February 16, 200620 yr http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/sfl-mar...la-sports-front MIAMI ? Growing weary of the years spent trying to help finance a ballpark for the Marlins, a couple of Miami-Dade County commissioners said Wednesday they might support asking county voters in September to consider a half-cent sales tax increase for a year to raise funds for the project. As the county commission's Intergovernmental, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Committee debated the controversial referendum idea, the Marlins continued to explore ballpark options across South Florida. Marlins Senior Vice President of Stadium Development Claude Delorme met with Florida Atlantic University Athletic Director Craig Angelos on Wednesday about the remote possibility of sharing a football stadium the university hopes to build on its Boca Raton campus. In Miami-Dade, County Manager George Burgess told committee members that all of the potential locations under consideration -- next to or at Dolphins Stadium, two locations in Hialeah, a spot near Miami International Airport and another in the western part of the county -- come with a significant funding gap. "We're at a point where we're just banging against a wall," Burgess said. County Commissioner Carlos Gimenez said he would consider a referendum if an urban, easily accessible location is found and if the projected cost estimates are verified, rather than relying on what he says have been optimistic projections. "I think it's time to fish or cut bait. I'm just as tired of talking about this as you are," Gimenez said. "I would be willing to let voters decide, but with this caveat: It's got to be the right location ... I don't believe West Dade is the right place. I don't believe Hialeah is the right place." The committee's chairwoman, Commissioner Sally Heyman, also said she would support putting a referendum before voters. In a memo to commissioners last week, Burgess said a half-cent sales tax increase for a year could generate about $160 million to $180 million; a full cent could raise $320 million to $360 million. Burgess estimated funding gaps on some options as high as $150 million or more. Marlins President David Samson, who attended the meeting, declined comment. Commission Chairman Joe Martinez said he is not sure whether he will ask commissioners to consider the issue at their meeting Tuesday or on March 7. Commissioner Natacha Seijas, who previously supported the stadium effort, said she has grown tired of the county being the only government advocating a ballpark and said she would not vote for a ballot measure. "I will not hang my hat on another tax, I think it's absolutely ludicrous we're talking in this manner," Seijas said. She also said she fought for Hialeah Park's historic designation and she would oppose building a ballpark there. "The racetrack in Hialeah is completely unacceptable," she said. Hialeah Park owner John Brunetti has said neither the Marlins nor Hialeah Mayor Julio Robaina have contacted him about the possibility of a ballpark on his property. Developer Armando Codina, who owns the swath being targeted west of I-75 and east of the turnpike, said he also hasn't been contacted. "My site is not for sale," Codina said this week, adding that he has plans for an industrial park-style project. "I applaud the mayor in trying to help keep the Marlins here ... but no one has contacted me." Talks between the Marlins and FAU were described as exploratory, but neither side has been optimistic about a deal since the Marlins would prefer not to share another football stadium. If this was already posted....screw you.
February 16, 200620 yr David Samson declined to comment? bulls***...article was made up /traditional cheapshot at Samson I wish people would do this but we all know there isn't a chance in hell
February 16, 200620 yr A "tax" of any sort that fell on the electorate at large is doomed to failure, especially with the team we'll be fielding this season. If they go forward with this it's the kiss of death for the Marlins in South Florida.
February 16, 200620 yr A "tax" of any sort that fell on the electorate at large is doomed to failure, especially with the team we'll be fielding this season. If they go forward with this it's the kiss of death for the Marlins in South Florida. I agree if they really want to build this, they need to avoid asking the public to accept a tax. They need to find another way to fund this.
February 16, 200620 yr car rental tax car rental tax car rental tax Would they have to ask the voters to approve a car rental tax?
February 16, 200620 yr car rental tax car rental tax car rental tax Would they have to ask the voters to approve a car rental tax? I don't think so. Just the County Commission. The great thing is that if all three counties were convinced to pitch in on this, Miami-Dade wouldn't have to do a $1 tax hike, maybe each county could do .25 or .50 cents or something & spread it out, limiting the damage done to the car rental companies too. Also it would be a great gesture from PB & Broward to pitch in & help out the home team.
February 16, 200620 yr What is the current tax on car rentals? Is it high already,like the hotel taxes.
