"At the end of the day, you can’t just write them a check for 20 million bucks."

Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium is one step closer to having a new location near Interstate 75.

The Sarasota County Commission on Tuesday said it would consider giving the nonprofit marine research center $20 million toward a new $130 million aquarium at Nathan Benderson Park, though it plans on retaining its current facility on City Island, where approximately 200 employees will conduct research.

Commissioners on Tuesday said they support the overall project but want to have an independent feasibility study done on the proposal before committing the money. The $20 million would come from the county’s tourist tax revenue, officials said. The 5 percent tax that visitors pay for lodging is used for tourism-related purposes.

The commission also wants to determine how the $20 million would affect the tourism tax fund.

Read more at the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.