Political insiders are admonishing Salt Lake County not to treat taxpayer cash from tourists as a financial windfall after Mayor Peter Corroon spiked Real Salt Lake's plan to use $35 million of that money for a Sandy soccer stadium.

"I just hope they would not go and say it will work [for another project]," House Speaker Greg Curtis, R-Sandy, said about the millions in hotel-tax money granted by the 2006 Legislature.

Right now, the funds will begin flowing in 2011, the bulk in 2015.

But County Council members fear Republican legislators will revoke the revenue, perhaps in a special session. Some even dread the county's other "play money" could be targeted, including popular Zoo, Arts and Parks dollars.

"In politics, there are prices to pay for this kind of behavior," Councilman Joe Hatch said. "It may be a tough couple of years."

So will Corroon, a first-term Democrat, replace Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson as the Legislature's favorite whipping boy?

His staff says no.

"This whole retribution talk is just that, talk," said Doug Willmore, Corroon's chief administrative officer. "One of the real differences between Peter and Rocky is the respect [Corroon] has already earned. We have Republican delegates calling in saying, 'We will vote for Corroon for whatever office he runs for, forever.' "

Willmore went on to promise there is no plan to spend a penny of the new hotel tax, which is not even available for five years.

"We haven't broken any promises," he said. "We never asked for it. We never lobbied for it."

Still, Councilman Randy Horiuchi is worried.

"The ramifications of this will be very interesting to watch," he said. "I suspect the Legislature will probably revoke our ability to use the hotel money."

Colleague Michael Jensen also frets about the state exacting a political pound of flesh.

"There's going to be a lot of meetings county officials will have to go to and explain 'how' and 'why' and try to moderate the hurt feelings," he said.

But Rep. David Clark, R-Santa Clara, and sponsor of 2006 hotel-tax bill, says the legislation clearly empowered Salt Lake County leaders to make their own decisions.

The retribution discussion "may have gotten a little louder because of this," he said. But "I would be surprised if you see anything heavy-handed."

Sen. Curt Bramble, R-Provo, who co-sponsored the legislation, agreed that Corroon has complete autonomy.

"We gave full authority to Salt Lake County to make a decision," he said.

RSL officials did not address the fallout issue Thursday and reiterated their total focus is on Saturday's game. Team owner Dave Checketts and Chief Executive Officer Dean Howes also plan a news conference for Saturday to address the stadium issue.

Curtis, the House speaker, insists the county won't get slapped with future legislation as long as the extra tax money doesn't go elsewhere.

"As long as they are sincere with us. We've been upfront with them," he said.

Other counties are free to spend the newly allotted 1.25 percent hotel tax on tourism projects. Washington County hopes to expand the Dixie Convention Center. Salt Lake County is funneling its current hotel levy to upgrade the Salt Palace. The 2006 bill extended that tax - ostensibly for a soccer stadium.

Councilman Jim Bradley sides with Corroon. He insists the package presented by RSL was unfair to taxpayers.

"There may be consequences. But we're not paying him to look at all the political ramifications," Bradley said. "We're looking to him to make good public-policy decisions, and that's what he did."

djensen@sltrib.com

Tribune reporter Jacob Santini contributed to this story.