TAMPA, Fla. — Tampa City Council approved a resolution Thursday tied to how the city could finance its $80 million commitment to the Tampa Bay Rays ballpark project.
The measure passed 4-3, but only after the first vote ended in a 3-3 tie with Councilman Bill Carlson absent.
Carlson, who said he was home sick, later joined the meeting virtually. Council then voted again, with Carlson voting yes and helping the resolution pass.
The city has already agreed to contribute $80 million toward the ballpark project in four annual installments of $20 million.
The resolution allows Tampa to consider issuing up to $80 million in non-ad valorem revenue bonds to help cover that obligation. It does not mean the city is issuing the bonds immediately.
City attorneys told council members the resolution allows the city to seek court validation of the financing option and determine whether bonds could legally be used if council chooses that route later.
“This resolution does not obligate you to issue debt,” the city attorney told council. “It’s simply asking the court that if the city issues debt associated with that $80 million, that it’s warranted and authorized.”
During the first vote, council members split 3-3. Under council rules, a legislative resolution that fails to receive at least four votes in support or opposition would normally return at the next regular meeting as unfinished business.
Before that happened, Carlson joined the meeting virtually.
Council then voted again. Carlson, Alan Clendenin, Luis Viera and Gwen Henderson voted yes. Charlie Miranda, Guido Maniscalco and Lynn Hurtak voted no.
The 4-3 vote allows the city to move forward with the validation process. Any future decision to actually issue bonds would still require additional council action.
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