Props. 1, 2, incumbents gain

In spite of an environment of national and local economic uncertainty, Salt Lake County voters seem ready to absorb some nominal property tax increases in support of improvement projects at two family-friendly, longtime Salt Lake institutions — Hogle Zoo and Tracy Aviary.

A Deseret News/KSL-TV poll conducted Oct. 24-30 among 498 respondents found a 59-33 percent margin in favor of the aviary's $19.6 million Proposition 1 and a 68-28 percent majority in support of the zoo's $33 million Proposition 2. The results have a 4.5 percent plus or minus margin of error.

Representatives from both camps were pleased to hear the positive numbers, but both campaigns said they will be continuing to work to garner support right up to Election Day. Hogle Zoo's community relations director, Holly Braithwaite, said a busy weekend is ahead.

"We're cautiously optimistic and we're still out there ... still trying to get our message to people," Braithwaite said. "Saturday we'll be walking the streets in precincts all around Salt Lake County."

Tracy Aviary spokesman Paul Svendsen said his group would continue to talk to voters, and he said he feels the public is acknowledging that the aviary is worthy of their support.

"Even after seeing the poll numbers, we're taking nothing for granted," Svendsen said. "We're pleased that our message of the very serious needs of the aviary has hit home ... and we'll be knocking on doors and continuing to work to get the word out."

Both the zoo and aviary bonds require the institutions to obtain a requisite amount of private financing before their public funding can be issued. For the zoo, the contribution must be $11 million and for the aviary, $1.5 million.

The zoo has slated their bond for a new arctic exhibit and the first phase of a home for animals of the African savannah. The aviary will be renovating aging exhibits, adding indoor space and adding new exhibits.

The real cost, in terms of increases to yearly property tax bills for Salt Lake County homeowners, comes in at about $2.50 annually for the aviary bond and about $4 for the zoo bond on homes valued at $235,000. Both instituions have touted their contributions as affordable, family-centric recreation and education facilities that play a strong part in the community and whose roles could become even more significant during times when residents are likely to stay close to home and are looking to stretch their recreation budgets.

The Utah Taxpayer's Association has weighed-in against both bonds, suggesting that the tax revenues could be better directed elsewhere.

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E-mail: araymond@desnews.com