And they are loudest in the halls of Salt Lake County government.

Officials there worry the $18 million they helped secure for parking at the South Towne Exposition Center from the Legislature could be hijacked to buy land for the new 25,000-seat venue kitty-corner at 9400 S. State St.

Fair? More like a foul, say Republican and Democratic County Council members.

"To date, there has not been a public review of the $18 million for soccer stadium land," says Councilwoman Jenny Wilson, adding that if the purchase happens, it constitutes public financing. "The public needs to know that."

Wilson may request a review from the District Attorney's Office to determine who holds the purse strings on that money, which many say Sandy used to elbow out Salt Lake City for the stadium.

Along the same lines, Councilman Joe Hatch is calling on state lawmakers to clarify the legislative intent for the cash.

But Councilman David Wilde fears the county may have unintentionally ceded control.

"We don't hold any cards," he says. "We've got powerful people in the Legislature telling us what they would like to see happen. We would be powerless to say, 'No.' ''

Real Salt Lake executives have given few details about the stadium financing, although team owner Dave Checketts has said RSL's new home will be built with some combination of public-private funding.

On Wednesday, Checketts stood alongside Sandy Mayor Tom Dolan and Utah House Speaker Greg Curtis, a Sandy resident, at a news conference designed to sell the notion of soccer succeeding in suburbia. Still, he conceded the price tag for the stadium alone could reach $75 million.

As for money for the land, all the talk thus far has centered on tapping the $18 million set aside for parking at the county-owned Expo Center by building a much-cheaper surface lot instead of a terrace.

"It's on my agenda to start asking some questions," Councilman Jim Bradley said. "This was sold to me and others that we needed money for parking."

Convention organizers have long cited the need for more stalls at the booming Expo Center. Earlier this year, county leaders considered paving a surface lot nearby then building a bridge over State Street near 9400 South. They were told the parking shortage could be solved only with a multilevel structure next to the convention center.

That led to the parking package crafted at the Legislature as part of a funding bill to expand the Salt Palace Convention Center. In it, Salt Lake City agreed to kick in $8 million with $4 million more coming from the state.

Now, Salt Lake City leaders are suggesting the city seek a partial refund - $2 million of their $8 million was designated for parking - an idea supported by multiple members of the County Council.

County Councilman Mark Crockett wonders if locating a surface lot nearly a half-mile away, across two busy streets could deter convention business.

"I'm not sure whether this solves the parking problem, which was the original justification for the money," Crockett said.

He is compiling a list of questions for Mayor Peter Corroon to ask RSL.

Corroon says he has yet to see any formal proposals from the team for the $18 million, but "we know they will be asking."

"Greg Curtis is going to say, 'We want you to do this, and you are going to do this,' and we're pretty much bound," Wilde lamented.

As for the stadium location, Wilson noted she cannot deny Sandy has some appeal.

"It has the Utah version of night life: chain restaurants."

djensen@sltrib.com