Rays stadium vote: Tampa leaders prep for community benefits and tax decisions

City and county leaders are preparing for several critical hurdles to bring a $2.3 billion Tampa Bay Rays stadium to fruition following a major local financial vote Thursday.Tampa Rays stadium projectTampa City Councilors paved the way Thursday for $80 million of bonds that would go toward the $2.3 billion stadium. City council members face a binding vote Oct. 29 for the community benefits agreement, which must go forward for the deal to be finalized. Under that agreement, the Rays are promising affordable housing, minority jobs and youth sports fields.RELATED: Tampa Rays stadium: Council approves $80 million bond after virtual voteCity officials must also hold votes to establish a special taxing district and to direct the money generated in that area directly to the team. Additionally, the city must seek a court ruling on whether it can legally go into debt to cover bond payments, which could total an extra $60 million.For the county's much larger share of $796 million, county commiss