Based on a straw poll, a proposal to funnel $40 million in old and new hotel taxes, along with $15 million from Sandy, toward Real Salt Lake's 20,000-seat soccer venue is expected to earn narrow approval in a council vote today.

It may mark a reversal from July's 5-4 shocker that plunged the stadium's fate - and decorum among leaders - into the disarray.

All that changed last Thursday with a new funding proposal from Councilman Joe Hatch that culminated on a frenetic Friday evening, during which the deal splintered then was patched, literally in the eleventh hour. Twelve hours later, otherwise-adversarial Utah leaders joined players from Real Madrid as RSL opted for a "big act of faith" groundbreaking at the Sandy stadium site near 9400 S. State St.

"I'm appreciative personally that saner heads prevailed," said Councilman Randy Horiuchi, who argues the new terms will reward residents with an array of projects. "It's much more attractive. [County Mayor Peter Corroon] being obstreperous certainly paid off for the county."

But details, including land ownership and a lease agreement, still must be squared.

Council Chairman Cort Ashton tweaked the county proposal Monday to guarantee RSL $20 million in new hotel taxes and allow that money to be used for land beneath the stadium, so long as RSL leases it from the county at "fair-market value."

"If they're not going to use the money for the [stadium] land, they can't use it for anything else," Corroon explained. "It's clear we have to own the land," and lease it to RSL.

Timing on those payments - and the amounts - still must be worked out, but county attorneys insist $1 per year wink-wink leases are not legal.

Corroon will huddle this afternoon with RSL owner Dave Checketts, but says he thinks the parties have "resolved any major issues."

Councilwoman Jenny Wilson, expected to be today's favorable swing vote, declared both sides "close enough" and says she is comfortable with the deal.

A big reason is Hatch, credited in county circles as soccer's funding savior - GOP brass labeled him a "statesman" - who hatched the plan to shift $20 million in parking revenue for the South Towne Expo Center across the street for the stadium. The move came two days before the team's self-imposed stadium deadline.

"It just made everything else workable," Wilson said. "It was the solution we were all looking for so we could have a win-win."

"Joe Hatch," added council aide Michael Chabries, "is singularly responsible for bridging the gap."

But nearly half the council is not sold, citing everything from price to politics to preferring to use hotel taxes on TRAX.

"These types of facilities should not be taxpayer funded," said Councilman Marv Hendrickson, lamenting it seems to be "the American way."

His GOP colleague David Wilde notes he has never seen such a nakedly political issue during his five-plus years on the council.

"That, I think, has turned the public off and it's turned me off," he said.

Indeed, polls taken during the two-year stadium saga show most residents oppose public funding for a stadium.

Corroon, who rejected RSL's first funding model, now finds himself on the other side. Reaction to the switch has been mixed, though the mayor consistently has said he could support a plan provided it is fiscally sound.

"Hopefully, [residents] realize I wouldn't accept another deal that didn't make sense," Corroon said. "This deal really provides a lot of benefits to the citizens, and the return is a lot more than the cost."

Hatch calls Corroon a hero in the stadium drama.

"There shouldn't be a backlash. He has saved tens of millions for the county."

Even so, the terms have environmental stewards vowing to crush the deal. Jeff Salt, executive director of Great Salt Lakekeeper, says RSL's $7.5 million pledge for soccer fields in northwest Salt Lake City shows "total disregard" for the nearby Jordan River.

"We're enraged by this last-minute, backroom wheeling and dealing," Salt said. "They're using the river as a poker chip."

djensen@sltrib.com

How they plan to vote

Cort Ashton - Yes

Jim Bradley - No

Mark Crockett - No

Joe Hatch - Yes

Marv Hendrickson - No

Randy Horiuchi - Yes

Michael Jensen - Yes

David Wilde - Leaning no

Jenny Wilson - Yes

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Real Salt Lake's grand goal

l Construct a $100 million state-of-the-art stadium with money from private investors and the team.

l Add a multimillion-dollar hotel and broadcast studio with help from investors.

l Plan a $650 million mega-development, complete with housing, offices, retail and restaurants, with help from Sandy and Wall Street bankers.

Deal's main points

l County provides $20 million in previously allotted hotel taxes for parking and related improvements.

l County kicks in $20 million from new hotel taxes, $10 million in 2011 and $10 million in 2015, for stadium land and infrastructure at fair market value.

l Sandy contributes $15 million in RDA funds.

l RSL provides $27.5 million in cash and in-kind contributions, along with a $7.5 million donation toward a youth soccer complex in northwest Salt Lake City.