Judging by a straw poll, the Salt Lake County Council today will deny placing before voters a $34.3 million bond to build the aquarium.

"They haven't met the hurdles we've talked about several times over the years to put them on the ballot," Councilman Mark Crockett says.

That view is shared by a majority of council members, who point to their Debt Review Committee's finding that the inland sea attraction would need to be propped up by ongoing public money.

"I'm not inclined to do anything with an operating subsidy," Councilman Joe Hatch says.

Even if the bond flops today, aquarium officials say they may have options to plop a permanent location in Sandy. This spring, the aquarium's temporary exhibit was relocated from The Gateway in downtown Salt Lake City to 725 E. 10600 South in Sandy.

"Sandy and Mayor Tom Dolan are very interested in keeping it," says Tom Markuse, director of the aquarium board.

But a permanent home seems murky since the saltwater venue would require 90,000 square feet - more than twice the size of its temporary quarters.

Salt Lake County's financial committee found that an aquarium would indeed need an operations subsidy. But the panel also suggested it is a "credible" project that could draw "considerable" attendance.

The latter should not be ignored, notes Brent Andersen, founder and president for the aquarium.

"Our only hope now is the council members will see all the work we have done and let the voters decide," he says. "That's where it should be."

Council Chairman Cort Ashton says that is unlikely.

"We have higher priorities," he says.

Later this month, council members are expected to vote on whether to put an $895 million bond before voters for four new TRAX lines - to Draper, West Valley City, West Jordan/South Jordan and Salt Lake City International Airport.

They also are expected to place significant bonds for open space and Zoo, Arts and Parks projects on the ballot.

"It's probably a mistake to add [the aquarium] with all the other things," Councilman David Wilde says.

Councilman Jim Bradley says he informed aquarium brass their project probably would not make it to the voters' booth.

But Bradley notes the presentation was such that the Living Planet officials deserved an audience with the council - a meeting that appeared unlikely just weeks ago.

Late Monday, Markuse sounded resigned to the ballot reality when he said, "They're going to err on the conservative side, and I certainly do not blame them." But Markuse insists interest in the aquarium is on the rise.

More than 300,000 visitors looked at the preview exhibit, he notes, while attendance at the new Sandy location has surpassed the numbers drawn to The Gateway over the same period.

"With such a volume for such a small aquarium," Markuse says, "there is great interest for a world-class aquarium."

But to net public funds, officials may have to try again next year.

djensen@sltrib.com

What it would cost

If the Salt Lake County Council were to put a $34.3 million bond on this fall's ballot for the aquarium and if voters approved it, property taxes on a $200,000 home would increase by $5 per year.