Anderson is asking council members their opinions about the London trip - the mayor is traveling there in December to compete for a World Leadership Award for the city's environmental programs - considering they questioned his recent Olympic-related trip to Turin, Italy, site of the 2006 Winter Games.
"We have encouraged him to use public funds," Councilman Carlton Christensen said Thursday. "If it's truly a public purpose, you're better off [using] taxpayer dollars than to go out and fund-raise."
Councilwoman Nancy Saxton agrees, particularly in light of Anderson's gift ban. He forbids city employees from accepting meals and other gifts.
"What's going to have more influence on us: a cup of coffee or a trip to London?" Saxton asked. "He pays his own way into a [speaking] event with dinner. Then there are people who pay for the [Turin] trip, people who pay for his trip to London [which are worth] thousands of dollars. I don't know what kind of sense that makes. Yet the mayor feels very strongly it isn't additional influence."
A flight from Salt Lake City to London on Delta would cost at least $800.
Anderson's chief of staff, Sam Guevara, said the expected donors won't have extra sway on the mayor's office. "Absolutely not. We're still going to be asking donors [for money], and we're always going to be trying to save money for the taxpayers."
Salt Lake City is one of three finalists competing for an environmental award through the nonprofit World Leadership Forum. The mayor and two employees who work on environmental issues will travel to London to present the city's green initiatives - reducing greenhouse gases, promoting alternative transportation and protecting open space - to a panel of judges. The city will compete against Calgary, Canada, and Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
Anderson already raised money from WordPerfect co-founder Bruce Bastian for the $5,240 presentation fee that all finalists must pay.
Because of the fee, some council members have questioned the value of the award.
The mayor said the trip will aid the city, believing the publicity will boost its image and encourage other cities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. He said such fees - which also covers a table at the award ceremony - are typical for nonprofit events.
Government watchdog Claire Geddes would prefer the city pay for the trip. But she's more concerned about the dearth of praise for Anderson.
"Our image in the world has just plummeted. I can't imagine that people aren't thrilled to death to see the United States in a positive light somewhere. In light of the way we spend money in this state, I'm amazed we're nickel-and-diming this to death. This seems to me to be very petty."
