The Republican mayor, who is now on paid leave, said she was sorry for all the "consternation it gives the whole community and all of the citizens. But I'm hopeful it will be resolved and we'll get a trial date here today or tomorrow and we'll get it all resolved so that you know what we know: that I'm innocent."

Anyway, the mayor added, "Onward, with this."

Back to the issues.

Workman, Democrat Peter Corroon and independent Merrill Cook took turns Friday at a gathering of South Valley Chambers of Commerce in West Jordan to talk about why they should be mayor.

Workman acknowledged there have been county scandals throughout her term. She mentioned vehicle abuses by top officials, bookkeeping discrepancies in the Fine Arts Division and employee theft at the county Equestrian Park. But, she added, those scandals show that the new form of government is rooting out problems.

"It's getting cleaned up," she said. "It looks like it's not working, but it is. It's painful, but we're getting it cleaned up."

In front of business executives and political leaders, Workman touted her creation of the county's first economic development office, the new Clark Planetarium and a focus on local businesses. She also heralded the county's efforts to identify businesses about to leave and then persuading them to stay.

"I'm really proud of what's going on," she said.

Cook and Corroon chipped away at the mayor's record, especially on the budget. But with Corroon well ahead in recent polls, Cook mostly aimed criticisms at the Democrat's "living wage" proposal. The rule would give preferred status in county contracts to companies that pay at least $9 an hour to every employee and provide health insurance.

"It is a laudable goal," Cook said. "The trouble with the living wage is it has an unintended consequence of driving businesses right out of town."

Cook predicted such a plan - which he called an extension of Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson's living-wage policy - would raise county expenses by $70 million.

Corroon disputed the number, saying that Cook doesn't understand the proposal, which is now being debated by county leaders. Corroon says his living-wage plan would apply when two companies are bidding on a county contract for services and there is essentially no difference between the two bids.

In that case, the business paying a living wage would get the contract.

The Democrat predicts limited impact on the county's bottom line. Workman did not address the living-wage proposal.

Cook and Corroon said they would push to collaborate on economic development with cities. Cook said governments should not "compete within Salt Lake County, but compete for Salt Lake County."

Workman trumpeted her record of not raising taxes and even trimming a tax hike approved by the now-defunct County Commission.

That's great, Corroon said, but it's vital to watch how taxpayer money is being spent, too.

"It's sometimes more egregious to me when we waste tax dollars," he said. "Even if we never have a tax increase, if we are wasting our tax dollars, that's just as bad."

Republican U.S. Rep. Chris Cannon and Democratic opponent Beau Babka also spoke during the candidate forum.

Live TV debate

l The Salt Lake County mayoral candidates will debate live on KUTV Channel 2 on Sunday at 11 a.m. The 30-minute debate will feature incumbent Republican Nancy Workman, Democrat Peter Corroon and independent Merrill Cook

Their stands

l Nancy Workman, on county scandals: "It's getting cleaned up. It looks like it's not working, but it is. It's painful, but we're getting it cleaned up."

l Peter Corroon, on taxpayer money: "Even if we never have a tax increase, if we are wasting our tax dollars, that's just as bad."

l Merrill Cook, on Corroon's living-wage proposal: "It is a laudable goal. The trouble with the living wage is it has an unintended consequence of driving businesses right out of town."