Salt Lake County libraries and the Children's Museum are both worthy of support.
Pairing them in a proposed $25 million bonding package isn't.
That's what Salt Lake County Council member Randy Horiuchi is trying to sell his colleagues. Horiuchi's proposal allocates $10 million for constructing a new Children's Museum and $15 million for the county's library facilities.
"If the voters say 'yes' it flies, if the voters say 'no' it dies," Horiuchi said during Tuesday's council meeting.
The problem, as was pointed out by Councilman Jim Bradley, is that the measure would necessitate the county assuming ownership of the Children's Museum. That's because the county is unable to publicly bond on behalf of a private entity.
Chief administrative officer David Marshall posed the critical question: "Does the administration of this county want to be in that business?"
The Children's Museum, as a private entity, needs to succeed or fail on its own. Salt Lake County has enough challenges to properly provide for its substantial library system. This is not the time to add the Children's Museum to its list of obligations.
Voters are more likely to pass a bond issue targeted at improving existing library facilities or constructing new ones than a bond issue that is combined with something like the Children's Museum.
Why not just propose a $15 million bond issue that's dedicated solely to Salt Lake County's libraries?
Under Horiuchi's plan, the $15 million would go toward remodeling library facilities in West Valley City and South Jordan; constructing a new library in Draper; and expanding the Sandy Library to include a children's wing.
As Horiuchi noted, innovative "children's wings" at libraries in Utah County are very popular and have become community centers that provide activities for youngsters such as fairs and festivals.
A lot of what Horiuchi is proposing makes sense. Having the county take over the Children's Museum doesn't.