Image: Nefarious out-of-town General Fund carpetbaggers making off with our money.
When Walmart said they would use vendors within a 90 mile radius to expand their store it made me wonder how that stacks up with the City of Chico's use of local businesses. This is a difficult thing to measure.
You can't get a list of vendors from the City. I had several conversations with the late Richard Ek about how to determine how much the city pays for consulting services. His attempt ended with him manually going through the city's "check book" and trying to identify payments to businesses. That was an impossible task. Before his death Ek wrote a story in the CNR about how the Finance Department doesn't track expenditures for outside consulting. I've always wondered if there was a way to estimate that activity that didn't mirror Ek's unproductive attempt.
When the city enters into a contractual relationship with with businesses or entities they often require insurance to be on file. I came across a list of the insureds. The list has 430 businesses/entities listed. 55% of those listed have Chico addresses. Of those 55% many include non-profits and local businesses like Scrappy Dog and taxi cabs. These locals entities must maintain a level of insurance in order to qualify for a license to do business in Chico or to receive public funding. They are not necessarily "doing business" with the city.
The remaining 192 entries are businesses that the city requires have insurance on file that are not located in Chico.
Now, the city does not require insurance for all businesses that it uses as vendors. But they would require insurance for construction firms, or consultants. An example is PMC who is working on our General Plan update. I think the list of insureds the city maintains is probably a good proxy for how many out-of-town vendors they use.
45% of those on file are not located in Chico. If you remove non-profits, cabs, and others non-vendors from the list of Chico based insureds the total of out-of-towners gets close to 50% and may exceed it.
When you hear about buying local from elected officials there seems to be a bit of hypocrisy going on. The taxpayer funded city is likley engaged in purchasing close to half of its services from out-of-town vendors.
Here's the list of out-of-towners (Note: There's no indication that all of these vendors are currently being paid, or that all are paid out of our General Fund, many may be paid from RDA or other funds. In fact, some may not be vendors at all, but all have some relation to the city or its licensing programs.).
| Insured |
City/State/Zip |
| Martinaire Partners, LP |
Addison, TX 75001 |
| MACTEC Engineering & Consulting |
Alpharetta, GA 30009 |
| Systems Abatement Corporation |
Anderson, CA 96007 |
| Wards Concrete, Inc |
Anderson, CA 96007 |
| Nella Oil Co LLC |
Auburn, CA 95602 |
| KP Research Services |
Auburn, CA 95603 |
| Jurin Construction, Inc. |
Bella Vista, CA 96008 |
| Design Community & Environment |
Berkeley, CA 94709 |
| Ameriflight, LLC |
Burbank, CA 91505 |
| Questica, Inc |
Burlington, Ontario L7N 3T1 |
| Wolfe, Matthew |
Butte Valley, CA 95965 |
| Precision Seeding |
Corning, CA 96021 |
| Abel, Jason - Construction, Inc. |
Corning, CA 96021 |
| Walberg Equipment |
Corning, CA 96021 |
| All Star Auto Recycling, Inc. |
Corning, CA 96021 |
| Sweet Cottage |
Corning, CA 96021 |
| Hot Dog Blvd |
Corning, CA 96021 |
| Brown, Mike - Electric Co |
Cotati, CA 94931 |
| M S Tedesco Construction |
Cottonwood, CA 96022 |
| Websoft Developers Inc |
Davis, Ca 95616 |
| Websoft Developers, Inc. |
Davis, CA 95618-6801 |
| JRP Historical Consulting LLC |
