The St. Pete City Council is set to vote today on bonds to finance the city’s portion of the $1.3 billion stadium deal, as the Tampa Bay Times reported.

Why It Matters

Delays have already jeopardized the stadium plan, with the Tampa Bay Rays indicating the agreement reached during the summer is nearly defunct. Approval of the bonds by the City Council would shift the decision to the Pinellas County Commission.

Catch Up Quick

In July, the Commission and the St. Pete Council approved an agreement for a $1.3-billion ballpark and the redevelopment of the Historic Gas Plant District near the stadium site. However, bond votes required to finance the deal were delayed by consecutive hurricanes and postponed again by the County Commission and the City Council in October and November.

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Rays president Brian Auld stated in November that from the team’s perspective, there is no moving forward with the current agreement, though the team has not formally withdrawn.

Driving the News

Council members only learned on Wednesday that the vote had been added to Thursday’s agenda, according to the Times. This marks the City Council’s first meeting since deciding to shelve the issue until Jan. 9. Thursday is one of two December meetings before new members, who are skeptical of the deal, are sworn in.

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What They’re Saying

Council member Richie Floyd, an opponent of the deal, told the Times he is uncertain if the last-minute vote signals that Mayor Ken Welch believes circumstances have changed since the Council last convened.

What’s Next

The Pinellas County Commission will meet on Dec. 17 to decide on its bond contribution.

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(Image credit: Hines/Tampa Bay Rays)