TAMPA, Fla. — The next vote on the Tampa Bay Rays’ $2.3-billion stadium proposal could be pushed back because of the state’s new property tax measure that will be voted on in November.

The City of Tampa’s Community Redevelopment Agency board is scheduled to vote on a non-binding agreement with the team on Thursday.

The board is made up of the seven members of city council.

However, Alan Clendenin said he would make a motion to push the decision to July 23 because of “recent developments in Tallahassee.”

Lawmakers recently approved the property tax reform measure involving homestead exemptions. If that passes in November, that would impact how local funding is allocated.

The Rays are seeking $976 million in public contributions to the project, with $796 million from the county and $180 million from the city.

According to Spectrum Bay News 9 partner newspaper, Tampa Bay Times, Clendenin said the delay would simply provide more time for ongoing negotiations.

Hillsborough College rebuild funding called a “budget turkey”

Meanwhile, a government watchdog group is asking Gov. Ron DeSantis to reconsider funding for  Hillsborough College, which is tied to the Rays’ stadium proposal.

Florida Tax Watch is calling the funding for the college a “budget turkey” item that the group said it believes should be vetoed.

This year, legislators approved $50 million to improve Hillsborough College in the new fiscal year.

That money is part of a larger deal to bring the Rays to Tampa, which means building a multi-billion dollar stadium in place of the campus.

Florida Tax Watch named hundreds of budget turkey items, adding up to $830 million.

“Items identified as budget turkeys tend to serve a limited, not a statewide area,” said Florida Tax Watch President Jeff Kottkamp. “They’re often not. Core functions of state government are more appropriately funded with local or private dollars.”

DeSantis has expressed his support for the new Rays stadium deal so it is unclear if he will follow the group’s recommendations.

The governor has the power to cut any items through his line-item veto power.

He needs to give his approval to the budget by July 1.