COEUR d'ALENE - AmyEvans and Chris Fillios, who are vying for seat No. 2 on the City Council, faced off Wednesday evening at a candidate forum in the Coeur d'Alene Public Library.

The candidates answered a variety of questions designed to educate the public on where they would lead the city if elected.

The first question from the Coeur Group panelist, which sponsored the event, dealt with how the candidates would repair what some believe is a dysfunctional City Council.

Fillios said he would restore transparency and oversight first.

"Whether that be toward the question of urban renewal or the budgets," he said. "Budgets are routinely rubber stamped. They are not examined for detail."

He pointed to the parks budget which he said does not include any line items.

Evans said it is important to have fresh voices and fresh faces on the council and the city should listen to all of the people in the community, as well as evaluate efficiencies in the budget and capitalize on those.

"I am a fresh face and I am a fiscal conservative that will look at the budget carefully and look at all efficiencies that are to be had," she said.

The candidates were asked where there may be opportunities to save money in the budget.

Fillios said the parks budget is a $2.5 million single line item in the budget, and it needs to be broken down and compartmentalized. Secondly, he said, take a finer look at each department during workshops, so the council isn't simply rubber stamping requests for the department heads.

"And, thirdly, I think we need to look at the higher level salaries, some of which are disproportionately high and reapportion that money," Fillios said.

Evans said, as a taxpayer herself, she will look at all areas of the budget extremely carefully to make sure it is being spent responsibly.

"Employee pay is a big a part of that and we must continually evaluate every dollar to ensure we are maximizing its full potential," she said.

Evans was asked to elaborate on city salaries. She said there are opportunities for consolidation of positions as higher level employees are retiring. She said that would be a priority for her.

Fillios said that some of the positions are too high. He said leadership positions are about 11 percent over similar cities and one position is 47 percent higher than it should be.

"The preferred problem is the one that solves itself," he said. "And we are facing potential attrition through retirement. That's going to save two positions right there."

Fillios said he believes there could be some reduction in the number of department heads and there is the potential in combining the Parks and Recreation departments.

"I think that would take us to some savings," he said.

Both were asked why voters should vote for them.

Evans cited her history of leadership and accomplishments in the community, including six years on the city planning commission, fundraising expertise, and setting up two non-profits in the community.

Fillios said as far as leadership is concerned he has managed people, projects and budgets in the high-tech industry and managed a credit reporting agency.

The entire debate between the two candidates was broadcast live on Coeur d'Alene Cable Channel 19, and will re-run periodically until the election on Nov. 5.