Once again, the Hogle Zoo's $65 million question will remain unanswered.

On Tuesday the Salt Lake County Council postponed a vote to place a $65 million bond on the November ballot. It's the second time this month the council has punted a decision on the bond proposal for the zoo.

Council members want to see what happens during today's Legislature special session — during which lawmakers won't talk about the zoo at all — before making a decision on the ballot question.

Lawmakers will, among other things, debate education funding, which could impact county residents' property taxes.

"It is about prioritization," Councilman Michael Jensen said. "I know the two issues shouldn't be linked, but politically they are linked because they are coming before a political body."

If the zoo bond is placed on the ballot and approved, county property taxes would go up by about $10 on a $250,000 home over the next 20 years.

Jensen said the county's west-side residents, who he represents, are already overburdened and are scraping by. Funding both the zoo and education reform at once could be too much to handle, he said.

"That's the difference between playing Little League football or not," Jensen said. "This could further in debt the folks out where I come from."

If lawmakers figure out what to do with education funding during today's special session, the County Council is scheduled to meet in a special session of its own to decide whether the zoo's $65 million request should be on the ballot.

Zoo officials want to build a new aquarium complex, a gorilla forest expansion, African savanna and large polar bear exhibits, a renovated penguin enclosure and an "enhanced" south entrance with 400 more parking spots.

"I can't vote for the zoo unless I know there is better education funding in place," County Council Chairman Mark Crockett said.

Zoo officials want to raise $85 million total for the project, with $20 million coming from private funds.

---

E-mail: ldethman@desnews.com