A unanimous vote Tuesday put this hot potato back into the county's hands. Essentially the City Council agreed to lease the land to the county for $1 a year, and let the county design, build and maintain this west-side pooch playground.

"If the county wants to determine how it's built, I'd personally like to see them take control of it and build what they have in mind," said West Jordan Councilwoman Melissa Johnson, frustrated with the way the process had played out.

"Every time we send it [the city's proposal] back to the county, it comes back differently," Johnson said. "I think it's unfortunate we all can't just sit down together in a room and talk about it. I don't see any resolution until we reach consensus."

Earlier this year, the county agreed to give West Jordan $400,000, stipulating that the bulk of it be used for a dog park on 3.9 city-owned acres at 6000 W. New Bingham Highway.

Last month, city officials - hoping to get the most bang for their buck - submitted a bare bones dog-park design for county approval with a baseline price tag of $217,000. The intent was to funnel any extra funds toward a skate park.

The county approved the city's design, contingent on the following additions: complete compliance with the American Disabilities Act, more parking, a paved loop path, pet spray-off station, more waste receptacles and bag dispensers, more benches, regulatory signage and small shelters.

These extra amenities would increase the dog park's cost by an estimated $50,000.

The county also suggested adding a fenced lawn area, adding that a restroom, if too costly, should be added later.

"My personal concern would be the upkeep of those extra amenities," Johnson said.

Councilman Mike Kellermeyer said he reluctantly voted with the rest of the council "just to get the thing to move."

"It's a little frustrating. With construction costs on the rise, the dog park will cost more as we put it off," Kellermeyer said.

Kellermeyer disagreed with Johnson's concerns over maintenance.

"We already maintain the baseball complex right next door and mow the lawns there," he said. "I don't think this will fly with the county. They'll have to send someone out to shovel the walks in the winter."

The move to the county would please West Jordan resident Tony McGuire. For more than a year, he has spearheaded the drive to get a bark park on Salt Lake Valley's west side, and he believes the facility could fare better under county control.

"I'm praying the county will agree to exactly what the city said. It's actually a great turn of events if they will," McGuire said. "The issue is how long will it take the county to ramp up?"

cmckitrick@sltrib.com