The Tampa Bay Rays should declare in writing whether they want to pursue an existing financing plan for a new $1.3 billion ballpark or walk away from the deal

It was essentially buried after St. Petersburg City Council members delayed a vote on allocating bonds for the new stadium — and nixed paying for a new roof for storm-damaged Tropicana Field.

If funding were approved, St. Petersburg residents would have been on the hook for a new stadium for one of baseball’s least attended teams.

The letter also illustrates that the county has not missed any deadlines thus far, despite the Rays “fallacious” claims.