At times, progressive Post Falls stubs its toe.

The government of the rapidly growing River City has long been known for expanding services before the need is critical. Mayor Clay Larkin and City Administrator Jim Hammond are among the most respected city officials in the state. Chief Cliff Hayes’ police department is top notch, too.

For some reason, however, these and other city officials fail to understand how myopic the city appears each time it insists on being reimbursed for services provided for Sunday’s Ironman Coeur d’Alene. Hayes insists that this year’s bill from Post Falls for more than $10,800 is a good deal. It’ll cost the city more than that to provide police and related services for the bicycle portion of the triathlon.

But Hayes misses the larger picture.

Major events like Ironman bring positive exposure and attract tens of thousands of participants and spectators. Ironman visitors will ring cash registers at hotels, motels, restaurants, cash stations, grocery stores and local shops in Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls and other area towns. The spillover alone should be worth more than $10,800 for Post Falls. In a spirit of cooperation, Post Falls should absorb the extra expenses. Or the Coeur d’Alene Chamber of Commerce should pick up the tab willingly to settle this ongoing tempest.

Of particular concern is the renewal of the contract between Coeur d’Alene and Ironman. The original agreement runs out after the 2007 event. Ironman officials and competitors have said repeatedly that they appreciate the natural beauty of the race course and Coeur d’Alene’s warm welcome. But Ironman has yet to decide about future affiliation.

It would be a shame if Post Falls’ insistence on reimbursement affected Ironman’s return in 2008.

Already, the stubborn stand has bruised feelings in Coeur d’Alene and may have triggered a vengeful reaction. The Idaho Travel Council has rejected a $10,000 grant request from the Post Falls Chamber of Commerce Tourism Committee. The Travel Council denies any connection, but Coeur d’Alene Resort General Manager Bill Reagan wrote to Post Falls chamber members, as a member of the Travel Council, that they’d never get another Travel Council grant as long as their city insisted on recompense.

Some Post Falls taxpayers may consider their government’s position noble. But there are some things a community should fund, out of civic pride and neighborliness.

Ironman Coeur d’Alene is a for-profit organization that can afford to pay Post Falls $10,000. The Coeur d’Alene Chamber of Commerce can, too.

But there’s a bigger issue. Ironman benefits local businesses and thrills Inland Northwesterners, including Post Falls residents. It’s time for the city of Post Falls to quit objecting and start applauding.