There are all kinds of reasons not to do this. The economy is in the doldrums, gasoline is $4 a gallon and the mortgage crisis has put pressure on people who are in danger of losing their own homes.
The bond issues aren't peanuts, either. The zoo wants $65 million, the aviary $19.3 million.
Salt Lake City folks know that a big bond issue for a new public safety complex is probable in the near future, and cities elsewhere in Salt Lake County, including West Jordan and West Valley City, are mulling property tax hikes. But who better to decide whether to raise taxes for the animals than the taxpayers themselves? They can judge whether they want to pony up higher property taxes for parrots and polar bears and the children who learn from seeing them.
Plus, because November's election will be the presidential variety, there should be a large voter turnout. That would give legitimacy to the verdict of the voters. All Salt Lake County voters would have a say, and taxes would be increased countywide if the bond issues passed.
Utah's Hogle Zoo, located at the mouth of Emigration Canyon, would use the money to create a habitat that would mimic the African savanna for lions, rhinos and giraffes and an arctic exhibit for polar bears and seals. A new health center would be built to care for the animals and help train veterinarians. Other proposed projects include a living classroom to teach about the diversity of life, parking improvements and a conservation resource center.
The zoo would add $20 million in private contributions to the $65 million.
Tracy Aviary, located in Salt Lake City's Liberty Park, is trying to climb out of a long downward spiral of decaying exhibits that caused it to lose its accreditation from the American Zoological Association two years ago. It proposes to remake its south pavilion into a walk-through rain forest and create a new complex for birds from Mexico and Central America.
The zoo and aviary both receive funds from the county's Zoo, Arts and Parks tax. The zoo got a $10 million bond issue from Salt Lake City in 2003 that it used to build new homes for its elephants and big cats.
Is now the time to pour public capital into new homes for exotic animals? The County Council should place the decision in voters' hands.