February 16, 200620 yr Hialeah Park owner John Brunetti has said neither the Marlins nor Hialeah Mayor Julio Robaina have contacted him about the possibility of a ballpark on his property. Developer Armando Codina, who owns the swath being targeted west of I-75 and east of the turnpike, said he also hasn't been contacted. "My site is not for sale," Codina said this week, adding that he has plans for an industrial park-style project. "I applaud the mayor in trying to help keep the Marlins here ... but no one has contacted me." One would think that if the Marlins are exploring the possibility of building on one of these Hialeah sites that they would be talking to the owners or their reps. Talking to politicians is fine, but they would presumably need to know what the owners of the land would want before they seriously consider a site. It's not like they just started looking at Hialeah yesterday.
February 16, 200620 yr Speaking of the car rental tax, Las Vegas is doing something similar. Their plan is to issue $85 million in bonds to help fund a performing arts center, which will be paid back over 30 years using the rental car levy. They're raising car rental tax by 2 percentage points, which is probably comparable to $1.
February 16, 200620 yr Author Speaking of the car rental tax, Las Vegas is doing something similar. Their plan is to issue $85 million in bonds to help fund a performing arts center, which will be paid back over 30 years using the rental car levy. They're raising car rental tax by 2 percentage points, which is probably comparable to $1. Vegas probably has one of the highest car rental numbers in the world. We can't do that here.
February 16, 200620 yr Does this mean 1/2 cent per dollar? well either way... the idea I read was a flat $1 surcharge. but you could do a % tax instead.
February 16, 200620 yr Author Does this mean 1/2 cent per dollar? well either way... the idea I read was a flat $1 surcharge. but you could do a % tax instead. Ya wouldn't it just raise tax .5 percent? It's what, 6% now? So it'd be 6.5 Far cry from Orlando's 11.5!!!!!!!!
February 16, 200620 yr Does this mean 1/2 cent per dollar? well either way... the idea I read was a flat $1 surcharge. but you could do a % tax instead. Ya wouldn't it just raise tax .5 percent? It's what, 6% now? So it'd be 6.5 Far cry from Orlando's 11.5!!!!!!!! In Dade county its currently 7% so it would rise to 7.5%. It would only be for one year and it only affects purchases up to $5000.
February 16, 200620 yr when the city of Tampa was threatend with losing the Bucs a few years ago, they put a 1/2 cent sales tax increase on the Hillsborough Co. ballot and it passed, and that was during 14 straight years of losing. I would believe that Dade would pass that sales tax increase, if not Dade, then Broward i'm sure would.
February 16, 200620 yr I doubt if any county down here would pass a straight sales tax increase. MAYBE if it's temporary, but even then I wouldn't think so. I sure hope I'm wrong though if it comes to a vote. Speaking of the car rental tax, Las Vegas is doing something similar. Their plan is to issue $85 million in bonds to help fund a performing arts center, which will be paid back over 30 years using the rental car levy. They're raising car rental tax by 2 percentage points, which is probably comparable to $1. Vegas probably has one of the highest car rental numbers in the world. We can't do that here. I'm sure South Florida is pretty high on the list too though. In fact the main Vegas hotel strip is designed so that people don't have to rent a car at all over there.
February 16, 200620 yr when the city of Tampa was threatend with losing the Bucs a few years ago, they put a 1/2 cent sales tax increase on the Hillsborough Co. ballot and it passed, and that was during 14 straight years of losing. I would believe that Dade would pass that sales tax increase, if not Dade, then Broward i'm sure would. But the Bucs never had the fire sales that this team has had.
February 16, 200620 yr when the city of Tampa was threatend with losing the Bucs a few years ago, they put a 1/2 cent sales tax increase on the Hillsborough Co. ballot and it passed, and that was during 14 straight years of losing. I would believe that Dade would pass that sales tax increase, if not Dade, then Broward i'm sure would. But the Bucs never had the fire sales that this team has had. Plus the Bucs are the most popular team in Tampa.
February 17, 200620 yr I'd pay a half cent tax, but I live in Broward. Anyways, if this doesn't pass, we could always find a way to tax tourists so fans of other teams would be pwned by financing our team. :shifty
February 17, 200620 yr when the city of Tampa was threatend with losing the Bucs a few years ago, they put a 1/2 cent sales tax increase on the Hillsborough Co. ballot and it passed, and that was during 14 straight years of losing. I would believe that Dade would pass that sales tax increase, if not Dade, then Broward i'm sure would. But the Bucs never had the fire sales that this team has had. Plus the Bucs are the most popular team in Tampa. not when the voting went down...
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