The Tampa City Council took the “first step toward issuing” $80M in bonds for the Rays ballpark after its first vote “ended in a dramatic tie.” Council members, by a 4-3 vote, approved a resolution that is “required to initiate the circuit court validation and authorization of the issuance of the potential debt associated” with the city’s $80M portion of the ballpark deal. Subsequent city council approval is “required to issue the bonds” (TAMPA BAY BUSINESS JOURNAL, 10/15).
A first vote failed when it “ended in a tie” after council member Bill Carlson, the swing vote on the ballpark, “was not present.” The draw “sparked confusion on the dais as some council members scrambled to set a special meeting to reconsider the decision, which concerned the city’s ability to take on debt to help pay for the stadium.” They face time pressure: With the goal of opening the ballpark by 2029, the Rays have said that they “won’t begin construction until public funding sources are approved.” Minutes later, Carlson “joined the meeting virtually and resumed his role as the stadium’s savior” (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 10/15).