Divide emerges on funding for Rays' Hillsborough stadium plan
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The Rays hope to build their new home on Hillsborough College's campus. Photo: Courtesy of Hillsborough College
The Hillsborough Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously on Wednesday to continue talks over a new ballpark for the Tampa Bay Rays, but disagreements arose over how it might be funded.
Why it matters: Commissioner Ken Hagan (R) said a deal isn't possible without revenue from the county's half-cent sales tax. That tax helped finance Raymond James Stadium and was renewed by voters in 2024.
- But Commissioner Joshua Wostal argued the board would be going back on its own word if it allowed the tax to be used to build the stadium.
Flashback: Wostal referenced an April 17, 2024, meeting during which commissioners discussed the wording of the tax measure that would go before voters that fall.
- Wostal proposed language barring the tax from being used for new stadiums, an idea that drew bipartisan support — including from Hagan.
- County attorneys noted that the ballot language listed "public facilities" as a use for the tax, which could cover a county-owned stadium. Revising the wording would have required another public hearing.
- They said commissioners could reach the same outcome simply by choosing not to own any new professional sports facilities. Wostal then moved to withdraw his proposal.
Between the lines: The Rays — in their memorandum of understanding with Hillsborough College — referenced transferring ownership of the stadium to the county if it provided funding to construct it.
- Transferring ownership would exempt the team from property taxes and, according to the county's attorneys, would enable the stadium to receive funding from the half-cent sales tax.
- Wednesday's meeting agenda indicated the Rays intend to cover at least half of the new stadium's cost, which Hagan said has been estimated at $2.3 billion, not including surrounding development.
What they're saying: Wostal said at Wednesday's meeting that the board promised on the public record that the tax would be ineligible for the use of new stadiums.
- "We have not even began to collect that tax," he added. "And here is a suggestion that we already deceive the taxpayers that we made a promise to no less than two years ago."
The other side: Hagan said he understood the concerns voiced by Wostal and echoed by Commissioner Chris Boles.
- "But again, I want to be very honest and transparent: This agreement does not happen without [half-cent tax] funding," he added. "It just doesn't."
What's next: Commissioners are slated to receive an update on the project from staff within the next 90 days.