Hillsborough County BOCC Approves $796 Million Rays Ballpark Deal on August 28, 2026
Hillsborough County BOCC Approves $796 Million Rays Ballpark Deal on August 28, 2026
On August 28, 2026, the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners held a special meeting to consider and vote on the Development and Funding Agreement, Guaranty, and Team Non-Relocation Agreement with the Tampa Bay Rays (StadCo) for a new ballpark at the Hillsborough College Dale Mabry Campus. After a presentation by county staff, public comment, and board discussion, the board voted 5-2 to approve the agreements, with an amendment setting the Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) at $60 million.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Opposition: Many speakers opposed the use of public funds for the ballpark, arguing that taxpayer money should be used for roads, infrastructure, public safety, and other essential services. Concerns were raised about the optics of subsidizing billionaires, the uncertainty of Amendment 3 (property tax referendum), and the lack of a finalized CBA with specific dollar amounts. Speakers also highlighted the displacement of Hillsborough College buildings and the juvenile detention facility.
- Support: Supporters emphasized the economic impact ($34.8 billion direct impact, 5,000 annualized jobs), the catalytic effect on surrounding development (8–10 million square feet of mixed-use), the state's $180 million investment in the college, and the creation of a professional sports hub. They argued that the deal protects taxpayers through rent payments ($4 million/year with CPI), cost overrun coverage by the Rays, and a strong non-relocation clause.
Discussion Items
- Chair Hagan framed the vote as a choice between being a world-class community or losing a generational opportunity, noting that without the ballpark, the surrounding development would not occur. He defended the use of CIT funds, citing two legal opinions that found no prohibition in the ordinance or ballot language.
- Commissioner Cohen highlighted improvements from the original MOU: rent increased from $0 to $4 million/year, the Rays' contribution rose from 50% to 62%, and the state committed $100 million to the Lithia Pinecrest Road project, reducing the county's CIT obligation. He argued that the deal expands the tax base and supports transit planning.
- Commissioner Myers emphasized community benefits, affordable housing commitments, and workforce development opportunities through HCC. She called the vote a historic opportunity.
- Commissioner Wistel (voted no) criticized the use of CIT funds for a stadium, the reliance on property tax reserves ($103 million), and the insufficient return to the county. He argued that the deal shifts risk to unincorporated taxpayers and that fire rescue services cannot be guaranteed. He also questioned the transparency and the rush to vote before Amendment 3.
- Commissioner Cameron-Sapato (voted no) echoed opposition, citing constituent feedback that taxpayer money should not fund a stadium when roads and infrastructure are in need.
- Commissioner Miller proposed an amendment to the motion, increasing the CBA from $50 million to $60 million, with 65% ($39 million) to the county and 35% ($21 million) to the city. He also required that 20% ($12 million) be front-loaded over four years ($3 million/year, split proportionally). The remaining $48 million would be defined in a binding payment schedule in the CBA. He expressed disappointment with the disproportionate share of tax increment revenue (based on millage rates) but ultimately supported the amended motion.
Key Outcomes
- Vote: The board approved the Development and Funding Agreement, Guaranty, and Team Non-Relocation Agreement by a vote of 5-2, with Commissioners Cameron-Sapato and Wistel voting no.
- Motion Details: The motion, as amended, included:
- Approval of the three documents in substantial form.
- Authorization for the County Attorney to conform the documents to the City of Tampa's approved version and correct scriveners' errors.
- A Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) totaling $60 million, with 65% ($39 million) allocated to Hillsborough County and 35% ($21 million) to the City of Tampa.
- Front-loading: 20% ($12 million) of the CBA shall be paid in four equal annual installments of $3 million, distributed as $1.95 million to the county and $1.05 million to the city each year.
- The remaining $48 million to be funded pursuant to a binding payment and performance schedule to be determined in the final CBA.
- Conditions Precedent: Funding is subject to numerous conditions, including bond validation, satisfaction of CDD approval items, execution of a construction funds trust agreement, and verification of the Rays' financing (including MLB loan and equity commitments).
