Its bottom line: Sandy would kick in millions more but own the stadium acreage. Such a scheme would free up county leaders to spread the bulk of new hotel-tax revenue between recreation projects and downtown tourism initiatives.

"This is a better balancing of county priorities," said Councilman Mark Crockett, who hatched the plan this week. "We ought to be able to go to residents with a straight face."

Crockett's concept, which must win five votes on the County Council to survive, calls for carving the hotel money into thirds, then treating the county's contribution to soccer - some $8 million to $10 million - like a Zoo, Arts and Parks allocation.

"I'm intrigued," said Councilman Michael Jensen, who cautioned the stadium slice of the bond may be on the low side. But, "I clearly love having more opportunities for [nonsoccer] amenities for our residents."

Sandy officials are mostly mum.

"It's kind of interesting, but we haven't seen it," Economic Development Director Randy Sant said Thursday. "Until we actually see all the numbers, I don't think we can comment."

Any such change - RSL wants $45 million in public money and has requested $35 in tourist tax from the county - hinges on the political will of county politicians. Crockett notes both Senate President John Valentine and House Speaker Greg Curtis earlier this year told The Tribune the county clearly controls the purse strings - despite moves made during the 2006 Legislature.

"We should take them at their word," Crockett said. "I believe the legislators when they say we should use our best discretion."

His proposal points out that the county already is providing $22 million for a Sandy parking structure, bumping the soccer-related sum to more than $30 million. Reinvesting two-thirds of the hotel tax, he notes, could allow for additional ZAP projects, such as a "Liberty Park" on the west-side, ball fields in Hunter and Taylorsville, a Millcreek community center, and perhaps a shooting range in Parleys Canyon. Those projects and others were cut from a preliminary ZAP recreation list, released earlier this week.

Still, the plan may not be realistic, says Doug Willmore, chief administrative officer.

"It starts to turn it into a political free-for-all," he said. "Our intent is to treat soccer as a stand-alone project."

Tom Love, a spokesman for RSL, was also dismissive of Crockett's proposal.

"Does it [also] earmark any money for nuclear-waste storage in the West Desert?" he joked, referring to Crockett's desire to get more bang for the county's buck. "Anything that varies from the path we've been pursuing, we'd be against it."

Part of the problem with RSL's current proposal however, is that the additional hotel tax will not flow until 2011, with the bulk coming after 2015. Willmore notes county Mayor Peter Corroon never would agree to make interest-only payments that long with no new revenue.

"The numbers don't work. To give them $35 million, we have to borrow 50 and pay 90."

County financial advisors also have cautioned that any bond amount above $20 million could threaten internal debt policies.

Crockett insists his plan would bring a better blend of responsibilities with benefits and would bring the county closer in line with stadium subsidies elsewhere in the United States.

"The concept is a good one and worthy to explore," said Councilman Cort Ashton, who represents the Sandy area where the stadium would be built.

Steve Lundgren, vice president of the Salt Lake Valley Lodging Association, said he applauds any direction that would apply at least a third of the hotel revenue back into that industry.

Crockett's plan suggests lumping three county bond initiatives - renewal of a $30 million bond for ZAP, the hotel tax and an open-space question - onto the November ballot. The proposal also could provide a reserve fund for maintenance of the Salt Palace and South Towne Expo Center, key vehicles for county tourism dollars.

"We'd certainly consider it," Corroon said. "But we'd have to comply with what the legislative intent was [when lawmakers authorized the hotel tax for the stadium] before we fund other projects."

Says Dave Delquadro, the council's fiscal analyst:

"What the council is trying to do is far-sighted and bold. But it seems like an awful lot to carry."

djensen@sltrib.com