COEUR d'ALENE - The two finalists for the Coeur d'Alene city administrator's position met city officials for a roundtable discussion Thursday at the community room of the library.

Mayor Steve Widmyer and members of the city council were given the opportunity to ask the two finalists, Jim Hammond and Mark Mitton, about their qualifications for the position. Hammond and Mitton were interviewed separately and began by giving the panel their backgrounds.

Hammond, with 32 years of public service, briefly spoke of his time as the city administrator for Post Falls, as well as his experiences as a state senator, member of the Post Falls City Council and mayor of Post Falls.

"Most recently I was asked to come out to Panhandle Area Council (as executive director) and help them reorganize themselves and get back on the straight and narrow," Hammond said. "That's exactly what I've been doing. We really are moving forward out there."

Mitton, who is employed as the city administrator in Burley, Idaho, spoke of his experience as both a county and city administrator in California, Oregon and Idaho.

"I have a lot of good experience in a lot of different venues," Mitton said.

During time allocated to question both candidates, Councilman Ron Edinger asked both Hammond and Mitton why they were interested in the position.

Hammond said being a city administrator is something he has been doing for most of his professional life and wants to bring that expertise to Coeur d'Alene.

"It is what I know and what I enjoy doing," Hammond said. "I recognize that it's not going to always be easy, but it would be a privilege to be a part of that."

Mitton spoke of his love for the city of Coeur d'Alene and the national recognition it has garnered in numerous areas.

"I just want to be a part of that and work with the people to keep making this a great town," Mitton said.

Councilwoman Amy Evans asked both finalists to identify the top three challenges the city is facing and how they, if given the job, would tackle those issues.

According to Hammond, the top three challenges - McEuen Park, Arfee, and the Hitching Post - are all winding down. He gave his input on the Hitching Post and Arfee situations and said he would have handled them by bringing both sides of the issue together to discuss an amicable solution.

"I can't think of a major issue coming before you," Hammond said. "But when you sit down face-to-face, you can much more easily resolve those issues. That's how I would work as your city administrator."

Mitton told the board that while he could create a top- three list of challenges to the city, he is aware of challenges facing cities throughout the state such as funding for streets and other infrastructure issues.

"I think any city's challenge is providing good service on a tight budget and growing the economy in the right way," Mitton said.

Widmyer told The Press he expects to announce his decision today as to which candidate he will select. Once that selection is made, the city council will take a vote to determine whether or not to approve the hire.