It's misguided to think that free parking isn't as bad, Musci said.

"You shouldn't enjoy that perk because you're a city official unless it's part and parcel with city business," he said.

City officials have to make budgetary and policy decisions about the airport administration, including salaries, Musci said. Any perk could cloud their vision and create a conflict of interest. And there is an issue of fairness to the taxpayers who own the facility. All those taxpayers have to pay for parking, he said.

"It's an issue of fairness from the taxpayer's perspective," he said.

Salt Lake City Department of Airports spokeswoman Barbara Gann said the airport offers free parking to several city leaders, including the mayor and City Council. Free access is also given to U.S. senators and representatives, she said.

"The policy is that you can use it for personal use," Gann said.

Last week's free parking for the mayor wasn't his first.

Seed said the mayor regularly enjoys the free parking on all his travels, be they personal or business. Other city officials, including some City Council members, have also used the free parking for family vacations.

Councilman Van Turner is one city councilman who says he has never used the perk for personal trips.

"We don't leave a car in the parking lot," he said. "This is our family vacation."

Council member Eric Jergensen also said he has never taken advantage of free parking "for obvious reasons."

Other council members defended the policy by noting that city officials often call the office and check city e-mail while on family vacations. Later, however, those same council members agreed the policy may need to be changed.

"Maybe it's a problem because it does take from revenues that our enterprise fund would otherwise have," Councilwoman Jill Remington Love said.

Councilwoman Nancy Saxton, who said she has used the free parking several times, agreed, saying the policy "would be something that we should probably look at."

Musci said there's no question free parking for personal use should be abolished.

"It's wrong and needs to change," he said.

At the mayor's office, Seed said Anderson was wondering if reporters enjoyed free parking at City Hall — they do. Media aside, Seed said the administration may be open to change.

"If people feel it's an issue and elected officials shouldn't have free parking at the airport we could look at changing it," she said.

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E-mail: bsnyder@desnews.com