Meeting Transcript
Good morning, and welcome to the Board of County Commissioners special meeting for consideration and action on the development of funding agreement, guarantee and team non-relocation agreement between Hillsborough County, the City of Tampa, the RAISE entities regarding the Hillsborough College Dale Mabry Campus Ballpark Project. At this time, I will pass things over to the administrator to begin introducing today's item. Thank you, and good morning, everybody. And I want to thank you for being here today for this special meeting for the time, attention, and thoughtful consideration you have given to this project. This is an important moment for Hillsborough County, and I know the decision before you today reflects the significance of the opportunity and the responsibility that comes with it. It has been an incredible opportunity to be part of a project of this magnitude and to have a seat at the table as we think about what this could mean for the future of our county. This has been a long process. It has been difficult at times, it has been challenging, and there have certainly been moments when we have had to work through complicated issues and find our way to solutions. To be able to work on a project of this magnitude has been a privilege. We have appreciated their partnership and expertise, and we have worked as we have worked through the many issues associated with the ballpark and their broader project. And of course, I want to thank all of you, the board. You have been engaged throughout this process. You have asked tough questions, challenged us, provided guidance, and shared your perspectives. Those conversations have been important and they have helped make the agreements before you stronger today. We appreciate the time, effort, and collaboration that went into getting us to this point and the opportunity to work toward bringing the rays to Hillsboro County. Getting to this point has required collaboration, persistence, and a willingness to work through difficult issues together. No agreement of the size and complexity is perfect, and this one is no exception. The county did not get everything we wanted, and I know the rays did not get everything they wanted either. That is the nature of a negotiation of this magnitude. But I believe what we have accomplished is a structure that balances the interests of the county, our taxpayers, and the rays, while creating strong incentives for the rays to build a bar park development that we can all be proud of, and that can be an important part of the future of this community. As we turn to the agreements before you today, I think it is important to recognize that there is still work ahead of us. There are a number of documents before you today, and there are additional documents and actions that will come later. There are also several conditions that must be satisfied before the county provides any funding. Those protections and conditions are an important part of the agreements, and Julia will walk through those with you in detail. She will explain what is before you today, what comes later in the process, and the conditions and protections that are in place to protect the county and our taxpayers. Throughout these negotiations, our objectives have been clear to pursue an agreement that creates an extraordinary opportunity for our community while making sure that we are responsible stewards of the public resources with which we have been entrusted. I am proud of the work of our team at the work we have done to this point, and I'm grateful to all of you and our partners for the opportunity to be part of it. With that, I'll turn it over to Greg to provide an overview and key provisions, and then to Tom to go over financial details. Thank you. Next man up. All right, well, the show goes on. Good morning, Tom. I'll run through. So this morning, uh, we wanted to run through just a short presentation with you. Uh back one. Um back in, I believe it was May, you approved a memorandum of understanding, a non-binding memorandum of understanding, and you asked us to come back and negotiate with the Rays and then come back for our final consideration. Um, so that's what we've done. Again, we just kind of wanted to run through some information you have probably seen before, but for benefit of the public, we wanted to go through it again. There's no excuse for tardiness. There was quite the line, and I apologize. I think you've got some pull around here, Mr. Horday. So clearly I don't, and I apologize for the record. Uh, my name's Greg Horwadell, Deputy County Administrator. As Tom was just beginning to say, and I'm thankful that he didn't have to uh poll duty on this one, but did want to go over with you the um information that we have about the ballpark proposal. Some of this you have heard before. Um, as Tom will tell you in the financial portion of this, I'll turn it back over to him when it's time. Um we'll go through the detail on the financing, then I'll wrap it up with some key deal points that we have because uh there's a lot of very complex and moving pieces to this transaction. So thank you for your time. And we will begin by noting this is a proposal that you have seen before uh several months ago, as you recall.
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