Ken Hagan

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.

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.

The board authorized Tampa Sports Authority to negotiate a final agreement with Suffolk Construction to build a sports facility, which officials envision as the hub of an entertainment and tourism district.

After learning they cannot remove appointees, commissioners voted to launch a review of TSA meeting minutes and members' financial records that could lead to a request for governor's involvement.

While not choosing between building a Rays ballpark and modernizing the Bucs' facility, a letter from the board to Hillsborough officials urges officials to keep the aging 65,000-seat stadium in money-making form.

Local government support for the Rays' ballpark was fragile before the tax measure went on the November ballot. Now, the Tampa Sports Authority is writing a letter to state its priority: Raymond James Stadium.

Terms include the sports authority receiving some revenue from non-USF events. TSA would also be positioned for greater involvement in the Fowler corridor, including the planned MOSI Fieldhouse.

City negotiations with the team and the county have been handled by officials on the mayor's staff. But some council members have expressed frustration with having to vote on a deal without having a seat at the table.

The tentative agreement, finalized last week by the team, county and city, details financing for the $2.3 billion indoor stadium that would anchor a multiuse development in Drew Park.

On "Florida Matters Live & Local," Joshua Wostal explains his skepticism of the plan, how it's being presented, promises that taxpayers won't be exposed and the team's transparency.

If commissioners approve the non-binding memorandum of understanding, the city council will vote on its part of the financing the following day.

Mayor Jane Castor says she expects the city council and county commission to pass the non-binding agreement, allowing negotiators to fill in the blanks on multiple documents in the complex deal.