POST FALLS - Use of funds and level of experience were hot-button issues on Thursday night's council seat No. 2 candidate forum at City Hall.

Past involvement was a main point driven home by the candidates. Alan Wolfe and Jim Hail are both current city commission members, but Barry Rubin says he's also been at the City Hall podium in recent years.

The three candidates, along with Joe Bodman who couldn't attend the forum due to an emergency, are seeking the seat currently held by Ron Jacobson, who is running for mayor on Nov. 5.

Rubin said he has been a regular at City Council meetings for the past five years, voicing his opinion on topics ranging from the budget to suggested procedural changes of comment periods at meetings.

"I think it's important for people to become involved and let their beliefs be known," Rubin said.

He asked Wolfe and Hail where they were last year when he spoke out about a proposed tax increase that staff had presented.

Wolfe said he was pleased with the way the city was being run and was already serving on the Planning and Zoning Commission.

Hail, who serves on the Parks and Recreation Commission, said Rubin had just run for City Council (he was defeated by Skip Hissong) so Rubin was naturally was more in tune with the budget than most residents.

Rubin, 62, who has retired after jobs as a Navy officer, credit manager and auditor, said essential services need to be defined so, come budget time, they can prioritized.

"The money of the government should be spent on infrastructure, fire, health and safety," he said. "Everything else is a second tier."

Wolfe and Hail both disagreed.

"We don't have to go down to the bare bones," Wolfe said. "What kind of business wants to come to a city that offers bare bones?"

Hail said he views parks and recreation as an essential service offered by the city.

Wolfe, 58, a regional director for Spokane Teachers Credit Union, said he'd be a "budget hawk" but if extra one-time funds become available, he believes they should be spent on the city's highest item on its ongoing unmet needs list.

Hail said, based on his conversations with staff, he'd consider raising police salaries in hopes of keeping officers here and slowing them from seeking greener pastures.

Rubin said he'd put the funds in a rainy day account and would be reluctant about increasing salaries until an analysis is done on wages.

Wolfe said his management experience would be valuable and that he oversees a budget that is larger than the city's.

"What this job boils down to is making decisions," he said. "I will be doing my homework. I guarantee I'll be prepared to make those decisions for you."

Hail, 32, the accounts receivable and customer relations manager for Hagadone Directories, Inc., said he wants to extend his civic involvement to the council. He said his parents instilled in him a sense of community service at a young age.

One of his goals is to encourage local government to be more responsive to the needs of businesses.

Hail said the city has been well-run and responded to residents' input, but getting citizens more engaged will be critical in the coming years.

Bodman is a 54-year-old deputy for the Spokane County Sheriff's Office and former city council member.