Independent. Local. Accountable.
I’m Anil Patel, and I’m running for City Council in District 3 to keep Lake Forest safe, well-managed, and a great place for all of us to live, work, and raise our families.
Safe neighborhoods and strong policing
Fix traffic, improve safety, reduce congestion
Clean, beautiful neighborhoods, parks, and open space
Spend wisely, be transparent, and protect taxpayers
Balanced housing, protect neighborhoods and character
Listen, communicate, and deliver results
About Anil
I’ve proudly called Lake Forest home since 2008. I’m a husband, father, engineer, small business owner, and active community volunteer. I believe in listening first, working together, and putting Lake Forest residents before politics.
My goal is simple: practical solutions to real problems that improve our daily lives while protecting what makes Lake Forest such a wonderful place to live.
Read My Full Story
Thank you for your support!
This campaign is not affiliated with any political party.
Paid for by Anil Patel for Lake Forest City Council 2026 — District 3
FPPC ID: 1493848
Husband. Father. Engineer.
Small Business Owner.
Community Volunteer.
Proud Lake Forest Resident.
Since 2008, my family and I have been proud to call Lake Forest home. I’m committed to preserving what makes our city exceptional and preparing responsibly for the future.
My wife, Alka, and I have been married since 2003, and together we’ve built our lives here in Lake Forest.
Our daughter, Diya, is studying Global Health at UC San Diego, and our son, Dev, is a senior at Trabuco Hills High School.
Our 5-year-old Goldendoodle, Biscuits, keeps us active and brings so much joy to our home.
I received an undergraduate degree in Building Engineering and an MBA from UCLA. For the past 30 years, I’ve worked in sustainability on projects that reduce energy and operational costs for state and local governments, K–12 school districts, and colleges and universities.
Traffic & Parking Commissioner since February 2025, Assistant Scoutmaster with Troop 604, Civic Academy graduate, CERT volunteer, Volunteer in Parks, and active Chamber of Commerce participant.
My family owns and operates The UPS Store here in Lake Forest. As a small business owner, I understand the importance of supporting entrepreneurs, jobs, and a strong local economy.
Since moving to Lake Forest in 2008, my family and I have been blessed to live in such an amazing, beautiful, and safe city. Lake Forest has been more than just where we live — it has been where we have raised our children, built friendships, supported local businesses, enjoyed our parks and trails, and experienced the true meaning of community.
I am running for City Council because I believe it is my honor to give back to the city that has given my family so much. I enjoy immersing myself in the Lake Forest community and want our city to be the best it can be — a safe, welcoming, well-managed, and thriving place for residents, visitors, and the business community.
Safe neighborhoods.
Strong community.
Keeping Lake Forest safe is the foundation for everything we care about—our families, our schools, our businesses, and our future.
I will always support the men and women who serve our community and work every day to keep us safe. I will advocate for the resources, training, and tools they need to do their jobs effectively.
Public safety is about more than responding to crime—it’s about prevention, partnership, and creating safe places where people can live, work, and thrive.
Thanking and backing deputies who protect Lake Forest every day.
Building a stronger, more prepared community for any emergency.
Working together with agencies and residents to solve problems.
Keeping residents informed every step of the way.
Support OCSD, neighborhood policing, and visibility to build trust and deter crime.
Protect students with strong school safety partnerships and youth programs.
Invest in training, equipment, and communication for emergencies.
Address speeding, unsafe conditions, enforcement, education, and smarter solutions.
Use modern tools and data-driven strategies to improve outcomes.
Public safety works best when the City Council, law enforcement, first responders, and residents work together with trust and respect.
Safer streets. Smoother traffic.
Protecting every life on the road.
From reducing speeding and improving intersections to protecting pedestrians, cyclists, and families, I will work to make our streets safer, more efficient, and better for everyone.
I am honored to serve the City of Lake Forest as a Traffic and Parking Commissioner since February 2025.
In this role, I work collaboratively with city staff, fellow commissioners, and community members to improve traffic safety, parking management, and overall mobility throughout our city.
Identify and improve high-risk intersections with better design, signals, and visibility.
Optimize signal timing, coordinate corridors, and invest in smart infrastructure.
Enhance drop-off zones, signage, crosswalks, and patrols to protect our kids.
