Pinellas commission delays key vote as Rays stadium plan stalls

State of play: Tuesday's 6-1 vote came hours after Rays leaders sent a letter to commissioners saying their delay in approving bonds to finance the stadium wrecked the team's plans to open the ballpark for the 2028 season. 

• "A 2029 ballpark delivery would result in significantly higher costs that we are not able to absorb alone," team presidents Matt Silverman and Brian Auld wrote. 

The other side: County commissioners said Tuesday they don't want to be rushed into a decision in the wake of two hurricanes and an election that put two new members on the board who were just sworn in this week. 

• The agreement with the Rays doesn't include a deadline by which county commissioners must issue the bonds, assistant county attorney Donald Crowell told the board.  

Between the lines: Casting the lone "no" vote was Commissioner René Flowers, who said she was saddened to see a plan to finally do right by the historically Black Gas Plant District "dissipate before my eyes." 

• Flowers' family was among those hurt by the Trop's development, she said.

What they're saying: Several commissioners had scathing feedback for Rays leaders, criticizing their lack of communication with the county and owner Stuart Sternberg's decision to air his grievances in the Tampa Bay Times.

• "They are not great partners," said Chair Kathleen Peters, who supports the deal but voted in favor of delaying the vote to give new commissioners Vince Nowicki and Chris Scherer time to digest the plan. 
• "They want to take their toys and go back home and start over and renegotiate." 

A spokesperson for the Rays declined Axios' request for comment on the remarks from commissioners and their decision to delay the vote.

What we're watching: The bonds will be up for a vote again at the Dec. 17 county commission meeting.