Hogle Zoo Bond Fate Tied to Smaller School District Success

None by KCPW

(KCPW News) What do zoo animals and East-side school kids have in common? Well, their destinies are linked in the minds of several members of the Salt Lake County Council, including Mark Crockett:

"I would be opposed to property tax increases except for education or parks and trails," says Crockett. "Therefore, I can't vote for the zoo unless I think there's better school funding in place."
The County Council today delayed once more a decision on a 65-million dollar bond request from Utah's Hogle Zoo. Zoo officials say they need the money now to avoid escalating construction costs as they move forward with zoo improvements.

Crockett says he will only approve the zoo bond for November's ballot if lawmakers also approve a plan to equalize new school construction funding. That equalization should help voters better understand the impact school growth will have on their taxes. And Crockett believes that's crucial to making a good decision on the Hogle Zoo bond.

Skeptics say Crockett and others who support splitting the Jordan and Granite School districts are using the zoo bond as a pawn to get both on the ballot.

The County Council has scheduled an emergency meeting for Thursday at 1:30 p.m. to make a final decision on the Zoo bond.

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