The Associated Press

INDIANAPOLIS - Sixty percent of respondents in a media-sponsored poll opposed Mayor Bart Peterson's willingness to boost public spending $10 million or more annually to prevent the Indianapolis Colts from leaving the city.

But a slim majority would support a tax increase on car rentals and hotel and restaurant bills to help keep the NFL franchise, according to the poll commissioned by The Indianapolis Star and television station WTHR.

The poll of 400 Marion County voters touched on a key issue in Tuesday's election race between Peterson, a Democrat widely expected to win a second four-year term, and County Treasurer Greg Jordan. The Republican challenger has criticized Peterson's willingness to increase public spending on the team.

Poll respondents were telephoned Oct. 24-27 and asked, "Do you approve or disapprove of paying $10 million more per year to the Colts?"

Sixty percent indicated they disapproved, with 28 percent approving and 12 percent saying they had no opinion, according to results released Sunday.

The poll, conducted by Market Shares Corp., had a margin of error of plus or minus 5 percentage points.

Respondents also were asked whether they would support raising more revenue to keep the Colts in Indianapolis through a tax increase on car rentals and hotel and restaurant bills. Fifty-four percent approved, with 36 percent disapproving and 11 percent reporting no opinion.

Peterson and the Colts have said it could take $10 million or more annually to close an escape clause in the Colts' RCA Dome lease. The clause could allow the team to leave Indianapolis after the 2006 season.

Peterson has been negotiating with the Colts for months to reach a new long-term deal. The two sides began formal negotiations last November as rumors swirled that the Colts were moving to Los Angeles.

Both Peterson and team owner Jim Irsay say they are working toward a deal to keep the team here beyond 2014, which is when the lease expires.

Other recent polls have indicated heavy opposition to more public spending to keep the Colts in town, despite the team's strong start in this year's NFL season.

City and team officials were pleased to see a possible break in that trend. They cited the willingness by respondents in the most recent poll to consider higher car rental, hotel and restaurant taxes.

But Colts Senior Executive Vice President Pete Ward warned against reading too much into the poll, as the responses could change week to week based on whether the team is winning or losing.