INDIAN ROCKS BEACH, Fla. — In Pinellas County, beaches and baseball are tied by more than just appreciation from locals and tourists alike, but also by the funding that supports them.
Leaders in the county have big decisions related to both, complicated by damages from recent hurricanes.
Next week, county commissioners are set to discuss whether to issue bonds to cover the nearly $312 million needed for their portion of a massive redevelopment proposal, which would revamp St. Pete’s Historic Gas Plant District and build a new stadium for the Tampa Bay Rays.
Thought to be a done deal in the summer, widespread damage from hurricanes Milton and Helene, changes post-election and the team’s decision to play in Tampa next season after damage to Tropicana Field have clouded the future of the deal.
“Personally, I would like to push that decision down farther and flush out exactly what's going to happen with our beaches, and then make that decision later,” Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners Chair Kathleen Peters told 10 Tampa Bay.
County estimations show it could cost upwards of $130 million to repair area beaches.
Local spending on beaches and baseball comes from the same pool of funding. A 6% tax on hotel and rental rooms, which last year alone generated a record $98 million. 40% of the funds is allotted to be used solely on capital improvement projects related to beaches, museums or sports stadiums.
Peters says despite the damage in the county, they are still on track to meet projections, in part because of hotel rooms and rental homes being booked up post-hurricanes. She added the county has enough money on hand for both beach renourishment and the Rays stadium deal.
“Based on the preliminary reports that we've gotten, we've been assured, based on our reserves and based on the projections, that, yes, we do have plenty money now,” Peters said. “Now did we expect two hurricanes in a row? No.”
Peters is hoping the commission takes more time before voting on the funding — a vote that was already delayed last month and further criticized in recent weeks.
Commissioners have balked at the Rays for not communicating with them about their plans for next season, and some leaders feel miffed after their announcement to play at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa.
Commissioner Chris Latvala, who was one of the dissenting votes during the July meeting, told 10 Tampa Bay, "I will be a no on the bonds if they are not playing in Pinellas."
Chair Peters says she understands “why there wasn't as much transparency as we would have liked.
She added, “Would I have preferred they stayed in Pinellas County and the tourism dollars that will come with next season would go to Pinellas County. I would prefer that. But as far as making a decision and where this is going to go, it's too soon."
When they eventually weigh in the commission, two of the initial supporting votes on the 5-2 decision to move forward with the stadium project over the summer will not be there. Commissioner Charlie Justice (D) lost his reelection bid and Commissioner Janet Long (D) retired.
Commissioners-elect Vince Nowicki and Chris Scherer, both Republicans, will be sworn in before the meeting.
“You're really looking at almost $600 million [including financing] — is that really the most fiscally conservative thing to do right now? With the state of our beaches, with the state of our infrastructure and all the other issues that we're facing here in the county,” Nowicki said in an interview with 10 Tampa Bay.
Nowicki made his position clear, saying he would vote against the deal if/when a vote happens, and that money could be used to repair damaged beaches.
“I think it really needs to go back to the city of St Pete and be renegotiated. I always thought it was a terrible deal from day one. It really hurts the residents and the taxpayers of the city of St Pete, and you've had very few people really come up and say that,” he added.
A decision could be punted until March without putting the project at risk of falling through.
Vice Chair Brian Scott, who supports the deal, is sticking by it, telling 10 Tampa Bay, "I would have preferred the Rays play in Pinellas County, however it will be a positive they are staying local."
Scott added, "I stand by my vote to support the County's portion of a new stadium, which is one component of a long term vision to improve the quality of life in Pinellas."