POST FALLS — Former fire chief Lynn Borders beat Barry Rubin for the open council seat that will be vacated by Skip Hissong later this year.

It was his first city council run.

“I’m liking it,” Borders said as 80 percent of the precincts showed him with an overwhelming lead over his challenger. “This is the first time I’ve run for city council and the whole process was a learning experience — a good one and I enjoyed it.”

Borders secured more than 65 percent of the vote and won 783-417.

“I am certainly overwhelmed by the support from the people who voted for me,” he said, adding that he wanted to thank those who supported his campaign efforts as well.

Borders, 62, said he is interested in maintaining the city’s growth and strengthening economic development efforts, but before that gets done, he wants to get situated.

“I still need to meet with some of the staff,” he said. “I’ve got to get up to speed a little bit.”

Borders, who served on the city’s planning and zoning commission, said he has developed relationships with some of the staff.

“I just want to get a handle on things and see where we can go from there,” he said.

During his campaign, Borders said his priorities are business and job growth, balancing the tax burden on all taxpayers and improving the entrances into the city.

Borders was the first career firefighter in Post Falls. He spent 31 years with what is now called Kootenai County Fire and Rescue, and served as department chief for 25 of those years.

He decided to jump into local politics when City Councilman Skip Hissong announced his retirement. Hissong endorsed Borders for the seat.

Rubin, 64, who has a bachelor’s degree in political science and served as a U.S. Navy officer prior to retirement, said he is a regular at the Post Falls City Council meetings, which he has attended for more than nine years.

Rubin said he has addressed the council on a broad range of issues, from the budget and new housing developments to procedural changes, “Some of which have been implemented,” Rubin said, adding that his broad range of experience in decision making and problem solving would enable him “to make a material contribution to the city.”