Davis, CA 95618-4891 |
| HDL Coren & Cone |
Diamond Bar, CA 91765 |
| Pacific States Environmental Contractors, Inc |
Dublin, CA 94568 |
| Good Doggys |
Dublin, CA 94568 |
| Fish Window Cleaning |
Durham, CA 95938 |
| Taxi Dave |
Durham, CA 95938 |
| Johnny on the Spot Portable Toilets |
Durham, CA 95938 |
| Chico Certified Farmers Market |
Durham, CA 95938 |
| Forensic Nurses of Northern CA |
Durham, CA 95938 |
| Cooper's Landscaping |
Durham, CA 95938 |
| EMKO Environmental, Inc. |
El Dorado Hills, CA 95762 |
| Centerline Striping Co Inc |
Elk Grove, CA 95624 |
| Ratcliff Architects |
Emeryville, CA 94608 |
| Bay Area Economics |
Emeryville, CA 94608 |
| Taylor Systems Engineering, Inc |
Fair Oaks, CA 95628 |
| ITT Water & Wastewater USA, Inc. |
Fairfield, Ca 94534 |
| Verizon Wireless |
Folsom, CA 95630 |
| Streaminders |
Forest Ranch, CA 95942 |
| Carollo Engineers, P.C. |
Fountain Valley, CA 92708 |
| West Air, Inc. |
Fresno, CA 93727 |
| Bidwell Park Riding Stable |
Gerber, CA 96035 |
| JM Environmental, Inc |
Granite Bay, CA 95746 |
| Bragg, Gregory & Associates, Inc. |
Granite Bay, CA 95746-2216 |
| Vector Engineering, Inc |
Grass Valley, CA 95945 |
| Godbe Communications |
Half Moon Bay, Ca 94019 |
| Telstar Instruments, Inc. |
Hanford, CA 93230 |
| Arborguard, Inc. |
Hayward, CA 95945 |
| American Aerial Surveys, Inc |
Ione, CA 95640 |
| Bradley, William F. |
Lincoln, CA 95648-1524 |
| RG Ice Cream |
Live Oak, CA 95953 |
| Eaton Electrical, Inc |
Livermore, CA 94551 |
| Lee, Andrew L |
Lodi, CA 95241 |
| Overland Pacific & Cutler, Inc |
Long Beach, CA 90802 |
| Sierra Striping, Inc |
Loomis, CA 95650 |
| Brandley, Reinard |
Loomis, CA 95650-8004 |
| Dobrich Septic Service |
Magalia, CA 95954 |
| Gleason, Ed - DBA Feather River Construction |
Magalia, CA 95954-0296 |
| Lassen Design |
Manton, CA 96059 |
| Thomas, F.D. |
Medford, Oregon 97501 |
| TransCor America, LLC |
Nashville, Tennessee 37215 |
| Holdrege & Kull Consulting |
Nevada City, Ca 95959 |
| Republic ITS |
Novato, CA 94949-5699 |
| Lew Edwards Group |
Oakland, CA 94618 |
| Elite Universal Security |
Olivehurst, CA 95961 |
| HDR Engineering, Inc. |
Omaha, NE 68114-4049 |
| Harrell & Company Advisors LLC |
Orange, CA 92868 |
| Upstate Construction |
Orland, CA 95963 |
| Butte Glenn Community College District |
Oroville, CA 95965 |
| Community Action Agency of Butte County |
Oroville, CA 95965 |
| Butte County Office of Education |
Oroville, CA 95965 |
| North State Diving, Inc. |
Oroville, CA 95965 |
| Norcal Waste Systems |
Oroville, CA 95965 |
| Martin Crane & Rigging, Inc |
Oroville, CA 95965 |
| County of Butte |
Oroville, CA 95965-3380 |
| Watkins Plumbing |
Oroville, CA 95966 |
| Avery's Vending |
Oroville, CA 95966 |
| George Roofing |
Oroville, CA 95966 |
| Ostendorf Electric, Inc |
Oroville, CA 95966 |
| Butte Cab Company |
Oroville, CA 95965 |
| Butte County Library System |
Oroville, CA 95965-3380 |
| Chico Airport Vending |
Oroville, CA 95966 |
| Shasta Control Company, Inc. |
Palo Cedro, CA 96073 |
| Miller Electric |
Paradise, CA 95967 |
| Alpine Engineering |
Paradise, CA 95967 |
| Godman Ranch Investment Partnership |
Paradise, CA 95969 |
| Carnival Catering |
Paradise, CA 95969 |
| Hunters Pest Control |
Paradise, CA 95969 |
| Long, Keith F. - Architect |
Paradise, CA 95969 |
| Skyway Towing |
Paradise, CA 95969-5629 |
| Tom's Tree Service |
Paradise, CA 95967 |
| Anderson Bros., Corp |
Paradise, CA 95969 |
| Wheeler Construction, William C. |
Paradise, CA 95969 |
| Sierra Tree Care |
Paradise, CA 95973 |
| Construction Testing Services |
Pleasanton, CA 94588 |
| Bureau Veritas North America, Inc. |
