LA HABRA : Favoring Local Firms for Contracts Suggested
A businessman has asked the City Council to adopt a policy that would give preferential treatment to local businesses when awarding city contracts.
“Why do business with businesses that don’t pay for a city business license or pay sales tax here?” asked Anton Groot, a former city councilman.
Groot suggested that the city create a purchasing department using current employees, develop vendor lists of local businesses interested in bidding on city business and grant a credit to local businesses bidding on city projects.
Groot, whose wife owns a trophy store, said the city routinely buys items that are sold by local merchants from businesses in other cities.
City Councilman Mark Schwing asked City Manager Arthur C. Simonian and City Atty. Leonard Hampel to report back to the council on Groot’s suggestions at the next meeting of the council.
“He has a good point,” Schwing said. The city should “give priority to local businesses if they are competitive.”
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