COEUR d'ALENE - At Wednesday night's candidate forum for Hayden mayor and City Council, the four participants had a great deal they agreed upon.

For one, the city needs to do everything in its power to promote itself and get businesses to locate or expand there and, along the way, create more employment opportunities for residents.

"My platform is bringing more jobs to the city," said Nancy Lowery, who is running for mayor against incumbent Ron McIntire. The forum was in North Idaho College's Edminster Student Union Building. It was hosted and moderated by the college's communication department, and about 50 members of the public turned out to hear from the candidates.

Within the format, the candidates didn't debate or challenge each other's positions, but took turns answering broad questions from the moderators and those in attendance.

"We must be out there" promoting the city, said Lowery, a current city councilwoman. She is giving up her seat to run for mayor.

The candidates also all agree that the city needs to address the level of building and impact fees and taxes, and make sure the costs aren't holding development back.

Additionally, "We need to soften up restrictions on businesses," said McIntire.

And building costs are too high, with home builders paying more than $10,000 in additional impact fees compared with those making homes in neighboring Coeur d'Alene.

"We're pricing ourselves out of the market," McIntire said.

The candidates also agree that now, in the current economic climate, is not the time to increase the amount of taxes and rates residents and businesses are paying to government.

A good way to keep taxes and rates low is keeping spending in check.

"We've worked diligently to make the money go as far as we can," McIntire said.

But the city must get creative and innovative to find the revenues necessary to meet the service desires of the community.

"What does the public actually want the city to provide?" Lowery asked.

General fund revenues haven't been able to match expenses in recent budgets, so the city has had to draw on reserves to maintain current levels of services.

"We're all tired of paying taxes, but we need more money to pay for services," said Roger Saterfiel, who is running unopposed for re-election to his seat on the City Council. He has advocated thinking outside the box to come up with revenue solutions that don't hurt residents and businesses.

Later in the forum, Saterfiel, who is Kootenai County's solid waste department director, said, "I know how to make government work without raising taxes or fees."

And with tight budgets year after year, public input about what city services are the highest priorities will be eagerly sought and will serve as a guide if they are elected.

"I'll listen to the people that will elect me," said Tim Timmins, who is running for Lowery's seat on the council.

Timmins is the owner of Eagle Ridge Builders, a home building business. One of his primary issues is building fees, which, he believes, are too high. That is slowing growth, he said.

His opponent for Lowery's seat is Kris LaMarr, who didn't attend the forum.

With so much agreement, voters might have to base their votes on candidate resumes and personalities, where the candidates do have significant differences.

Another Hayden city candidate forum is tonight at the Hayden Senior Center, at 9428 N. Government Way. The question-and-answer session goes from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.