So goes the latest version of the Salt Palace expansion bill, which the Senate approved 19-10Â on Monday.

Killed late last week, the revived version of Senate Bill 211 allows the capital city to determine its portion of the funding pie as long as Salt Lake County officials agree.

The compromise, added by sponsoring Sen. Michael Waddoups, R-Taylorsville, probably will prevent a property tax increase for Salt Lake City residents or a cut in city services.

But lawmakers from outlying counties, who voted against the bill, are not happy to lose most of their car-rental tax revenues, which will be used for convention center construction if the measure clears the House.

"The current bill is a tax increase on Davis, Weber and Utah counties," complained Sen. Dave Thomas, R-South Weber.

That burden - the statewide car rental portion is $500,000 - was tweaked Monday by Sen. Sheldon Killpack, R-Syracuse.

His amendment boosts the tax distribution from 70 percent staying at the point of sale (mostly in Salt Lake County) to 85 percent.

Waddoups says the latest version gives the project enough money to work.

"It's not my first choice, but like he said, I think we're all giving a little," Waddoups said.

Salt Lake County leaders think they are giving the most. Under the changes, the county must pull revenue from other projects to meet the balance of the Salt Palace's $82 million upgrade.

County Councilman Mark Crockett, who still would like to see the state contribute, says the burden to the county is "going to be really hard."

"Right now, this is over our line," Crockett said. "This is something like $10 million more than what we bargained for."

County officials also worry that the bill's language could delay the expansion just long enough to prevent contractors from meeting construction deadlines set by the Outdoor Retailer convention - their most lucrative contract and the driving force behind the Salt Palace makeover.

Lawmakers and lobbyists expect more changes to the bill on the House floor today.

---

Tribune reporter Thomas Burr contributed to this story.