Hillsborough County commissioners have pushed back a hearing on whether to use county sales tax money for the proposed Tampa Bay Rays stadium, shifting the discussion in hopes of making it easier for residents to show up.
The county’s August-approved stadium deal calls for $360 million from Hillsborough’s half-cent sales tax, known as the Community Investment Tax. That money is normally used for roads and public buildings.
Under the plan, at least four commissioners must attend a public hearing before the county can use those funds. The hearing had been set for 10 a.m.
Oct. 21 at the Fred B. Karl County Center in Tampa, with a vote to follow right after.
Commissioner Joshua Wostal asked Wednesday to move the meeting to east Hillsborough and make it an evening event, possibly around 6:30 p.m. He said the new location would be more central for unincorporated county residents.
“This is not a strategy move, this is simply a promoting transparency move,” Wostal said.
The board voted 5-1 to approve the change. Commissioner Gwen Myers voted against it, and Chairperson Ken Hagan was not present.
A new hearing date has not been set. County Attorney Julia Mandell said staff will review a Riverview site Wostal suggested and work around commissioners’ schedules.
Commissioner Christine Miller questioned whether changing the date could slow the stadium project, but Mandell said that should not be a problem. County officials usually add projects using half-cent sales tax dollars to a list before the next fiscal year begins. But they can also add projects after the year starts, which is what they’re doing with the Rays stadium because commissioners want to make the first $90 million payment this year.
The new fiscal year began Oct. 1.
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