The Chattanooga City Council pushed a vote on the new Lookouts stadium back a week Tuesday as negotiations continue on plans to plug a funding gap in the project, and the Hamilton County Commission is expected to do the same Wednesday.
“I’m excited to see what the final outcome will be,” Hamilton County Commission Chair Jeff Eversole, R-Ooltewah, said in a phone call, adding he’s heard negotiators are “at the one-yard line.”
The council and commission must decide whether to allow a jointly created sports authority to take on additional debt for the project, which has seen its cost escalate from $79.5 million to $129 million, according to county estimates. After previous delays, the boards had been scheduled to vote on the proposal this week. The council opted Tuesday to defer the vote until Feb. 20, and Eversole expects the commission will push consideration of the plan to Feb. 21.
(READ MORE: A 14-month timetable for new Chattanooga Lookouts stadium ‘ambitious but doable’)
Eversole and Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly unveiled an updated proposal two weeks ago, which drew ire from Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp’s office. Wamp slammed Eversole for representing the county in negotiations without involving the chief financial officer, county mayor or other commissioners. Some commissioners said at a subsequent meeting Jan. 31 they want to ensure Wamp’s staff is involved in future talks.