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Sport Authority Bill Is About Cost Control

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 14, 2008

It is a disservice to the public that the Tribune could not set aside its bias in the recent editorial on legislative efforts to change the makeup of the Tampa Sports Authority. It is not about one-upsmanship or Commissioner Jim Norman's future plans. Why not report the fact that itis about the future of commitments made that directly impact more than 1.1 million citizens of Hillsborough County?

Over the years, there have been several changes to the special act that formed the TSA. As more citizens moved to the unincorporated county, balance of members was sought. In 1965, when the TSA was created, there were 10 city of Tampa representatives and one Hillsborough County representative. At that time, 63 percent of the population lived in Tampa.

Today, close to 70 percent of citizens call the unincorporated Hillsborough County home. Only five members of the TSA represent those county residents. Yet, the County Commission's budget bears the greatest share of liability; has committed significantly more than Tampa in resources for capital projects at the Times Forum, Raymond James Stadium and Legends Field, and bears the ownership responsibilities and costs.

Your editorial made much of where the tourist development tax is collected. Why? Whether inside the city limits of Tampa or not, the county-levied tax is paid by hotel and motel guests who are out-of-towners - not local residents.

Special acts are not meant to be static; this one has undergone revision several times to better reflect a balance of the population. Similarly, the Environmental Protection Commission is also being considered for a redistribution of membership to better represent the communities served.

The Tribune editorial points to this legislative effort and asks how the county can say it is the most important issue we face. No one at the county has or will make that claim. Property tax reform measures imposed on us by the state Legislature means fewer resources to fund essential services, which makes controlling TSA spending (which requires the county to fund two-thirds of any shortfall) an important issue for us. This matter cannot be resolved by County Commission action. Because the TSA is created by Special Act of the State Legislature, we must seek change by the state. Above all, it is a request for fairness.

Local House Bill Number One provides that.

Pat Bean is Hillsborough County administrator.

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