BCC defers vote on Rays stadium funding

The Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday deferred a vote to adopt a supplemental bond resolution and approve the form of documents for the financing of a new Tampa Bay Rays stadium. In a 6-1 vote, the Board agreed to move the discussion to the Dec. 17, 2024 meeting to give commissioners an opportunity to have additional questions answered and review additional public comment. A companion public hearing was also postponed to Dec. 17.

The stadium agreement between the County and the Rays does not outline a specific timeframe for the county to issue bonds. The Rays must also meet several requirements, including among other things providing an updated project budget and schedule, before the county would be required to issue the bonds.

The stadium agreement is separate from the City of St. Petersburg’s Gas Plant Redevelopment District agreement with the Rays and their development partner, Hines Group. Board action on the bonds has no contractual impact on the terms of that agreement.

Earlier this year, the County Commission voted to invest $312.5 million in public financing for the stadium using Tourist Development Tax revenue to pay off the debt. By law, the use of tourist taxes is restricted and cannot pay for many Pinellas County projects or services such as law enforcement or roads.

Commissioner Brian Scott to chair Board in 2025

The Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday elected commissioners Brian Scott as Chairman and Dave Eggers as Vice Chair for 2025.

Scott is the current Vice Chair and represents at-large District 2. He was elected to the Board in 2022. Eggers represents District 4 and was elected to the Board in 2014 and re-elected in 2018 and 2022.

The Chair leads meetings and work sessions, represents the Board at community events, coordinates commissioner board assignments, and more.

The Board also welcomed two newly elected Board members Tuesday. Commissioner Chris Scherer represents at-large District 1 and Commissioner Vince Nowicki represents at-large District 3.