County leaders are still considering adding a bond question on the Living Planet Aquarium to the ballot, but with the election only three months out, many say it's not likely.

"I guess anything is possible, but it's not very probable," said County Council Chairman Steve Harmsen. "I'd be real surprised" if either got on the ballot.

Supporters of the aquarium want to build a $46.7 million facility near downtown Salt Lake City. But with such a daunting price tag, they want taxpayers to cover $30 million of the bill.

As for fluoride, its critics argue that the voters in 2000 - a majority of whom agreed to include the additive - did not know the real costs or issues surrounding fluoridated water. Several cities and small water companies have requested a re-vote.

That's not likely.

First off, state law says that a county can vote again on fluoride four years after it appears on the ballot. But since the 2000 election was on Nov. 7 and this year's election is Nov. 2, the issue cannot be included, according to Clerk Sherrie Swensen.

Council members aren't that interested, either.

"You can't just keep having referendums until you get what you want," Councilman Jim Bradley said. "The people have spoken, the expense has been paid."

Besides a slate of candidates - from president to county mayor to school board - this November's ballot also includes a question of whether to renew Zoo, Arts and Parks tax. A recent poll by The Salt Lake Tribune showed overwhelming support to renew the ZAP tax and a mixed reception for the $30 million aquarium bond. The bond would mean a property tax hike of about $5 on a $175,000 home.

Aquarium officials - who already have a preview exhibit at The Gateway, near downtown Salt Lake City - say the time is right and they are still pushing to allow voters to choose.

"There's obviously public interest," says aquarium President Brent Andersen, pointing to the more than 30,000 visitors to the smaller preview since it opened two months ago, and a petition by more than 3,000 people to put it on the ballot.

"It's a long political process," Andersen says. "You've got to talk to everybody and get them to feel comfortable."

Councilman Michael Jensen says it's a "long-shot" either issue will get a ballot spot.

"Boy, as the months progress and we haven't heard a lot of follow-up from the groups pushing them, I think the chances diminish every day that it will make it on the ballot," Jensen said. He added that by the time the council investigates the issues further, debates them and passes all the legal requirements, it may be too late to print the ballots for November's election.

Andersen hopes to get on the ballot soon and begin to convince voters that the aquarium would improve the culture of Salt Lakers. He dismisses concerns that it would be difficult for him to woo voters with fewer than three months to go.

"Just because you think it's a challenge, doesn't mean you shouldn't try," he said.