AUBURN – Remarks on tax increment financing caused the most sparks Thursday night at the second Auburn City Council candidates forum.

It was a comment from the audience by Tammie Greishaber, candidate for mayor, that triggered a first-time candidate and an incumbent to fire back defensively.

After numerous references to TIFs throughout the evening, Greishaber said, “I really hope that particularly these people, but even some of the people sitting on the council will learn what a TIF district is, because it’s very obvious from hearing your answers that you just don’t understand it.”

Her remark didn’t bring an immediate response, but in his closing statement Ward 4 candidate Bruce Bennett said, “I do know what a TIF is and, in hindsight of the first 13 TIFs, I probably would have voted for every one of them. It’s the process and the procedures that my concern would be.”

Ward 5 Councilor Belinda Gerry emphasized that she understands TIFs, and she doesn’t want a fight with Grieshaber on the issue.

Nearly 50 people attended the event. The panel included candidates and incumbents of Wards 2, 3 and 4 as well as incumbent Gerry.

Raymond C. Berube, Gerry’s challenger, did not appear.

The forum moved between some rapid-fire yes-or-no questions to more detailed responses on prepared questions. The event was sponsored by the Twin City Times and was held in the Auburn Public Library’s community room.

Positions on the Taxpayer Bill of Rights varied. Jodd P. Bowles, candidate for the Ward 2 council seat, said he recently heard a speaker from Colorado who talked about why TABOR should be defeated. Bowles said, “The more he talked against it, the more I wanted it.”

Both Ward 3 candidate Daniel R. Herrick and Ward 4 candidate Bruce A. Bickford said they support TABOR, as did Gerry.

Ward 3 Councilor Eric Samson and Ward 4 Councilor Donna Lyons Rowell said they oppose TABOR.

Samson explained that he feels TABOR “puts a minority in control.” He said he feels it is “not really a tax reform,” but a “distraction.”

Ward 2 Councilor Robert Hayes said he opposes TABOR “as it is written.”

Hayes said it unnecessarily complicates the budget process.

In a quick yes-or-nor question on whether they would support a detailed audit of TIF district financing, they unanimously answered “Yes.”

In another rapid-fire query, Bowles and Bickford said they could support merging Lewiston and Auburn. The others opposed a merger.

All but Gerry said they are opposed to a local-option sales tax.

In more detailed discussion of Twin Cities consolidation efforts, incumbents felt the council should have had more discussion of the issues before now. Herrick said he believes there should be public meetings on consolidation issues.

Bennett remarked that he can’t understand why the two cities have not yet come up with coordinated electrical and building codes.

“It’s not rocket science,” he said.

Bowles pledged to work for a resumption of a Spring Clean-Up Week in Auburn, and when the group was asked about their ideas for revenue opportunities, Samson suggested that those who want a cleanup week might pay a fee to participate in the roadside pickup program.

Gerry said the city should be getting more money out of recycling.

There were varied opinions on how school budgeting could be improved.

Herrick said he believes Auburn’s school system needs a maintenance plan and he said the school system is “overburdened with administrators.”