Greg Curtis calls it "bad policy" for Salt Lake County to horde all $20 million of its municipal services balance and not rebate a portion to the new city, whose residents paid into the fund before Cottonwood Heights incorporated. "I did not want to interject myself," Curtis said Monday. "But I was hoping they would negotiate this in good faith."

And if county leaders don't bend, the issue could reach Capitol Hill. "If [county officials] just flat say, 'We're not doing anything,' ” Curtis said, "I'd have to start talking to my colleagues."

The House speaker - who represents parts of Cottonwood Heights and Sandy - has been a major force in backroom maneuvers to tap county coffers to bring a Major League Soccer stadium to Sandy.

Last week, county leaders all but rejected Cottonwood Heights' request for at least $4 million, arguing it could lead to a future tax increase for residents of the unincorporated county.

A committee - composed of county leaders - has agreed to examine the issue and make a recommendation by June 7.

Chief Administrative Officer Doug Willmore, who warns the county's municipal services budget could be in deficit by 2009, calls such a payment unfair.

But Cottonwood Heights Mayor Kelvyn Cullimore maintains the reserve funds not only mean a windfall for the county, but also amounts to "double taxation."

"I'm frustrated because I think we've tried to approach this in good faith," he said. "And I think this last week, it's been totally politi- cized."

Enter Curtis.

Though the Republican House speaker has no specific legislation in mind, he clearly thinks it is "inappropriate" for the county to withhold the money.

Still, when the County Council last met, Auditor Sean Thomas suggested the county could face "retribution" from a Legislature strongly tied to Cottonwood Heights.

"Consider that fact as you make this decision," Thomas said last week.

The remark drew groans from the County Council.

Councilman Mark Crockett, who represents Cottonwood Heights and will serve on the committee, said Monday paying some amount is fair. But he said the city's claim to $4 million is "not very persuasive."

"Our first duty is to unincorporated residents," he said.

Crockett says options may include offering credits for county services or helping the new city purchase assets such as two school properties facing closure.

In any case, Cullimore, who expects to lobby the Legislature again next year if Curtis' influence falls short, bristles at any characterization of a handout.

"Residents paid that money to receive services," he said. "This is a double taxation of the first degree."