Waxahachie council hears City Hall project is millions over budget; options include pausing work

John Vidari, managing principal of Vidari Management Group, told the Waxahachie City Council on Monday that the City Hall redevelopment project’s guaranteed maximum price had risen from the originally budgeted $12.2 million to about $16 million–$16.9 million, creating a multi‑million‑dollar shortfall. “I am surprised,” Vidari said, adding that he has worked in project management for 42 years.

The council heard that Turner Construction’s estimates progressed from about $12.2 million in January 2024 to a final 100% construction GMP submitted May 30 that came in at about $16.9 million — roughly $4.7 million over the original construction budget. City staff and the project manager said some of that increase reflects duplicate scope carried by both Turner and the city; after accounting for the duplicate items the presenters characterized the total overrun as about $4.0 million.

Why it matters: the council must decide whether to absorb the increase, reduce scope, or pause and renegotiate contracts. That decision affects work already underway, long‑lead items and supplier commitments, and whether the city…