Adams wants to rein in ignite cda, reduce labor costs at city

COEUR d'ALENE — Incumbent Coeur d'Alene City Councilman Steve Adams wants to increase accountability for the city's urban renewal agency.

If re-elected, he also plans to work to reduce the city's labor costs and cut taxes for city residents.

Adams, who is facing two challengers in the Nov. 3 election, has been on the city council for four years.

"I understand the proper role of municipal government and that it must be transparent and free of corruption and cronyism," he said.

Adams, 49, is the owner and an agent at Avalanche Insurance Agency on Sherman Avenue in Coeur d'Alene. He has been a businessman for 24 years.

He is running again because he loves his community and is concerned about its future.

"(Coeur d'Alene) is a great place to raise a family," he said.

He enjoys the small-town atmosphere, natural beauty and easy access to lakes, mountains and natural resources, he said.

Adams would like to see the city's urban renewal agency, ignite cda, dissolved and have the city council take over the work.

"We should not have taxation without representation," Adams said.

Adams would like to see a task force formed to evaluate the necessity of every full-time city employee.

As he favors reducing labor costs, he has concerns about regular pay raises.

"A 5 percent automatic pay raise is not sustainable" for city employees, he said.

He opposed the new $20 million McEuen Park. He has said he would have preferred just some modest improvements to the park.

He vowed to reduce property taxes and regulations to improve the economy.

"A strong economy increases revenues without raising taxes," he said.

He also would like to evaluate fees for water, sewer, garbage, franchise permits and capitalization fees.

Adams serves the community through his work as a Sunday school teacher, sports coach, baseball umpire and soup kitchen volunteer.

He said his strengths include a solid work ethic and willingness to listen.

"I am fortunate to have the support of my family and my faith," Adams said.

He said he has made the city a better place to live and work by listening to residents, gathering their input and doing research to make sound decisions. He also has promoted public safety efforts and worked to keep taxes low.

He has been married for 24 years and has three sons, one grown and two attending public schools in Coeur d'Alene.

He is a 3-time Coeur d'Alene triathlon finisher, an outdoorsman and is active in his church.