Maintain smooth roads, clear lane markings, and safe signage.
Use traffic data, resident feedback, and expert analysis to prioritize wisely.
Solving traffic and street safety challenges takes teamwork. I will collaborate with residents, city staff, engineers, and public safety partners.
Vibrant neighborhoods.
Strong community.
Quality of life is what makes Lake Forest an exceptional place to live, work, and raise a family. I will continue to enhance the services, amenities, and programs that bring us together and keep our city thriving.
Maintain and enhance our parks, trails, and open spaces for everyone.
Support clean, safe, and welcoming neighborhoods through great city services.
Invest in programs and activities that strengthen families and inspire youth.
Promote local arts, community events, and cultural experiences that bring us together.
Support initiatives that promote healthy living and overall wellness.
Proudly serving our local youth as Assistant Scoutmaster, helping build character, leadership, and a spirit of service through the Scouting program.
Trained and dedicated to supporting our community during emergencies and disasters through preparedness, response, and recovery efforts.
Giving back by volunteering in our beautiful parks and open spaces to help keep Lake Forest clean, green, and inviting for all.
By investing in our community, supporting our volunteers, and enhancing the things that matter most, we can ensure Lake Forest remains a wonderful place for generations to come.
District 3 is a vibrant part of our city—home to top-rated schools, employers, beautiful parks, and the deeply valued Lake Forest Sports Park.
It matters because it includes the Lake Forest Sports Park, one of Orange County’s premier sports and recreation destinations that brings our community together.
This 86-acre facility is one of Orange County’s largest sports parks and is valued by thousands of residents and visitors every year.
Learn More About Sports Park
Smart budgeting.
Responsible spending.
Accountable leadership.
Fiscal responsibility means setting clear priorities, managing projects carefully, protecting public dollars, and making sure residents receive real value from every investment the city makes.
Delivering projects on schedule, on budget, within scope, and with quality.
Clear oversight, detailed invoices, and open communication.
Invest in streets, facilities, and essential services before new spending.
Seek outside funding to reduce the burden on taxpayers.
Measure outcomes and ensure programs deliver real value.
As a project manager on large multi-million-dollar projects, I was responsible for delivering projects on schedule, on budget, and within scope and quality.
We used competitive bidding processes when selecting contractors to ensure best value for our customers.
Our projects focused on mission-critical improvements like lighting and thermal comfort in classrooms and offices.
We made sure we did not use contingency reserves on projects when they were not needed.
I researched and leveraged utility, state, and federal grants and incentives to help reduce capital costs for customers.
I developed and presented financial cash flows to help explain project benefits to school boards and city councils.
We provided detailed schedules of values and billing invoices so customers clearly understood where money was going.
I will ask thoughtful questions, support competitive bidding, prioritize core services, protect reserves, pursue outside funding, measure results, and make sure residents receive value for their tax dollars.
Every dollar should serve a purpose, solve a problem, or strengthen our community.
Share Your PrioritiesThoughtful development.
Preserve our character.
Plan for the future.
Growth should be balanced, practical, and supported by infrastructure. Lake Forest must protect what residents value while planning responsibly for tomorrow.
Protect the unique community feel and quality of life.
Ensure roads, utilities, and services keep pace with growth.
Evaluate impacts before approving major projects.
Encourage business growth that serves residents.
Preserve parks, trails, and community gathering places.
Responsible growth means planning today for a stronger, more vibrant community tomorrow.
I will put Lake Forest residents before politics. I will listen first, communicate clearly, and make thoughtful decisions that reflect the needs of our neighborhoods, businesses, and community.
Local decisions affect our daily lives — traffic, public safety, parks, neighborhood maintenance, business vitality, housing, and quality of life. That is why I believe residents should always be at the center of every decision made at City Hall.
Lake Forest is best served by practical leadership, open communication, thoughtful decision-making, and a genuine commitment to listening to the people who live, work, visit, and do business in our city.
I will listen to residents before decisions are made and make space for meaningful public input.
Residents deserve honest communication, clear explanations, and openness about City decisions.
I will provide regular updates through email, community meetings, and neighborhood outreach.
Good results come from collaboration with residents, businesses, schools, public safety partners, and community groups.
I will weigh costs, long-term impacts, neighborhood character, traffic, and quality of life before voting.
