Over the course of this process, the County’s negotiating team developed what we believe to be a strong and competitive proposal, one designed to support a successful Royals franchise in Clay County alongside a complementary dining and entertainment district, while also protecting the financial interests of Clay County taxpayers.
The most recent phase of negotiations was structured to align with the Royals’ desired timeline, allowing a finalized proposal to be placed on the April ballot. Meeting that timeline would have required acceptance of the County’s proposal by January 8th 2026, thereby allowing sufficient time for public input and a formal vote by the Commission to place the measure before voters. The Royals elected not to accept the County’s proposal within that timeframe. As a result, no proposal will be presented to the public for a vote this April.
Clay County residents can be confident that their Commission will always negotiate with their best interests as the top priority. The County did not and will not engage in a bidding competition with other jurisdictions. Our focus remains on achieving fair, responsible, and mutually beneficial agreements for our residents and for any businesses seeking to invest in Clay County.