Simple arithmetic says 30 bucks. But, in political calculation, it could be the balance between bad and good government.

Salt Lake County Council members wrestled with that question Tuesday when they debated a proposal to lower the gift cap for county officials from $50 to $20. The proposed ethics change - which could face a final vote June 7 - also would limit acceptance of such gifts to four times a year.

Even if the council opts for $20, Councilman Jim Bradley noted, conflicts still would exist.

"I can go to lunch with an interest group but have to order a hamburger instead of a steak," he said. "Or I can go to the university, but have to sit in the end zone, not the box seat."

It's all "nickel-and-dime stuff," Bradley said.

But the small change makes a big difference, countered new Councilwoman Jenny Wilson. The amounts of the gifts matter, she said. "The parameters are really key."

Wilson reminded her colleagues that similar debates are raging in Congress over Majority Whip Tom DeLay, R-Texas. And Councilman Randy Horiuchi recalled the ethics furor over financial dealings brokered by former Salt Lake City Mayor Deedee Corradini.

Councilman Mark Crockett argued that even token gifts often pay dividends in politics. He said elected officials would be "better off" billing the county for all travel and using their discretionary budgets for meals.

"If it falls in that gray area," he said, "I'd advocate an absolute ban."

That would mean no more dining at fancy luncheons. No more pricey theater tickets. No more catered receptions.

Just this week, Councilman Marv Hendrickson received dignitary passes to Lagoon in his county mailbox. The $32 tickets would exceed the lower limit.

While the Lagoon handout clearly would cross an ethical and geographic line - the park is in Davis County, after all - Hendrickson says, "There's a fine line between what is and what isn't political."

Councilman Joe Hatch criticized what he called the "puritanical" or "laissez faire" extremes of the gift question. The rules cannot be black and white - "How do you legislate against somebody's heart?" he asked - so they have to fall somewhere in between.

Hatch warned that larger conflicts loom when council members are tempted by political favors in their professional lives. Those practicing law, for instance, must be careful when selecting clients.

Even so, Horiuchi suggested that politicians who sin tend to get exorcised at the ballot box.

"Even with parameters," he said, "the public needs to look for moral fabric in their candidates."

Bradley agreed.

"Standing for elections is ultimately the check we all have to deal with," he said. "If I'm a thief . . . sooner or later I'm going to get caught and the people are going to throw me out."

djensen@sltrib.com

Punier perks

What a county official can accept under the $50 gift limit versus the proposed $20 cap:

A midfield chair at a Real Salt Lake soccer game ($32) or be relegated the north bleachers ($14).

A New York steak at the New Yorker ($31) instead of the butternut squash ravioli ($16.99).

A center-front spot for the Utah Symphony's "Patriotic Favorites" concert in June at Sundance ($44) or lawn seating ($20).

In other S.L. County action:

The council formalized a ban preventing county officials from hiring or supervising relatives. However, the restriction did not extend to friends, which Deputy District Attorney Gavin Anderson called "impossible to define."

The council also prohibited county personnel from using county resources for campaigning. The rule already exists in part, but the new measure is "stricter, cleaner," according to Councilwoman Jenny Wilson.

A routine transit hearing turned tense when Utah Transit Authority Advisory Board Chairwoman Bonnie Fernandez told the council its UTA board nominee had once asked why there are so many homosexuals in management at the transit agency.

She also criticized him for being "anti-transit."

The nominee, Stuart Richardson, sitting just a few feet from Fernandez, said "those comments are just totally not where I'm at."

The council voted 5-1 to shift the selection back to the Conference of Mayors, which must now make a recommendation.

Two financial committees were created, encompassing members of the Mayor's Office, along with representatives from the auditor, treasurer, County Council, district attorney, sheriff's and budget staff. One committee will focus on how to streamline the annual budget process, involving council members at an earlier point. The other will address fiscal controls blamed for the county's recent run of scandals.

Language in the Tuition Reimbursement Policy was tweaked to solidify the personnel director as ultimate arbiter on tuition appeals. Beginning this fall, employees also may receive up to $5,000 per year for tuition. The amount was adjusted up from the $3,000 limit.

A vote to prohibit county employees from using cell phones while driving was postponed until June 7.