Hogle Zoo bond won't be on November ballot

The Salt Lake County Council opted Thursday to not let voters decide in November whether to issue a multimillion-dollar bond to pay for improvements at Hogle Zoo.

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

During a meeting Thursday, however, the council discussed asking the public to vote on a $35 million bond with a stipulation that Hogle Zoo raise $10 million in private funds in order to get $30 million more at a later date.

That proposal did not gain approval by the council, however.

If the $65 million zoo bond proposal would have been placed on the ballot and approved, county property taxes would have gone up by about $10 on a $250,000 home.

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E-mail: ldethman@desnews.com