Lake Forest may adopt a local business preference ordinance

The Lake Forest City Council tonight may approve an ordinance which would give an advantage to local businesses interested in bidding on city contracts.

City Senior Communications and Marketing Analyst Jonathan Volzke says the ordinance calls for giving a five percent advantage in price for local companies bidding on contracts for materials, supplies and equipment.

He says currently, the City Council generally accepts the lowest bidder for contracts, but under the ordinance, local businesses would be considered up to five percent higher than the lowest bidder. He says local means, a physical business in the city, not a Post Office address.

Volzke says the ordinance’s main focus is to support local businesses which in turn adds to the city’s economy which benefits residents.

Tonight’s City Council meeting begins at 6:30.