Up to four other council members - out of seven - are considering the chase. And that makes this year's budget talks more political than usual.

There is more grandstanding, for one thing. Some council members are pushing their own initiatives. And they all will have to take a stand on Mayor Rocky Anderson's proposals - votes that could help or hurt them in a mayoral race.

Anderson plans to decide in the coming weeks whether he will seek a third term.

"There's been as many as five people on the council at least think about it," noted Council Chairman Dave BuhÂler, a former mayoral contender who says he is inclined to try again for the top job. He has all but told at least one other council member he will run. "If you could get in the heads of U.S. senators and find out if they were thinking of running for president, you'd probably find quite a few that have thought about it," he said.

For political junkies, the mayoral maneuverings can make for some fun viewing at City Hall.

"It is interesting, and at times it's kind of almost laughable, in our council meetings," said Councilwoman Jill Remington Love, who hasn't "closed the door" on running for mayor but is leaning against it. "People are taking an extra shot - I don't want to use the word grandstanding - than they otherwise would."

An example came Tuesday, when council members debated Anderson's proposal to tack a 50-cent-per-vehicle tax on parking lots that serve public buildings such as the Main Library, Gallivan Center, Franklin Covey Field and the Matheson Courthouse.

"Somebody's going to call it the Rocky tax, a Rocky surcharge to come to the city," said Buhler, who later called the proposed fee "bizarre" and "stupid." He also made a point of noting that Anderson was absent. The mayor is in New York attending a global-warming conference.

In other budget discussions, Buhler demanded Anderson's staff acknowledge the mayor had switched positions on how to fund youth programs. In the past, the city spent $150,000 a year on them "with the promise that would be all," Buhler said. The mayor wants to double the city's contribution this year because the city will be losing federal support for the program in 2008.

While a Youth City employee initially conceded the shift in position, the administration now says there was no switch and that the additional money is needed to ensure the program's future.

Buhler insists his decisions - and jabs - aren't aimed at the 2007 race. "I'm really trying to make all my decisions based on what I think is best. If you try to make decisions based on political considerations, it's going to come back to bite you."

Councilman Eric Jergensen, who also is weighing a stab at the mayor's chair, maintains fiscal finessing will trump in any political posturing.

"I suspect the budget will be done carefully and with little political interference," he said. "I don't think everything can be attributed to a mayoral race next year."

Carlton Christensen, another potential mayoral candidate, said "everything is political," but doesn't expect to see the real election antics until next year. "It will creep its head in before that final election."

Still, council members will pile up a record this year for voters to track. Anderson's budget - which is hardly apolitical, Buhler said - calls for a $9.5 million hike in property taxes or fees. The mayor also wants $1.5 million to expand the former Main Library for The Leonardo at Library Square, $2 million to buy land for an east-side police precinct and a $36.4 million bond for a new fleet facility, to bring City Creek to the surface west of The Gateway and to fix the Grant Tower railroad tracks downtown.

But Pioneer Park may be the most fascinating political battleground.

Anderson wants to put at least $4.7 million into renovating the image-tarred playground. Council members have agreed to $1.1 million and most balk at spending any more, though the mayor is asking for another $400,000 this year. Anderson's staff has residents lobbying the council on his plan, which would add a stage, cafe and historic elements in the park.

Instead, Saxton - whose district includes Pioneer Park and who announced Monday she is running for mayor - says she has enough votes to steer up to $50,000 toward horse-mounted police patrols in Pioneer and Liberty parks for 30 hours a week. She argues the horses would enable police to better crack down on drug deals at the downtown park, and the novelty of the horses would draw visitors.

"I really want the citizens in Salt Lake City to take back this park. I just don't agree it takes a $6 million face-lift to do it," Saxton said. "The problem is the perceived or real reputation of the park, and I want to change that."

Anderson labels Saxton's idea "loony" and counters there are better ways to spend police funds. After the money goes to the horse-mounted patrols, he adds, there would be "nothing to show for it [at the park] except a better-manured lawn. I care enough about Pioneer Park that I'm going to outlast people like Nancy Saxton and make certain that happens one way or another. . . . Maybe I'll run again."

He may have lots of company.

hmay@sltrib.com