Pleasanton, CA 94588 |
| Cooper, Vali & Associates |
Point Richmond, CA 94801 |
| Vali Cooper & Associates Inc |
Point Richmond, CA 94801 |
| Acco Engineered Systems, Inc. |
Rancho Cordova, CA 95742 |
| Pizza Guys |
Rancho Cordova, CA 95742 |
| PJB Consultants |
Red Bluff, CA 96080 |
| Omni Pipelines, Inc. |
Red Bluff, CA 96080-0009 |
| Davys & Heating & Air Conditioning |
Red Bluff, CA 96080 |
| Schmidt Superior Classics |
Redding, CA 96001 |
| Root Tamers |
Redding, CA 96001 |
| Northern Valley Catholic Social Services |
Redding, CA 96001 |
| Accredited Certification Associates, LLC |
Redding, CA 96002 |
| Converse Construction, Inc |
Redding, CA 96049 |
| Nystrom & Company, LLC |
Redding, CA 96099-0700 |
| Peerless Building Maintenance Co. |
Redding, CA 96002 |
| Cox & Cox Construction, Inc. |
Redding, CA 96099 |
| Broadbent & Associates, Inc |
Reno, NV 89502 |
| Alfa Laval Inc |
Richmond, VA 23231 |
| Court Services, Inc |
Riverside, CA 92507-000 |
| Rotork Controls, Inc |
Rochester, New York 14626 |
| Foothill Associates Environmental Consultants |
Rockliln, CA 95765 |
| Restoration Resources |
Rocklin, CA 95765 |
| Trane |
Rocklin, CA 95677 |
| Custom Benefit Administrators |
Rocklin, CA 95677 |
| URS Corporation |
Roseville, CA 95661 |
| Johnson Controls, Inc |
Roseville, CA 95678 |
| Legal Services of Northern CA |
Sacramento, CA 95814 |
| EDAW, Inc. |
Sacramento, CA 95814 |
| Mogavero Notestine Associates, Inc |
Sacramento, CA 95814-4217 |
| Macias Consulting Group |
Sacramento, CA 95816 |
| Wood Rodgers, Inc |
Sacramento, Ca 95816-3342 |
| Jones & Stokes Associates Inc. |
Sacramento, CA 95818 |
| Tesco Controls, Inc. |
Sacramento, CA 95823 |
| Performance Excavators, Inc. |
Sacramento, CA 95826 |
| Hankin Specialty Equipment, Inc. |
Sacramento, CA 95826 |
| Royal Electric Company |
Sacramento, CA 95828 |
| AmeriPride Uniform Services |
Sacramento, CA 95828 |
| Heaps, Richard A. Electrical Contractor, Inc. |
Sacramento, CA 95829 |
| Cons, Wolford |
Sacramento, CA 95831 |
| Gateway Pacific Contractors, Inc |
Sacramento, CA 95832 |
| Nolte Associates, Inc. |
Sacramento, CA 95833 |
| All Weather Inc |
Sacramento, CA 95834 |
| Bender Rosenthal Inc |
Sacramento, Ca 95841 |
| Richardson & Company CPA |
Sacramento, CA 95821 |
| Pacific Municipal Consultants, Inc. |
Sacramento, CA 95827 |
| Quincy Engineering, Inc |
Sacramento, CA 95827 |
| Fallen Leaf Tree Service, Inc |
Sacramento, CA 95828 |
| ValleyCrest Tree Care Services |
Sacramento, CA 95828 |
| Wohlford Consulting |
Sacramento, CA 95831 |
| LPA Sacramento, Inc |
Sacramento, CA 95833-2938 |
| Clear Connection Corporation |
Sacramento, CA 95834 |
| Raney Planning & Management |
Sacramento, CA 95834 |
| Spectrum Consultants, Inc |
San Diego, CA 92112 |
| Kennedy/Jenks Consultants |
San Francisco, CA 94107 |
| Seifel Consulting Inc |
San Francisco, CA 94109 |
| PG&E |
San Francisco, CA 94177 |
| ZG Planning & Design |
San Francisco, CA 94107 |
| Thomas, Mark and Co., Inc |
San Jose, CA 95112 |
| California Water Service Group |
San Jose, CA 95112 |
| Keenology Corporation |
San Jose, CA 95117 |
| Emerson Process Management |
San Jose, CA 95131 |
| Star Time Building Maintenance Inc. |
San Jose, CA 95157 |
| Rogers, Glen |
San Jose, CA 95116 |
| Peterson Tractor Company |
San Leandro, CA 94577 |
| Bartel-Associates, LLC |
San Mateo, CA 94402 |
| Caminar DBA - Community Living Center |
San Mateo, CA 94403 |
| Utility Systems Science Software Inc |
Santa Ana, CA 92705 |
| Chronic Tacos Chico LLC |
Santa Ana, CA 92705 |
| North Valley Plaza Associates c/o The Macerich Co |
Santa Monica, CA 90401 |
