Ahead of the November general election, the Southern California News Group compiled a list of questions to pose to the candidates who wish to represent you. You can find the full questionnaire below.
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Name: Scott Miller
Age: 64
Current job title: Laguna Hills Traffic Commission Chairman
Incumbent: No
Other political positions held: Mayor, City of San Jacinto; City Council Member, City of San Jacinto (8 years); Chairman, Laguna Hills Traffic Commission; Regional leadership positions on Riverside County governmental commissions
City where you reside: Laguna Hills
Campaign website or social media: ScottMillerLagunaHills.com
How can the city best meet the demand and mandates for more housing, including at lower price points, while also preserving local control and the quality of life for existing neighborhoods and residents? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)
The city should meet its housing obligations through thoughtful, locally driven planning — not one-size-fits-all development. We should identify appropriate sites for new housing, encourage redevelopment of underused commercial properties where it makes sense, and support a range of housing options for seniors, young families, working professionals, and first-time buyers.
At the same time, new development must be supported by adequate roads, parking, public safety, utilities, schools, and other infrastructure. Housing policy should not come at the expense of existing neighborhoods or the quality of life residents worked hard to build.
The city should aggressively pursue every opportunity available under state law to preserve local decision-making, while working constructively with property owners and developers to create projects that fit the character and needs of Laguna Hills.
The goal should be responsible growth: meeting our legal obligations, expanding housing opportunities, protecting existing neighborhoods, and ensuring that development makes Laguna Hills stronger rather than simply more crowded.
How should the city balance rising costs, paying off debts, such as pension liabilities, and building reserves, all while meeting residents’ needs? Should a solution involve finding new revenue, economic development, trimming the budget, or something else entirely? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)
The city should balance rising costs by protecting essential services while maintaining strong financial discipline. Public safety, infrastructure, parks, and other core services residents depend on must remain priorities.
At the same time, Laguna Hills should continue addressing pension liabilities and other long-term obligations responsibly, while maintaining healthy reserves to protect the city during economic downturns or emergencies.
Before asking residents for additional taxes or fees, the city should first look for efficiencies, control unnecessary spending, and make sure existing revenues are being used effectively.
Economic development should also be a major part of the solution. Attracting and retaining quality businesses, revitalizing commercial areas, and strengthening the local economy can increase city revenues without increasing tax rates.
The best approach is a combination of responsible budgeting, economic growth, prudent debt management, and strong reserves. The goal should be to protect taxpayers while continuing to provide the high-quality services Laguna Hills residents expect.
The public expects transparency from public leaders in spending and governance. How can this be achieved? How can the city do better in this area? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)
Transparency starts with making government information easy for residents to find, understand, and question. City budgets, contracts, major expenditures, development agreements, and important policy decisions should be presented clearly and publicly before decisions are made—not after the fact.
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The city can do better by providing more understandable financial reporting, improving access to agendas and supporting documents, and clearly explaining how taxpayer dollars are being spent. Major projects and contracts should include clear cost information, timelines, and accountability for results.
Residents should also have meaningful opportunities to participate before major decisions are finalized. Public meetings should encourage discussion, questions should receive timely answers, and council members should explain the reasoning behind significant votes.
Transparency is more than simply complying with legal requirements. It means creating a culture in which residents can easily see what their government is doing, how decisions are made, and how their money is being managed. That builds trust, improves decision-making, and holds public officials accountable.
In your opinion, what is the biggest need your city faces, and how would you address it? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)
Laguna Hills’ greatest need is to stay focused on the fundamentals that directly affect residents’ quality of life.
• First, public safety and safe neighborhoods: Residents should feel secure in their homes, parks, streets, and shopping areas. Police and fire protection must remain a top priority, with the resources necessary to respond quickly and effectively.
• Second, economic development: Laguna Hills needs to attract and retain quality businesses, revitalize aging commercial areas, and strengthen the city’s tax base. A stronger local economy provides better shopping, dining, and services while generating revenue to support public safety and other city priorities without relying on higher taxes.
• Third, responsible management of the city’s future: We must maintain streets and infrastructure, protect parks and neighborhoods, manage development carefully, and continue making sound financial decisions.
My goal is straightforward: keep Laguna Hills safe, strengthen its economy, protect its quality of life, and ensure the city remains financially strong for the future.
Why would you make a good leader, and how would you represent the diverse communities of your city? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)
I would bring experience, accountability, and a strong commitment to serving every resident of Laguna Hills.
I have served as a mayor, city council member, regional leader, and currently as Chairman of the Laguna Hills Traffic Commission. That experience taught me that effective local leadership is not about partisan politics — it is about listening, solving problems, managing resources responsibly, and delivering results.
Laguna Hills is made up of residents with different backgrounds, priorities, ages, and perspectives. My responsibility would be to represent all of them fairly, whether they agree with me politically or not. Every resident deserves to be heard and treated with respect.
I believe good leadership means being accessible, transparent, prepared, and willing to make difficult decisions when necessary. I would focus on the issues that unite our community: safe neighborhoods, strong public safety, economic development, responsible growth, sound finances, and preserving the quality of life that makes Laguna Hills a great place to live.
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