Fate Of Hogle Zoo Bond To Be Decided Tuesday

None by Eric Ray

(KCPW News) Hogle Zoo will find out tomorrow if its $65 million bond request from Salt Lake County will make it to November's ballot. A vote on the bond was tabled by the Salt Lake County Council two weeks ago so several council members could attempt to rally more support. However, Councilman Randy Horiuchi says it's time to "fish or cut bait" during tomorrow's meeting.

Horiuchi says the possible postponement of a $192 million bond for new public safety facilities by Salt Lake City could sway some council members to vote in favor of the zoo bond. In addition, the council may require the zoo to raise some private funding before releasing any bond money. Zoo executives don't favor the idea, however Horiuchi says it's worth discussing if it garners votes in favor of putting the bond on the ballot.

If approved by the voters, the bond would raise property taxes ten to twenty dollars a year. Hogle Zoo would use the bond to upgrade its facilities with a new polar bear exhibit, an animal hospital and more parking, among other upgrades.

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