POST FALLS - Alan Wolfe vows to be a "relentless budget hawk" if he's elected to Post Falls City Council Seat No. 2 on Nov. 5.

"That doesn't mean I'll be micro-managing this city," said Wolfe, a regional director for Spokane Teachers Credit Union. "It just means I'll know where every dollar is spent and why.

"I'll encourage department heads to stretch their dollars and reward them when they do."

Wolfe, 58, said he has been on both sides of budgeting in his business career.

"I understand and am knowledgeable about the budgeting process, both from the department level and the administration level," he said. "This has been a regular part of my work experience for more than 30 years."

He said one of his pet peeves was to do a great job managing a budget, only to have it automatically cut the next year.

"It forces managers to spend their budgets on unnecessary expenses just so they don't lose it the next year," Wolfe said. "I won't do that as a councilman. I won't stand for unnecessary spending and I won't penalize a department for doing a great job watching expenses."

Wolfe, a Post Falls resident for 13 years, said he believes his experience in business and community service has prepared him well for the council.

He has served on the Planning and Zoning Commission for more than eight years and is the board's chairman.

"I am well aware of the current issues the city council is working on," he said. "I will be ready to provide quality dialogue and ideas on the first day. I have been highly involved in the planning phases for the city and now I look forward to working on the implementation of those plans."

Other current involvement includes: Mayor's Youth Commission, Impact Fee Committee, Post Falls and Coeur d'Alene chambers of commerce, Ironman Coeur d'Alene and Post Falls Community Volunteers.

He graduated from leadership academies through the chambers of commerce in Post Falls and Coeur d'Alene.

Wolfe has a bachelor's degree in math and a master's degree in business administration.

He believes the city needs a stronger business presence to provide both jobs and a more diversified tax base.

"We are falling behind in the attraction of new business," he said. "If we can increase our tax base, it takes pressure off the homeowners. A citizen's quality of life starts with good jobs in a city that welcomes new businesses and manages its growth effectively."

He believes this can be done by continuing or enhancing partnerships with the Idaho Small Business Development Center, Panhandle Area Council, urban renewal agency, the school district and the chamber of commerce.

"I am eager to work on the City Center project because I believe that it can be a strong selling point to potential new businesses," he said.

Wolfe said he believes growth has to be managed, not sprawl onto the prairie.

"We need to encourage infill development and reduce the inventory of platted building lots before we look at annexing any more property into the city," he said.

Wolfe said he believes the city is well-run, but efforts to ensure tax dollars are spent wisely will be needed.

"We have had the opportunity to maintain a high level of service over the past few years with only one moderate increase in taxes. This tells me the departments are well-managed, as is the city as a whole."