But the freshman Salt Lake City mayor is throwing a fundraising bash - complete with satirical strains from the Saliva Sisters - to spare capital taxpayers from paying for his extracurricular events.

Becker is hosting a dinner-and-drinks "extravaganza and gala event" May 14 at the Salt Lake Hardware Co. with a $150 requested cover charge. Sponsor tables for 10 people run $1,000.

"He's a hot commodity but he needs to pay his own way," explains Bev Cooper, Becker's campaign manager, who notes that all donations will be disclosed.

The money, subject to city contribution limits, will go into his campaign account for special functions. It will be used, for instance, to cover certain luncheons - especially when they are "particularly political," Becker's team says - as well as travel to Denver for this summer's Democratic National Convention.

Becker feels there are shades of gray when it comes to using city funds and wants to draw a "clear line," says spokeswoman Helen Langan.

She points to a recent dinner to launch a scholarship fund and honor pollster Dan Jones.

"He'd prefer to pay for it out of his own personal political account and be real clear about that," Langan says.

But watchdogs wonder whether the fundraising gala could buy special access to the mayor as well as provide a back door to circumvent donation limits.

"It raises questions on both sides," says Tom Schatz, president of Washington, D.C.-based Citizens Against Government Waste. "One being to save taxpayer funds, the other is raising access by a small group of people. It maybe further cements that relationship."

At the same time, Schatz says, the extra fund "seems a little cleaner," to cover quasi-official events.

Quin Monson, assistant director of Brigham Young University's Center for the Study of Elections and Democracy, agrees.

He says the gala does not appear "unseemly," particularly since the goal is to protect taxpayers.

"My guess is voters will give a collective yawn at this type of thing, and it's probably going to be viewed as responsible," says Monson, who adds Becker would "do well" to keep open books on the fundraiser.

But, he warns, "it could be viewed by some as a way for his donors to circumvent whatever limits Salt Lake City has in place."

Cooper, who tags the 2008 target between $25,000 and $30,000, vows every dollar will be disclosed in the same fashion as a campaign contribution and will adhere to donation limits. She says the Becker camp intends to make this an annual fundraiser.

Former Mayor Rocky Anderson sought similar funds to cover travel costs and other events.

Becker's solicitation arrived via a cartoon mailer that shows "Blueprint Man" (his campaign caricature) posing in front of a cobalt City Hall and reads "Let's Paint the Town Blue."

The mayor also posted a blog entry about the event on his Web site, saying "it will be another night to remember."

The invitation includes cash envelopes that Cooper notes were left over from last year's campaign.

"He likes to recycle, you know."

djensen@sltrib.com