HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — A major legal question surrounding a proposed multi-billion-dollar stadium deal for the Tampa Bay Rays now has an answer — and it could shape the future of the project.
A newly issued legal opinion issued by Bryant Miller Olive says Hillsborough County can use Community Investment Tax (CIT) dollars to help fund a new stadium — even if it’s leased to a professional baseball team.
What is the CIT?
The Community Investment Tax is a half-percent sales tax approved by voters in 1996 to fund infrastructure projects.
The proposed deal
The plan calls for a $2.3 billion stadium and mixed-use development in West Tampa on the Dale Mabry campus of Hillsborough Community College.
Under the proposal:
The Rays would cover roughly half the cost
Taxpayers would fund the remaining portion through public sources, including CIT dollars
Why the legal opinion matters
The question of whether CIT funds could legally be used for a stadium has been a major point of debate.
Hillsborough County Commissioner Gwen Myers requested the legal review after hearing conflicting concerns from the public.
“What we’re hearing now is that we’re receiving so many emails that the funds cannot be used. And we’re hearing that the funds can be used. So the legal opinion would answer the question for all of us.”
The opinion concludes:
A publicly owned stadium qualifies as a “recreational public facility” under Florida law
CIT funds can be used for such facilities
There is no legal restriction in place, since a proposed ban on using the funds for a stadium was never formally approved
Public debate continues
Not everyone agrees with moving forward without voter input.
Stephanie Poynor, a member of Tampa’s Citizens Advisory Budget and Finance Committee, says the public should have a direct say.
“The city needs to vote on it. But I think the county does, too, because there’s 1.4 million people who live in this county and they should be making the decision on whether or not this happens.”
Poynor also raised concerns about how using CIT funds could impact other infrastructure priorities.
“absolutely It will. You know, it’s going to take from the roads. It’s going to take from the stormwater. It’s going to take from the sidewalks. Now, is it going to give back? That’s the real question?”
What happens next?
County commissioners are expected to continue discussions during an upcoming workshop Thursday, where they will review details of the proposal.
No vote is scheduled yet, but formal decisions could come as soon as next month, with multiple approvals required before any deal is finalized.