XM MLB Chat: Mesa, Arizona has new plan to keep Cubs in spring training

To keep Cubs in Arizona, Mesa proposes increase in hotel tax, golf course revenues, proceeds from sale of city owned land in Pinal County. November voters would have to approve.

6/3, Phoenix: "Officials in the Phoenix suburb of Mesa announced a new financing plan Thursday for building a new spring training complex for the Chicago Cubs so the team doesn't move its spring operations to Florida.

City officials said cornerstones of the $84 million plan include a proposed increase in the city's bed tax on hotel rooms and using city money from special funds that are fed from non-tax revenue sources, such as golf courses.

Sales and property taxes would not figure in the plan, but revenue from selling some city-owned rural property in Pinal County would be available to replenish the special funds, officials said.

If the City Council agrees, Mesa voters would be asked in November to authorize spending city money on sports facilities and to approve increasing the bed tax to 5 percent from the current 3 percent.

The Cubs are the most popular draw among major league teams that train in Arizona and represent a major source of tourism income for Mesa....

The city is acting on its own because the Arizona Legislature rejected proposed legislation that included surcharges on car rentals and on all spring training games in Arizona to help finance a new spring home for the Cubs.
Those proposals drew opposition, particularly from other teams.

Regional action is still required to come up with new funding to pay for improved facilities for other teams, Mesa officials said.

Other parts of the overall plan include the Cubs acquiring land to be used for the new complex, and additional private investment also will be sought, city officials said.

"The Cubs are appreciative of Mesa's efforts and look forward to learning more about the details of the latest funding proposal," said team spokesman Peter Chase."...