As the City of Austin faces a $20 million budget shortfall, Councilmember Jennifer Kim's use of taxpayer dollars is becoming a campaign issue.

Kim's re-election opponent, Randi Shade, says Kim's office-related expenses are "outrageous."

Each councilmember has a budget of about $260,000 a year for the member's salary, staff salaries and other office-related expenses. Those expenses include city-related travel or office supplies.

A 2007 review by the Austin American-Statesman showed Kim spent more on office-related expenses than any other member, including Mayor Will Wynn.

A closer look at those expenses since 2005 include the following items:

-- $921 for a three-night stay at the W hotel in Manhattan

-- $700 for a membership to Continental Airlines' 'President's Club'

--$550 for a Sharper Image air purifier

--$400 for 20 copies of Discover Your Strengths

--$232 in Crane and Company brand stationary

--$86 in Vera Wang barware

--$67 for a Steam Wizard from The Sharper Image

--$59 each for "Executive Rollerball" pens from The Sharper Image

Kim defends her spending.

"I spend what I need to out of my budget to be able to do the job. And in the beginning, it was a brand new office, a brand new staff, there were a lot of things that we needed," Kim said.

But taxpayer watchdogs like Michael Quinn Sullivan say the items should be paid for out of Kim's own pocket.

"Councilmember Kim - and others - think it's appropriate to stick the taxpayers for a luxury. An absolute luxury," said Sullivan. "That's objectionable. That's morally offensive."

Kim is locked in a tight re-election battle against political newcomer Randi Shade. Shade has been calling for more transparency in city expenditures, including a searchable online database of all councilmember expenses.

"When you're working for the taxpayer, they should know how you're spending your time and your money, and it should always be for the benefit of the community at large in mind," said Shade.