The Pima County Sports and Tourism Authority board unanimously approved spending $49,000 to hire a consultant to come up with a regional sports master plan.
Group leaders said they'll figure out by Friday how to pay for it and whether there's political support.
The board was in a rush to approve the consultant contract on Tuesday in order to include it in a budget due to the Board of Supervisors by Friday.
The board approved a shell budget Tuesday, saying missing details about income and expenses will be added before the budget is sent to county leaders.
The consultant, Michael Halchak, principal of sports architecture firm Populous, would help the board develop "a menu of facilities and programs, which would be regional in scope, which would promote economic development and tourism in particular," chair Linda McNulty said.
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The plan would be used to help build voter support for a tax-enabling referendum in 2013 or 2014.
The board was counting on cash contributions from towns and cities to finance the consultant's study. But political support is unclear.
The board plans to ask Pima County for more money. The county's commitment of $300,000 over three years expired in 2011.
The group also talked about a $40,000 pledge from Marana, but Mayor Ed Honea said that while the town is still interested, it is waiting for more towns and cities to get on board before approving the funds.
McNulty opened the meeting by saying there's "potential to fill a need and do something good for Pima County, but we can only accomplish something through this effort with the collaboration and enthusiastic support of all the jurisdictions in Pima County."
The board decided a public opinion poll may be needed in the near future.
The board approved a $100,000 shell budget on Tuesday for the fiscal year that begins July 1.
The $100,000 would come from Pima County, if approved by the Board of Supervisors.
Other income could include a $23,000 payment from the Tucson Padres and $10,000 from the Metropolitan Tucson Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Expenses include the authority executive director's salary, the consultant, the poll, an economic impact analysis and financial modeling, marketing materials for Major League Baseball team prospects, legal fees and a website makeover.
Board secretary Rick Grinnell said fundraising will be needed, and board member Dave Sitton suggested selling $1,000 memberships to a friends group.
No competitive bid for consultant
Former chair Tom Tracy raised questions about procurement rules because the authority did not go through the standard competitive bid process before selecting the consultant.
Pima County Economic Development and Tourism director Tom Moulton said the authority will take advantage of the county's "direct select" provision for professional services contracts under $50,000.
That process, typically used to expedite a contract or when there's only one person who can do the job, requires the written approval of the county administrator and a review by the procurement director.
McNulty said Populous is uniquely qualified because of its particular expertise and local roots.
The consultant's fee of $49,000 also helps the board take advantage of the provision. A plan like the one Populous will create typically costs $150,000, Halchak said.
Where baseball fits in
The board also continues to discuss the possible role of Major League Baseball in the future referendum.
The authority was created in 2008 as part of a plan to save spring training in Tucson and support amateur sports.
Dan Schneider, the authority's liaison with Major League Baseball, hinted Tuesday at new talks with two teams whose leases could expire at the right time.
McNulty said it's a delicate balance, because if the authority moves forward with a plan for Major League Baseball before locals are ready, the referendum could fail and the group won't get to advance its plans for amateur sports, either.
Moulton said Pima County has learned from its experience at Kino Stadium that it's possible to create a multipurpose stadium with professional baseball tenants.
Contact reporter Becky Pallack at bpallack@azstarnet.com or 573-4346.