Residents should be able to reach me, share concerns, and receive respectful follow-up.
This campaign is not affiliated with any political party. My focus is Lake Forest residents and practical local solutions.
Safer intersections, speeding concerns, neighborhood traffic impacts, and safer routes for families.
Strong police, fire, and emergency readiness to keep our community safe.
Lake Forest Sports Park, neighborhood parks, trails, and community spaces like Etnies Skatepark.
Protect neighborhoods, require infrastructure to keep pace, and address parking and traffic before approvals.
Support business vitality, clean neighborhoods, responsive city services, and strong communication.
Have an idea, concern, suggestion, or neighborhood issue? I want to hear from you. Your ideas help shape better decisions and a stronger Lake Forest.
Stay informed.
Stay connected.
Updates from the campaign, community events, volunteer service, and the local issues that matter most to Lake Forest residents.
Featured News
Lake Forest has been an amazing, beautiful, and safe place for my family to call home. I’m running because it is an honor to give back to the community and city that has given us so much. I enjoy immersing myself in the community, listening to residents, and working toward a Lake Forest that continues to be a great place for residents, visitors, and the business community.
Read MoreLatest Updates
Since February 2025, I have proudly served the City of Lake Forest as a Traffic and Parking Commissioner. This role gives me the opportunity to listen to residents, better understand local transportation concerns, and advocate for practical solutions that improve traffic flow, parking access, and street safety while protecting neighborhood quality of life.
Read More ›Community service has always been a big part of my life. As an Assistant Scoutmaster with Troop 604, a City of Lake Forest CERT volunteer, and a Volunteer in Parks participant, I’ve had the privilege of serving our city in ways that strengthen preparedness, support youth, and help keep Lake Forest clean, welcoming, and connected.
Read More ›
Throughout my career managing multi-million-dollar projects, I have focused on delivering results on schedule, on budget, and with strong accountability. That means competitive bidding, protecting taxpayer dollars, prioritizing mission-critical needs, pursuing grants and outside funding, measuring return on investment, and maintaining transparent oversight every step of the way.
Read More ›
District 3 is home to neighborhoods, schools, local businesses, and the Lake Forest Sports Park — one of our community’s most valued destinations. It matters because it reflects the balance residents want to protect: safe streets, strong neighborhoods, quality parks, and thoughtful planning that supports both families and local economic vitality.
Read More ›Subscribe for campaign news, community updates, and opportunities to share your priorities for Lake Forest.
Listening to Lake Forest.
Building support together.
This campaign is built around residents, neighborhoods, families, small businesses, and community members who care about Lake Forest’s future.
Supporters & Community Voices
Anil’s campaign is built around listening to Lake Forest residents and putting community first. As the campaign grows, this page will include voices from residents, small business owners, parents, seniors, volunteers, and community leaders who share a commitment to safe neighborhoods, strong local services, thoughtful growth, and a high quality of life.
In the meantime, we invite neighbors across District 3 to share what matters most to them and how they want Lake Forest to continue moving forward.
Share Your VoiceFamilies, homeowners, renters, and neighbors who care about daily quality of life.
Local employers and entrepreneurs who help keep Lake Forest vibrant.
Families focused on safe streets, parks, schools, and youth opportunities.
Community members serving through parks, preparedness, Scouts, schools, and nonprofits.
Residents who value safety, accessibility, communication, and reliable city services.
Neighbors who want practical, nonpartisan solutions for Lake Forest.
Future entries may include resident testimonials, formal endorsements, business/community supporter statements, volunteer spotlights, and neighborhood stories.
Quotes, names, photos, and titles will only be posted with permission. The goal is to highlight authentic community voices in a respectful and accurate way.
Tell us what you love about Lake Forest, what needs attention, and why you support practical, resident-focused leadership.
Submit your thoughts ›Help us build a campaign rooted in listening, service, transparency, and residents-first leadership.
Together, we can build
a better Lake Forest.
Join the campaign, share your priorities, request a yard sign, or help us connect with neighbors across District 3.
Your voice matters.
I would be honored
to hear from you.
Share a concern, ask a question, or let us know how you would like to help the campaign.
I would be honored to hear from you.
Email: anilpatel4citycouncil@gmail.com
Campaign: Anil Patel for Lake Forest City Council 2026
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