Tampa Bay Rays

Among the changes in the 134-page contract from May's nonbinding MOU: The Rays increased their commitment by $100 million, to $1.37 billion, with a corresponding decrease in the public contribution.

The city council voted 4-3 to approve a motion to place the stadium issue on the agenda for the meeting — despite not having a draft of the agreement, which is still stuck at the negotiating table.

A draft is expected to go public Thursday. The agreement, which will include recent proposals by Councilman Bill Carlson, would then be added to upcoming agendas for the city council and county commission.

AECOM Hunt has an extensive track record with the Rays and the region. That includes building Tropicana Field and replacing the St. Petersburg ballpark’s roof after it was destroyed by Hurricane Milton.

On Monday, the Rays are scheduled to announce the firm that will oversee building the ballpark. Meantime, Hillsborough College President Ken Atwater says definitive agreements on financing could reach local officials within days.

Bill Carlson says the Rays are receptive to his plan to cover Tampa's share of construction through new tax-increment revenue from the stadium district that would also seed a citywide infrastructure trust fund.

The group seeking to bring Major League Baseball to Orlando asked a tourist tax task force for $975 million for a project that would include a stadium. The Orange County Commission will make a final determination.

The Rays, who have the best record in the American League, acquired veteran starter Freddy Peralta from the Mets and power-hitting catcher/first baseman Liam Hicks from the Marlins.

Bill Carlson says he learned of negotiated changes in the $976 million contribution during a meeting with Rays CEO Ken Babby, who recently opened individual discussions with council members.

Mayor Jane Castor says council members have been kept informed and explains her frustration was over last week's votes, but remains optimistic a deal can be done that maintains Tampa's role in the project.

Members of Tampa's CRA board have said they may have sought alternatives to using CRA funds if they had been involved earlier in negotiations over the stadium financing package.

The former governor spoke on "Florida Matters Live & Local" about wanting to keep Major League Baseball in St. Petersburg, his ideas on reducing city property taxes and other issues.