The Pinellas County Commission has voted in favor of its share of financing for a new $1.3 billion Tampa Bay Rays ballpark, part of a plan to keep the team in St. Petersburg for another 30 years.
The overall plan was approved by the county commission and city of St. Petersburg officials this summer, but votes on the funding for the deal have proven more contentious and were delayed nearly two months.
Earlier this month, the St. Petersburg City Council voted to approve its share of the bonds necessary to build the new 30,000-seat ballpark. The county vote Tuesday was 5-2 for bonds that would be funded by tourist or \"bed\" taxes that cannot be spent on things such as hurricane recovery.
Under the agreement, the city and county would put up about half the cost, with the Rays covering the rest, including any cost overruns.
Via Associated Press