Tough economic times call for smart strategic planning to ensure our local businesses survive and, hopefully, thrive.

At a recent Amador County Chamber of Commerce board meeting, reports were given on our local and state economy. Reports from the state show a $15 billion deficit attributing $7 billion to the current economy. Amador County is projecting a $3 million shortfall, which they claim is not as dire as predicted in a budget made up half of personnel costs. The city of Jackson reported that sales tax is down 33 percent.

For my part, I have blasted the county in the past for not shopping locally and purchasing goods and services outside the county. On the June 17 consent agenda I was pleased to see that the New Jackson Ford Mercury was awarded $11,831.82 for the purchase of a 2006 Ford E-250 for the sheriff's office. However, paying $75,493.66 to Dell for 64 computers and five laptops through the Western States Contracting Alliance left me depressed, especially since the approval waived the formal bidding process, not allowing local computer companies to compete with their best offer.

To be fair, the county may have gotten a great deal on the purchase. But I still believe that in current economic times, and really at any time, our strategy should be to purchase goods and services locally. I believe the local bidder preference system we have is flawed when considering larger purchases, the sales tax dollars generated, and the number of times these dollars could spin through our county.

It has been estimated that every dollar spent rolls through our county seven times. In other words, if the county makes a substantial purchase like these computers, the local owner may celebrate by providing his employees with bonuses or take the staff out to lunch. The restaurant owner takes in the windfall of this luncheon and decides to buy flowers for his or her significant other. It is a chain reaction that builds a stronger tax base, stronger business climate and a better future for all of us living in Amador County. And all of these local purchases, in turn, come back to the cities and the county in tax dollars they can utilize for a stronger combined future.

I sincerely hope that the county will consider revisiting local bidder preferences and consider utilizing local merchants on purchases. I personally believe larger purchases, say of $25,000 or more, should be shopped locally first. They also should be discussed or put out for bid so that local merchants, the friends and families of the people we share our lives with, can benefit from a system that is watching out for their best interests.

Perhaps the tone of my past articles regarding this subject - or the perception that I have it out for the board of supervisors - has diminished my overall goal. Simply stated, I believe the board of supervisors and county staff are trying very hard to build a better environment for all of us. I just disagree with these purchases being tossed to out-of-county businesses that are not investing or interested in a better Amador County. They are filling their pockets with the funds we could have seen go toward a stronger business environment, better schools, better roads and better public service. I also believe that it sets a bad example for all of us.

If we want a brighter future, it is going to be up to each of us to take care of one another. I don't see the federal government or the state doing Amador County any favors. They have their own issues. Our county and the cities that make up Amador County will assist us and do listen. But if we really want to step up and make them take notice, it is going to start with each of us making the choice to set the example and shop locally.

We also need to respectfully ask that our elected leaders follow our example and take notice when they don't.