Even so, each Salt Lake County Council member acknowledged Tuesday's 8-0 passage of an ethics overhaul is crucial in rehabilitating a shaken public trust in county government.

Anticipated since the scandals surrounding Mayor Nancy Workman and other county leaders played out, ethics reform was expected to pass before year's end - though it took more than two months do so.

That didn't stop acting Mayor Alan Dayton, the architect of the four-prong plan, from voicing his enthusiasm.

"This is the most substantial ethics reform not just in the county, but in the state," Dayton said in an interview. "It isn't just a small step. It's a giant leap."

Incoming County Councilwoman Jenny Wilson, who campaigned largely on the need for an ethics makeover, said Tuesday's action reflects a need to enter into a new era.

"Some of it is symbolic, but symbolism is important," she said.

Besides, much of Dayton's plan has practical applications, too. Among other reforms, it:

l Eliminates car allowances for county executives.

l Bars county contractors from donating to county candidates.

* Caps campaign contributions at $5,000 for countywide races and $2,000 for district ones.

* Requires county lobbyists to register.

Council Chairman Steve Harmsen said that while the package may have loopholes, capping contributions "will result in a monumental shift in power in Salt Lake County."

"We as a council ought to be applauded for even going there," he said.

Councilman Joe Hatch called the overhaul the silver lining to the "guzzler-gate" and "hiring-gate" scandals, but argued it doesn't go far enough.

He called for a stricter examination of public financing of campaigns as well as consideration of term limits and the consolidation of county offices.

Hatch also is distressed at the time and cost - Auditor Sean Thomas pegged the amount near $45,000 - taken by the citizen review panel Workman appointed after the county vehicle scandal. (The panel's recommendations have yet to be announced.)

"They cost the county more than guzzler-gate and hiring-gate combined," Hatch lamented.

Harmsen and Councilman Russell Skousen, both of whom will be replaced on the council next month, said the new administration also should consider forming an independent, bipartisan ethics panel to handle complaints and listen to whistle-blowers.

Along the same lines, Wilson and Councilman David Wilde suggested an academic panel could be consulted to flesh out ethical policy in the government.

But Councilman Randy Horiuchi noted the best safeguard is electing people of sound character.

"Don't let us try to delude the public that we are really getting our arms around the issue," he said. "Ethics reforms are window dressing to the central issue of getting good, competent, decent people to run."

The ordinances will take effect as a new council takes shape in January.

Wilde said time will tell if they prove effective.

"A lot of people are going to be skeptical and say, 'We'll wait to see if this makes a difference.' "

djensen@sltrib.com