ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) – St. Petersburg resident and former Raymond James Executive Ron Diner is with the group No Home Run. They’ve been against a new Tampa Bay Rays stadium deal from the start.

Since then, their concerns have grown.

“They should delay the decision,” Diner said. “Now the team is saying to the city, we can’t pay the overruns. Therefore, in my opinion, there isn’t a contract.”

The Rays sent Pinellas County commissioners a letter Tuesday. In that letter, the team’s leaders blame the county for not honoring the original agreement to help foot the bill in time to open a new ballpark by 2028.

The letter also states: “A 2029 ballpark would result in significantly higher costs that we are not able to absorb alone.”

Diner wants taxpayer dollars spent elsewhere.

“Until it is clear from the team if they are saying we cannot honor the contract that’s written that we’ll pay the overruns, no way should a city or county be borrowing any money, period,” Diner said.

The team has many fans. Heather Clark would like to see a new baseball diamond. She said that’ll put a bright spotlight on the area around the new stadium too.

“I don’t think you’re going to develop that area without a stadium and see the type of financial impact that would see with a stadium,” Clark said.

Pinellas Commissioner Chris Latvala said Tuesday’s decision to delay the funding vote was not a strikeout.

“We just had two hurricanes. Our priority in October was hurricane recovery. His (team’s owner) priority in October was why aren’t you approving our bonds,” Latvala said. “The county has not done anything to say the deal is dead.”

St Pete Mayor Ken Welch has his eye on a new ballpark.

“We believe the economic fundamentals, and the long-term benefits of the agreements approved in July by all parties, remain valid. We are focused on moving forward with fulfilling our obligations under the existing use agreement,” Welch said.

St Pete council members are scheduled to discuss two issues involving The Rays on Thursday. They will talk about funding for repairs and funding for a new facility.