, but for the past 2 years, the % has slipped to less than 2%. That means that out of the $35,000,000 we spend, less than $1,000,000 is spent here.

Are there no auditors in Lake Forest? Do we have no engineers? Are our IT professionals unworthy of city dollars?

We purchase business cards, copier supplies and services from Costa Mesa, Fullerton, Newport Beach, Irvine, and even out of state.

We hire entertainers from Costa Mesa, Anaheim, Tustin, Buena Park, and Los Angeles.

We hire Instructors from Irvine, RSM, Santa Ana, Mission Viejo, and Laguna Hills.

Is there no one in Lake Forest who can teach tennis, painting, dance, dog obedience, or agility training?

I'm not saying that just because you live in Lake Forest the city should hire you. We want the city to use the best people at the best possible price. But when you look at these figures, you've got to wonder why more city money isn't spent in the city.

If you elect me to the Council I will establish a "Put Lake Forest First" program and see that before a single dollar is spent by the City, residents and businesses in our City are considered. I will create a forum where residents and businesses in our City can see what types of business opportunities are available, and before we award a contract I will ask "Is there someone in this city who can provide a comparable service?"