Inaction kills zoo's chance for ballot bond

Legislative action Wednesday — or the lack thereof — on education killed Hogle Zoo's chances of a $65 million bond on the November ballot.

Since lawmakers didn't solve a school construction "equalization" problem during a special session Wednesday, Republicans on the Salt Lake County Council refused to put a property tax hike for the zoo on the ballot.

"I hate to start turning my head to figure out where I'm going to spend some more money, as wonderful and great as the zoo is," until the construction funding problem is solved, Councilman Jeff Allen said. "I think that we need to do something for them eventually, I just don't think now is the time."

The County Council is scheduled to vote on the zoo bond in a special meeting this afternoon. However, that might not happen, since "there won't be votes if there is not equalization. It would be pointless," Council Chairman Mark Crockett said. He then added that the council might owe zoo officials the courtesy of a public meeting to cast the no vote.

As of press time, the meeting was still scheduled.

Zoo officials on Wednesday hadn't given up hope that the $65 million bond would be on the ballot this November.

"We are absolutely hopeful," zoo spokeswoman Holly Braithwaite said. "The decision is out of our hands and in the hands of the council. We are planning on being there at 1:30 p.m. until we hear otherwise."

Councilman Joe Hatch said Wednesday he will insist the council meet Thursday to vote on the zoo bond.

Zoo officials wanted the $65 million 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. Zoo officials want to raise $85 million total for the project, with $20 million coming from private funds.

If the zoo bond was placed on the ballot and approved, county property taxes would have gone up by about $10 on a $250,000 home.

Councilman Jim Bradley blasted his Republican colleagues for not allowing the voters to weigh in on the $65 million bond.

"Somehow they feel that they either know more or have some higher sense of good or bad where they don't trust the people to put issues like this on the ballot," Bradley said. "It's the people's money."

The vote will likely fall along party lines, with the five Republicans voting against the $65 million bond.

"The zoo shouldn't be partisan, and it seems to have become that and it's really sad," Hatch said.

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E-mail: ldethman@desnews.com