KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Mayor Kay Barnes accused mayoral candidate Mark Funkhouser of slanting his auditor's work to help his campaign, KMBC's Micheal Mahoney reported.

In a news conference on Wednesday, Barnes also criticized Funkhouser's professional objectivity as auditor and his motives during his final months on the job. The mayor also attacked the editorial page of the Kansas City Star and the current city auditor for his work on the TIF report.

Mahoney reported that rarely has the mayor been so angry in public.

The mayor was defending the tax incentive program called tax increment financing, also known as TIF. Barnes said TIF has been essential in reviving downtown.

Mayoral candidate Al Brooks agrees with Barnes, but Funkhouser has said the city uses TIF too much.

Funkhouser is the former city auditor, and Barnes accused him of preparing his campaign from the auditor's office.

"It's been very clear, for at least the last year, he has not had professional objectivity while in the office," Barnes said.

"She can say whatever she wants to say about me. And she'll say anything to keep me from getting elected," Funkhouser said.

Earlier, Funkhouser accused City Hall of squelching an unflattering report on TIF projects. A draft of the report showed that the city isn't getting its money's worth from TIF.

TIF supporters said the report is filled with errors.

The report was originally due last summer but was delayed several times, Mahoney reported.

Funkhouser, who retired in November, is accused of using his auditor contacts to hold the TIF report until just before the March 27 mayoral election.

"Believe me, it would have been a lot better for my campaign if it had been out (last) June," Funkhouser said.

"It's Mr. Funkhouser's audit. And I believe that it's not a coincidence that it's being released at this time," Brooks said.

Another version of the TIF report will be released later this week.