Hillsborough’s outgoing commission voted Tuesday to put renewed sales-tax money and up to $263 million in tourist-tax bonds toward the Rays’ Tampa ballpark. Voters were never asked about a stadium.
By Joseph J. Jackson | TAMPA (Nov. 11, 2026)
The short version
Hillsborough commissioners voted 5-2 Tuesday to make the Rays ballpark eligible for the renewed Community Investment Tax, then set aside the first $90 million of it for fiscal year 2027.
They also approved up to $263 million in tourist development tax bonds for the stadium.
In 2024, Commission Chair Ken Hagan said he supported “not letting stadiums be built with the tax.” The 2024 ballot language never mentioned a stadium.
The Rays still haven’t shown proof of financing for their share.
What they said
In April 2024, before voters renewed the half-cent Community Investment Tax, Hagan said this:
“I completely support eliminating the community stadium, not letting stadiums be built with the tax.”
Earlier this year, as the Rays deal took shape, Hagan said something else: “This agreement does not happen without CIT funding. It just doesn’t,” according to WFTS.
What they did
On Tuesday, Nov. 10, commissioners voted 5-2 to add the Rays ballpark to the list of infrastructure projects eligible for renewed CIT money, WFTS reported. They amended the county’s capital improvement program and approved a budget amendment that sets aside the first $90 million in renewed CIT money for the ballpark in fiscal year 2027.
Separately, they approved a master bond resolution allowing up to $263 million in tourist development tax revenue bonds for part of the ballpark, and added the stadium to the county’s tourist development plan.
Commissioner Joshua Wostal, a longtime opponent, voted no. “It should be canceled,” he said. Then he left the chambers and missed the rest of the votes. Wostal lost his re-election bid, and Tuesday was his last meeting, WFTS reported. The remaining measures passed 5-1, with Commissioner Donna Cameron Cepeda the lone no, according to WFLA.
RELATED: Hillsborough’s New E-Bike Rules: 10 mph on Sidewalks and Fines Up to $500 · Florida Asked for Federal Flood Help. Brevard Is Still Waiting.
The result
The stadium and a mixed-use district are planned for Hillsborough College’s Dale Mabry campus, with the Rays targeting a 2029 opening, WFLA reported. The whole project carries a $2.3 billion price tag.
The county already committed to its share on Aug. 28, when commissioners voted 5-2 to approve $796 million toward the project, Bay News 9 reported. Hagan, Harry Cohen, Gwen Myers, Christine Miller and Chris Boles voted yes, according to WUSF. Tampa City Council had approved the city’s part the day before, 4-3. The Rays would contribute more than $1.3 billion.
Tuesday’s votes start turning that promise into money. The county attorney said nothing flows until the Rays secure their share, according to WWSB. The team hasn’t provided proof of financing yet, and the stadium’s final cost is still under review, WFTS reported.
The gap
The Community Investment Tax is a half-penny sales tax voters first approved in 1996. In 2024, they renewed it for 15 years with about 52% of the vote. It has paid for roads, parks and fire stations, and for debt tied to Raymond James Stadium.
The 2024 ballot language did not mention building a new sports stadium, WFTS reported. So far, the only project paid for with the renewed tax is Zoo Tampa. The Rays ballpark would be the second.
Residents who spoke Tuesday pushed back. “We cannot borrow hundreds of millions of dollars or lock up our sales taxes based on ghost projections from months ago,” said Elizabeth Braden. “We need to use these resources for public safety, infrastructure, and administration,” said Anne Hartwell.
The timing matters, too. Axios Tampa Bay reported that Florida’s property tax overhaul raises the stakes for the stadium vote. Amendment 3, which voters approved Nov. 3, is set to squeeze the property taxes local governments run on, at the same moment the county is locking up sales-tax and bed-tax dollars for a ballpark.
What happens next
A possible court fight. Commissioner Harry Cohen said the county has legal opinions saying the renewed CIT can pay for the ballpark, and he acknowledged a possible legal challenge. The county plans to seek bond validation, which could start within about two weeks.
A trustee agreement. Money from the team, the county and the City of Tampa would flow into a trust, with the trustee controlling payouts. That agreement still has to come back to commissioners.
December. More stadium items, including the ballpark use agreement, are expected back before commissioners in December, with more documents possibly sliding into the new year.
FMNN will keep tracking where the money goes. Got a tip about the deal? tips@floridamannewsnetwork.com
Sources
WFLA: Hillsborough County approves key votes to advance Tampa Bay Rays stadium funding
Yahoo News: Hillsborough County approves next steps in Rays stadium funding measures
Bay News 9: County commissioners approve funding share for Rays’ stadium in Tampa (Aug. 28)
WUSF: A new Rays stadium in Tampa gets clinching Hillsborough County approval (Aug. 28)
Axios Tampa Bay: Property tax overhaul raises stakes for Rays stadium vote