The Waxahachie City Council on Monday voted to table a request by the Ellis County Woman’s Building for $10,000 toward ongoing renovations, after councilmembers questioned the project bids, scope and cost breakdowns.

Hannah McCleary, representing the Women’s Building, described work to ready the nearly 100-year-old property for its centennial on Feb. 11, 2026: “We’re in the process of upgrading the Ellis County Woman's Building, which will be 100 years old, and an anniversary party celebration, 02/11/2026. We're completely redoing the kitchen and making, the Davis Hall has some damage in the floor, doing quite a bit of, renovations to it.”

Councilmembers pressed for more detail on bids and costs. One councilmember said the construction numbers looked inflated and urged the group to obtain additional competitive bids before the city committed taxpayer funds. Council members noted the presentation listed $71,500 of combined work but that some items discussed in the hearing — including roof repair and exterior painting tied to hail damage — did not appear in the written bid summary.

Council also discussed existing city support for the building. City staff noted the city provides a stipend and pays some utility and insurance items; as McCleary explained, “The city did the flower beds for us in the sprinkler system, which was 30,000... The county gives us $2,200 monthly out of their budget.” A staff member added, “I checked with Chad today. I believe we give a $2,400 stipend a year.”

Council members said they wanted one more contractor estimate and clearer documentation of what the city’s requested $10,000 would fund. Councilman Smith and others expressed concern about unusually high single-line bid items for cabinets and counters. McCleary said the group had two construction bids and that the contractor for cabinets was a local specialist with a tougher finish for high-use areas.

Councilmember Smith moved to table the request to the council’s August 18 regular meeting to allow time to secure additional bids; a second was made and the motion carried on a voice vote. In the interim the Women’s Building will proceed with planned construction this week, the representative said, and council asked staff and the applicant to return with an additional bid and clearer budget documentation.

Notes: Council advised that for transparency and best value the city prefers at least three competitive bids on projects that rely on taxpayer funds. The council did not approve the $10,000 at the meeting.