1:30 p.m. UPDATE: Commissioners voted 4-2 to allow 30 days to raise private funds to move the Confederate statute.

If $140,000 isn't raised, then the statue will remain where it is.

A county administrator said about $12,000 has been spent toward the movement of the statue.

PREVIOUS STORY: The Confederate memorial outside of the old Hillsborough County courthouse will be up to debate again today.  

  • Debate to resume today over courthouse Confederate monument 
  • Last month, county commissioners voted to relocate the monument
  • More discussion on the issue expected

Last month, county commissioners voted to relocate the monument. 

But that is taking a bit longer than expected. 

Questions remain about the memorial's actual removal: Who will pay for it? And what's the time frame for its removal?

And will the monument even be removed, considering that there is another ordinance on the books that would seem to protect monuments such as this one. 

The monument has gained scrutiny over the last several months since commissioner Les Miller called for its removal. 

Many agree, saying the statue symbolizes hatred and racism. But others see a different image -- a statue recognizing sacrifice of the confederate soldier.

It was erected by the United Daughters of the Confederacy on the courthouse grounds in downtown Tampa, on February 8, 1911.  It was relocated in 1952 upon completion of the then newer courthouse building.  

In June, commissioners voted to keep the monument in place. A month later, commissioners had a change of heart and voted to remove it. The board will discuss the issue again today.

Part of the agenda is an ordinance originally proposed by commissioner Stacy White in June that would protect all monuments and memorials to wars, the military and veterans - including the confederate monument. 

Meanwhile, a local attorney trying to raise $200,000 needed to relocate the statue. 

Commissioner White issued a statement saying in part that one of his colleagues has scheduled an item on today's agenda to once again discuss the monument and one such topic of discussion is whether to send the matter to the people and hold a referendum to determine its fate.