Our summary
Would cut outside professional services by at least $500,000 and pause non-emergency studies; targets about $2 million in recurring savings or cost avoidance in the first budget cycle.
“I would pause new non-emergency consulting studies and reduce outside professional-services spending by at least $500,000 while the City inventories current contracts, duplicate studies and unused software.”
Opening excerpt · written response. Full answer below.
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“I would pause new non-emergency consulting studies and reduce outside professional-services spending by at least $500,000 while the City inventories current contracts, duplicate studies and unused software. The tradeoff is that some discretionary studies and lower-priority initiatives would take longer. Police, fire, lifeguards, wildfire work and essential maintenance would be protected. This is one part of my larger first-budget-cycle goal of identifying approximately $2 million in recurring savings or cost avoidance through contract review, vacancy control, project prioritization and monthly budget-to-actual management.”
Written response · answer only
Fiscal responsibility · forum statement
“I don't support tax increases or bond indebtedness to fund operating deficits.”
Village Laguna forum · 1:53:28 · separate from the written questionnaire
Declined · intentionally keeping a low profile.
Our summary
Would pause the Ocean Avenue and Beach Street streetscape and target $2 million in consultant and outsourced-service savings in 2027, then roughly $500,000 annually for four years.
“I am not in support of an increased taxes on residents or small businesses. I would first postpone discretionary capital projects that are not essential to public safety or critical infrastructure.”
Opening excerpt · written response. Full answer below.
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“I am not in support of an increased taxes on residents or small businesses. I would first postpone discretionary capital projects that are not essential to public safety or critical infrastructure.
One example is the Ocean Avenue and Beach Street streetscape project. As of this writing, the project is paused but they are still moving forward on reviewing the intersection of Beach & Ocean for traffic calming. The final construction cost has not yet been established. I would pause it before committing additional construction dollars and reassess whether those funds are better directed toward storm drains, roads, sewer infrastructure, or other core needs.
We can look at making the Laguna Local more efficient, possible receiving funds from the school district to support the costs associated with students using the Laguna Local service to get home from school. I would set a goal of saving approximately $2 million on consultant and outsourced services in 2027, followed by additional reductions of roughly $500,000 per year over the next four years.
Before asking taxpayers for more, I believe the city should show that it has prioritized necessities over discretionary projects.”
Written response · answer only
Our summary
Would postpone approximately $500,000 in discretionary Ocean Avenue and Beach Street streetscape work while preserving safety and accessibility work.
“Before supporting a new tax or fee, I would propose postponing approximately $500,000 of discretionary Ocean Avenue and Beach Street streetscape work, subject to identifying what remains uncommitted.”
Opening excerpt · written response. Full answer below.
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“Before supporting a new tax or fee, I would propose postponing approximately $500,000 of discretionary Ocean Avenue and Beach Street streetscape work, subject to identifying what remains uncommitted. Residents would wait for some visual and pedestrian upgrades; I would preserve essential safety and accessibility work. I have urged Public Works to study Seal Beach’s Main Street tree planters(triple in size) and level sidewalks (no tripping hazards) before Laguna repeats designs that may create maintenance or trip hazards on Ocean and Beach development project.
I also want stronger financial oversight by staff with “accounting expertise” and a clearer review of project bids. If a first round of bids is unreasonable, the City should consider revising the scope and bidding again where practical.
A proper city audit committee needs to have at least one person with accounting background to operate correctly.”
Written response · answer only
Our summary
Would drop the proposed Caltrans Canyon takeover; did not provide an approximate savings amount or identify the benefit residents would forgo.
“Taking over the canyon from Caltrans should be dropped once and for all”
Opening excerpt · written response. Full answer below.
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“Taking over the canyon from Caltrans should be dropped once and for all”
Written response · answer only
No written response received.
