Editor's note: This is the third in a series profiling 11 candidates vying for three seats on the Lake Elsinore City Council in the Nov. 4 election.

LAKE ELSINORE -- Carole Feeney drives around and sees evidence of an economic slowdown that has led to a huge uptick in home foreclosures and more needy families on the streets.

"I think that nearly everyone has at least six foreclosed homes on their block," said the 47-year-old City Council candidate.

But instead of using that slowdown as an excuse to slash city spending across the board, the accounting assistant sees an opportunity to redefine the city's priorities and create a new budget that is tied more closely to anticipated revenues.

The other candidates competing for the three council seats that are up for election this year are Barbara Alongi, 72, a retired veterinary technician; Amy Marie Bhutta, a 39-year-old high school English teacher; 55-year-old Planning Commissioner Jimmy Flores; Chris Hyland, 79, a former Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District director; 45-year-old incumbent City Councilman Robert Magee; Steven Manos, 32, a real estate broker; Melissa Melendez, 40, owner of a transcription company; 28-year-old Public Safety Advisory Commission Chairman Michael Norkin; 58-year-old Planning Commissioner Michael O'Neal; and Joyce Smith, 61, executive director for a custom home builder.

The top issue for Feeney, a former City Council candidate who ran in 2006, is the staffing of the Police Department, which she said needs to be kept at one officer for every 1,000 residents.

"That number is the minimal number," she said.

In recent years, the council has boosted funding for the police and fire departments, and the council members recently approved spending $7 million to build a new fire station. There are currently more than 50 officers patrolling the streets of the city of about 50,000.

The percentage of city spending going toward public safety has jumped from 30 percent a few years ago to 43 percent in the most recent budget.

Continuing to fund public safety at that level could be tough as some city officials predict the city's revenues will come up short of expectations this year.

Feeney is aware of the budget challenges on the horizon but she said the city shouldn't have to reduce public safety spending.

"There are lots of cuts in the budget before we would ever cut public safety," she said.

Specifically, she noted there needs to be greater scrutiny paid to the salaries of some of the city's administrators and the employees working at City Hall, which saw hiring boosted during the housing boom earlier this decade.

"Cuts need to occur according to demand," Feeney said, talking about how she would decide what departments to target in a budget crunch.

Also, Feeney said she wouldn't take the possibility of layoffs off the table.

"Everything needs to be looked at," she said. "People are getting laid off in the public sector and at the city government level. That's something to prepare for."

Another issue important to Feeney is the city's role in the construction of a regional animal shelter.

That project looks to be moving forward after years of delays but Feeney said she believes the city of Lake Elsinore, site of a temporary shelter that was damaged in a recent fire, needs to take on a larger role in the new shelter's construction.

The joint powers authority building the new shelter, which will be located in Wildomar, is composed of county Supervisor Bob Buster and representatives from the City Councils in Lake Elsinore, Temecula, Murrieta and Canyon Lake.

"It's been a slow process and I'd certainly like to expedite that," she said.

Feeney's interest in the shelter can be traced to her passion and work on behalf of animals.

"I've picked up animals that are lost and taken them over to the shelter. I've donated food. I do all that but I don't expect anything back. That's another reason why I want to run for City Council," she said, talking about her desire to give back to her community.

Contact staff writer Aaron Claverie at (951) 676-4315, Ext. 2624, or aclaverie@californian.com.

Carole Feeney

- Age: 47

- Occupation: Accounting assistant

- Civic involvement: Volunteer for the Lake Elsinore Unified School District and the group Helping our People in Elsinore.

- Web site: www.carolefeeney.com