| Whitlock & Weinberger Transportation |
Santa Rosa, CA 95401 |
| Conner, Mitchell S - Architects |
Santa Rosa, CA 95401 |
| Daube, Linda L. |
Santa Rosa, CA 95401 |
| ArchiLOGIX |
Santa Rosa, CA 95404 |
| Motorola Inc |
Schaumburg, Illinois 60196 |
| Starbucks Corporation |
Seattle, WA 98124-1067 |
| Roundabouts and Traffic Engineering |
Sedona, AZ 86351 |
| American Tower Company |
Shelby, Ohio 44875 |
| Pacific Rim Design and Development |
Shingletown, CA 96088 |
| Condor Earth Technologies, Inc |
Sonora, CA 95370 |
| Bay City Boiler & Engineering Co |
South San Francisco, CA 94080 |
| SkyWest Airlines |
St. George, UT 84790 |
| MuniFinancial |
Temecula, CA 92590 |
| Willdan Financial Services |
Temecula, CA 92590 |
| Tax Compliance Services |
Thousand Oaks, CA 91359 |
| I K Consulting, LLC |
Tucson, Arizona 85730-7661 |
| Turbo Data Systems, Inc. |
Tustin, CA 92780 |
| Brown and Caldwell |
Walnut Creek, CA 94596-3864 |
| Fehr & Peers |
Walnut Creek, CA 94596 |
| RMC Water and Environment |
Walnut Creek, CA 94596 |
| Granite Construction Company |
Watsonville, CA 95077 |
| Thyssenkrupp Elevator Corporation |
West Sacramento, CA 95606-1503 |
| Mercy Housing California |
West Sacramento, CA 95691 |
| Tom's House of Hydraulics |
West Sacramento, CA 95691 |
| Valley Slurry Seal Company |
West Sacramento, CA 95691 |
| Richard's Tree Service, Inc |
Yuba City, CA 95991 |
| Fletcher's Plumbing & Contracting, Inc. |
Yuba City, CA 95991 |
| Housing Authority of the County of Sutter |
Yuba City, CA 95992 |
| Technique Communications |
Yuba City, CA 95993 |
|
About Me: Fasten your seatbelts for an exhilarating trip through Chico's public policy; I guarantee it's marginally better than public access TV.
I know the people who run the Sweet Cottage. Delicious pies!! They are at the Farmers Market every saturday. They are definitely worth doing business with.
Joy,
You should be ashamed purchasing pies from out-of-towners. Unless they are carting the goods in on horsies they are creating traffic and pollution. Obviously you should be shopping at Upper Crust. They even grind their own flour over at the creek. It's made from star thistle pulled from Bidwell Park. Very local.
Lon
Damn, I love her pumpkin pie. And the candied walnuts. But according to the list, even going to the Farmers Market is bad.
Does it help that they made the "cottages" that they sell their stuff from?
And now the cat is asleep and snoring.
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
Hold on there, buckaroo; you need to get your facts straight. I happen to work for one of those "nefarious...out of town Carpetbaggers" as you so unfairly label us. Here are some facts you should know:
1) More than half our employees live in Chico.
2) We rent storage space in Chico.
3) We have our fleet vehicles serviced in Chico.
4) We buy our construction materials in Chico (hundreds of thousands of dollars worth)
5) We go out to eat and go shopping and go for entertainment in Chico.
So there! And by the way, we had nothing to do with Walmart. And furthermore, if an out-of-town business was involved with Walmart or any other building project, it was because they were interested enough, competitive enough, had enough manpower, and had the right skill set to
successfully bid the job. Last time I checked, this was still America and Chico was still a free, open marketplace.
Ginger,
Well I hope you keep your nefarious activities to a minimum. I'll be keeping an eye on you, and by "you" I mean all of those nefarious carpetbaggers listed above.
Obviously skills, pricing, capacity, and competition are much less important than zip code in Chico.
Lon