The Tracy Aviary also asked the council to put a bond on the ballot Tueday. But Aviary officials escaped with barely a scratch, with a much less-burdensome restriction in order to get $19.3 million in bond money from the county.

If voters approve the bond, the aviary will get $13.5 million right away. But in order to get another $5 million, aviary officials must raise $1.5 million in private funds.

"It's not easy, we have our work cut out for us," said Pete Taylor, who serves on the aviary board. "They gave us a step forward that we think we can work with and move forward."

The aviary needs $19.3 million just to meet the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' accreditation standards.

If approved, the aviary bond would raise property taxes $2.51 a year for 15 years on a $235,000 home.

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E-mail: ldethman@desnews.com