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Payson resident urges council to prioritize local contractors and professionals to keep tax dollars in town
Summary
During call to the public, resident Charlie Sarafin urged the Town of Payson to give preference to local contractors, consultants and attorneys so tax dollars stay in the community and residents with local expertise are engaged on town projects.
At the April 9 Town of Payson meeting, resident Charlie Sarafin urged the council to prioritize hiring local contractors, consultants and professionals for town projects to retain public dollars in Payson.
Sarafin compared the idea to tariffs on the national level, saying local procurement keeps more money in the local economy. He said many contractors, consultants and attorneys working on town projects come from the Valley and that Payson has local professionals and retirees with expertise who could be tapped for projects. "When we identify a project before outsourcing and hiring from the preferred vendor list, let's talk to investigate whether there's a local solution," Sarafin said.
Sarafin suggested the council make clear it values local resources and consider hiring local counsel who would be required to live in Payson and be available at Town Hall. He framed the recommendation as a way to keep public dollars circulating in the local economy and to benefit from residents who have "skin in the game."
Ending
The council did not take action on procurement preferences during the April 9 meeting; the comment stands as a request the council could consider as it reviews contracting practices.
