WESTLAKE VILLAGE : Mayor Says Fiscal Policy Has Paid Off

Westlake Village Mayor Doug Yarrow is bullish about the future of his city.

“We’re in good shape, due to the fiscally conservative nature of the city, and forward thinking and planning,” he says.

That will be the gist of his message Nov. 15 when he delivers his State of the City address to the Westlake Village Chamber of Commerce.

Two years ago, say Yarrow and other city officials, the city had just $180,000 left in its reserve fund. Thanks to careful planning, city officials say, that figure could go as high as $500,000.

Officials, Yarrow said, are awaiting the outcome of a private audit for final figures.

“The handwriting was on the wall several years ago,” said city manager Ray Taylor, who was hired two years ago. “We were at a crossroads to either raise revenues, or cut back on costs, in as creative a way as we could, without severely impacting the services.

“The council has clearly embraced the second scenario,” Taylor said. “The council clearly deserves a great deal of credit for that leadership.”

The city, which has no utility tax and no business license tax, has managed to lure some key businesses. Dole Foods is expected to relocate its headquarters from Northern California and Florida to Westlake Village, a move that Yarrow says could bring 1,000 new jobs, depending on how many of the company’s current employees decide to transfer.

The luncheon, which costs $25, will be at the Hyatt Westlake Plaza, 880 S. Westlake Blvd. Reservations must be received by Wednesday.