Respectful rivalry

POST FALLS — City council candidates Joe Malloy and Clay Larkin squared off at the Panhandle Pachyderms meeting Friday, and while their priorities may differ, both had nothing but praise for their challenger.

“We both agree no matter who wins, the city of Post Falls comes out ahead,” said Larkin, a former mayor and city councilman.

“A lot of people have asked me why I am running, and I am going to put it on the record right now,” Larkin continued. “I have no agenda. I think Joe is doing a great job.”

Larkin said he mentored Malloy when he was first elected to his city council position four years ago.

Larkin said the main reason he chose to run is because he feels the voters deserve to have a choice in the elections.

Malloy said he first decided to run for city council in 2011 after attending a council meeting where then-councilman Scott Grant was advocating for a 2 percent property tax increase shortly after the economy went into recession.

He said he is running again to continue his focus on economic development in Post Falls.

“My priority is to attract more jobs to Post Falls,” Malloy said, explaining the property tax base in the city is out of balance. “We are 90 percent residential, so our residents are taking on more of the burden.”

Malloy said other cities have about 80 percent residential tax base and 20 percent commercial. He said property tax revenue from residents doesn't cover the cost to serve them, so more commercial property taxes are needed to offset that.

“While our budget is lean and low, most of the burden rests on the residents,” he said.

Malloy was asked to explain why Post Falls has the highest property tax levy rate in the county.

Malloy explained that levy rates can be misleading — because property values are typically lower in Post Falls, the higher levy rates generate property tax revenues that are close to what cities like Coeur d’Alene are collecting from higher-valued properties in their jurisdiction.

Larkin said the property taxes collected in Post Falls go toward providing “quality services” in the city. He agreed with Malloy that more commercial revenue is needed to support those services.

Larkin was asked why he chose to run against Malloy instead of running for Skip Hissong’s open seat, or against Councilwoman Kerri Thoreson.

“Lynn Borders threw his hat in the ring, and he is a friend of mine,” Larkin said. “I wasn’t going to run against him, and I decided not to run against Kerri Thoreson.”

Larkin summed up his issues, saying he will protect personal property rights, support public safety and maintain transparency. He will also protect the aquifer and foster economic development.

He said he has his past health issues under control and just received a clean bill of health from his cardiologist.

“I wouldn’t be standing here if I was in poor health,” Larkin said, adding he wouldn’t ask for the job if he couldn’t see it through.

“I am the more seasoned and experienced candidate,” Larkin said.

Malloy said he is the only councilman who fits the average demographic in Post Falls. He said the average Post Falls citizen is in their early 30s with young children.

"I am the only one in that demographic,” he said. “There are different perspectives coming from a working family. That’s why I am running.”

He said he has been asked if he lived in Coeur d’Alene if he would run for council there.

“I tell them, yes, I would turn around and run the other way,” he said.