Hillsborough County, Fla., is "on pace" to collect $30M in tourism taxes by the end of the year for the first time, which could aid Tampa's "hopes of luring" the Rays, according to a front-page piece by Steve Contorno of the TAMPA BAY TIMES. Florida state law "allows counties that surpass" $30M a year in room taxes to "raise the fee collected from 5 cents on every dollar spent to 6 cents." This extra cent "could go toward financing a portion of a Hillsborough County stadium that would be the future home" of the Rays. Tourism taxes can be used for "promoting tourism to the county or for financing projects like museums, convention centers and stadiums." Counties that unlock the sixth cent "are considered 'high tourism impact' counties." Pinellas County "became the eighth" in '13 when it surpassed the $30M threshold. Now, it figures to be "a key piece of that county's attempts to keep the Rays on that side of the bay." Contorno notes government officials "haven't had trouble spending room tax money in recent months on sports stadiums." Renovation proposals for Raymond James Stadium and George Steinbrenner Field "were both funded with the tourist tax." If the county reached its goal this year, it "would be ahead of schedule." Hillsborough County Commissioner Ken Hagan said that reaching the goal ahead of schedule "doesn't necessarily affect negotiations with the Rays." However, it was "always anticipated to be an important piece" of the ballpark conversation. Hagan, Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn and the rest of the Hillsborough team hoping to lure the Rays "are meeting today." Local leaders expect that an incentive package for the Rays "will likely include a creative mix of other sources, like revenue generated through Community Redevelopment Area funds" (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 5/5).
