Ivory said his expertise in running a successful business — Ivory Homes — is one of his strongest points. He believes he can operate the county better than it has ever been managed.

Cook said drawing on both his congressional and business experience is his biggest advantage, saying that background "qualify him uniquely." He would take a salary but said it would be well worth the dollars.

Corroon wants to bring back trust to the office, saying ethical reforms would be his strong point.

Cook spoke firmly of hoping to consolidate Salt Lake County and city governments — even merging cities — to save tens of millions of dollars.

Ivory said he would leave the cities the way they are and simply get government closer to the people. Corroon favors coordinating growth. He believes aligning all the county planning, instead of consolidating the different government planners, would work just as well.

Regarding economic development, Ivory believes he understands development. Corroon wants the sales tax system reformed, while Cook feels consolidating cities would lead to less turf battles over economic development.

"I hope I'm the fix," Ivory said of unethical practices in county government. He feels the abuses have been around a long time.

Corroon said county employees are decent people and that the problem is with the administration.

"We need a set of easily understood guidelines for ethics," Cook said. He also wants to control developers who lean on elected officials.

In closing, Corroon said his varied background (planning, real estate, attorney) is perfect for a county mayor. Cook said he also wants to get better control over county budgets.

Ivory added he doesn't want his many campaign volunteers to relax, saying, "We're going out there into the neighborhoods."

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E-mail: aedwards@desnews.com; lynn@desnews.com