Sandy's Economic Development Director Randy Sant said Tuesday he's "fully convinced" the county will chip in for the $10 million in property tax rebates that Sandy has promised RSL. Sandy's Community Development Area is expected to be placed before the County Council next month.
But five of the council's nine members say they're inclined to turn down the project. Last year, the Legislature went over their heads to snatch $35 million of the county's hotel taxes for the soccer venue.
"I think we already put in quite a bit," County Councilman Mark Crockett said last week, explaining why he plans to vote "no" on Sandy's CDA. His council colleagues, David Wilde, Jenny Wilson, Jim Bradley and Joe Hatch, also said they were leaning his way.
Without the county's participation, Sandy can offer only $4 million more to RSL, Sant told the City Council on Tuesday. The money would come from new property taxes generated by the stadium's development and collected by Sandy and other taxing entities.
It will be up to RSL to plug the $6 million gap, Sant said. Sandy's promise of $10 million was made on the condition of getting the county's share of stadium property taxes. The city's Redevelopment Agency plans to issue the bonds - in whatever amount can be garnered from the CDA - on or before July 1.
Last month, RSL owner Dave Checketts said the CDA money is critical in bringing the 20,000-seat stadium in "on time" and "on budget." The franchise is shooting for an October opener against David Beckham's Los Angeles Galaxy, Sant said.
The team also needs to sell a 6.5-acre parcel adjoining the stadium, at 9256 S. State St., to shore up its construction funds, Sant told the City Council.
He said a developer interested in building an expanded entertainment district around the stadium might pick up the parcel.
Despite a lack of county enthusiasm, Sant expects at least five County Council members to vote for the stadium CDA.
"I don't care what they've said to anybody. When it's put on the agenda they will have to go on record," he said. "We believe [investing new property taxes in the stadium] meets their economic development goals."
rwinters@sltrib.com
Sandy needs Salt Lake County's support to deliver $10 million in property tax rebates to Real Salt Lake for its soccer stadium. But at least five of the county's nine council members are poised to say "no."
Likely to vote "no"
* Jenny Wilson: "I'm unwilling to go there."
* Jim Bradley: "Generally, 'no.' But I need to hear some more details."
* Joe Hatch: "I'm not going to just blindly support this. I don't like [the stadium deal] to begin with."
* Mark Crockett: No.
* David Wilde: "There is barely a glimmer of light there. I am very unlikely to support that."
Possible "yes" votes
* Randy Horiuchi: "I'm inclined to be supportive."
* Michael Jensen: "I will be willing to look at it. There's no bad blood for me."
* Jeff Allen: "This does have a regional impact for the county and would benefit all county residents."
* Marvin Hendrickson: "I'm going to give it some consideration, [but] I didn't feel real good about the whole soccer situation."
