During a frenetic meeting Tuesday, the County Council - huddling with Mayor Peter Corroon - roared, recessed, then barely resisted scuttling Senate Bill 211, which provides a complex mechanism to raise $82 million for upgrading the Salt Palace Convention Center and South Towne Expo Center.

"I don't know if anyone knows the precipice of what we're sitting on," Democratic Councilman Randy Horiuchi said. "It's erupted here today."

An unusual alliance of Republicans and Democrats agreed the county must send a "clear message" that the bill forces the county to cough up too much while the state pays zilch.

The measure's sponsor, Rep. Michael Waddoups, R-Taylorsville, said late Tuesday he had not been contacted by the county, but doesn't expect the state to pony up, especially with the legislative session ending tonight at midnight.

"We've spent all of our money," Waddoups said. "I thought I was doing them a favor. But if they don't want it, it's easy enough to kill it."

The latest version of SB211 leaves $30 million to be paid by the county, which could deprive senior centers, theaters, tourism, the opera and open space, according to GOP County Councilman Mark Crockett, who panned the bill.

"It has grave problems," said Corroon, the Democratic mayor who told council members that if they think it's a bad deal, "kick the ball."

Then, "I guess the parking garage [being built at the Salt Palace] will collect a lot of ivy."

Democratic Councilwoman Jenny Wilson says the state has "dropped the ball" on the bill, which awaits final action today.

"It's worse than disappointing," she said.

Fellow Democrat Jim Bradley called the negotiations "demeaning" and said at some point the county needs to walk away.

"We get financially and politically abused by a Legislature that doesn't know what the hell they're doing," he said.

So far, the county has paid $15 million for Phase One of the Salt Palace expansion. The bill gives it taxing authority to collect an additional $25 million through a 1 percent increase in the county's hotel tax.

Salt Lake City would fork over $12 million - through a hike in the innkeeper tax - but would be given flexibility to avoid draining its general fund. And a late amendment changes the $250,000 in tax revenue from car rentals to be split 85-15 between Salt Lake County and other counties. Sandy, originally on the hook for $150,000 and home to the Expo Center, would pay nothing.

In an eleventh-hour move, the County Council voted 6-2 to send a team of negotiators to meet today with House Speaker Greg Curtis, R-Sandy. They hope to save the convention center deal - critical to keeping the lucrative Outdoor Retailer convention, which pumps an estimated $32 million into the economy each year.

Just last week, the Salt Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau booked the National Recreation and Park Association convention, expected to draw 9,000 attendees in 2009. Without the expansion, Utah would lose $214 million in visitor spending from that convention, according to bureau spokesman Jason Mathis.

Auditors from Salt Lake County say money to pay for the expansion could be found, but the council must spend wisely or risk losing its coveted Triple-A bond rating.

Democratic Councilman Joe Hatch remained optimistic.

"The Legislature has acted like children," he said. "Salt Lake City has acted like a child. Salt Lake County has been the adult."

Convention officials hope they are not the stepchild.

djensen@sltrib.com