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Clearwater declines to back Rays’ stadium proposal
By LESTER R. DAILEY
Article published on Wednesday, June 25, 2008 |
CLEARWATER – Pinellas County tourism official Lee Daniels recently visited the Clearwater City Council to explain the county’s Tourist Development Tax.
The Barrier Islands Governmental Council had asked Clearwater officials to sign a resolution favoring a 30-year extension of part of that tax to facilitate the construction of a new waterfront stadium for the Tampa Bay Rays baseball team in St. Petersburg, and they wanted more information before making a decision.
The tax on tourist accommodations is used to promote tourism. It started at 2 percent in 1978 and was raised to 3 percent in 1988. In 1996, it was raised to 4 percent, with the extra 1 percent specifically earmarked for a “sports franchise facility.” In 2005, another 1 percent was added for the original purpose of promoting tourism.
After hearing Daniels’ presentation, the council members were concerned that extending the sports facility portion of the tax would enrich St. Petersburg at the expense of Clearwater and other north-county cities. They decided to tell the BIG-C that they won’t sign its resolution until they get more information and debate the matter further.
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Article published on Wednesday, June 25, 2008
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