County staff places conditions on funding: bond validation, guarantees and procurement rules

County legal staff and negotiators told commissioners that the agreements approved in substantial form include multiple legal safeguards and condition precedents before the county would release money.

Julia Mandel of the county attorney’s office emphasized that funding is contingent on a bond validation proceeding and on the team providing acceptable financial capability information for HoldCo, StadCo and TeamCo. Mandel said the team guarantee is through HoldCo and that staff negotiated the ability to request funding‑mechanism information "throughout the life of the guarantee," not just before funding. She also noted that construction will follow public procurement law.

Sam Hamilton of the county attorney’s office confirmed the legal review that found no express prohibition in the CIT ordinance preventing the board from using CIT dollars for a professional sports facility, and said the matter would likely surface in a bond validation process and potential appeals. Commissioners asked legal staff to prepare conforming documents and to return the CBA and related interlocal agreements for public hearings.