TAMPA, Fla. — Tampa city leaders are moving forward with plans to take out a loan to help fund the Rays new ballpark.
City council voted yesterday to ask for a judge’s approval to borrow $80 million.
The vote is part of the bond validation, which allows the city to issue bonds to pay for its $80 million portion toward the $2.3-billion stadium project.
The move is largely procedural. According to city attorney Scott Steady, the city has a legal obligation to fund the $80 after already approving the stadium agreement terms with the Rays.
The first vote was a tie with three for and three against.
Councilman Bill Carlson was out sick. He later joined the meeting virtually to cast the deciding vote. Council members Naya Young, Luis Viera and Alan Clendenin were the other yes votes.
If the court approves the city’s plan, city council will have to hold another vote to finalize taking out the loan.