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Copperas Cove senior center project underfunded by about $1.5M; council directs use of general fund balance and rejects plumbing bids
Summary
Council reviewed design and cost updates for a proposed new senior center at Walker Place Boulevard, was told the project is about $1.5 million short of the $1.7M budget, directed staff to use general‑fund balance to cover the gap, and voted to reject plumbing bids and rebid as an MEP package.
City of Copperas Cove leaders told the council March 18 that the proposed new senior center at Walker Place Boulevard is underfunded by roughly $1.5 million, and council members directed staff to cover the shortfall from the city’s general fund balance.
Parks and Recreation director Jeff Stoddard traced the project’s history: the city acquired an adjacent one‑acre lot for $385,000 and purchased a prefabricated building for $313,251. Site grading and pad work was contracted for $1,339,360. Staff said a late legal opinion required sealed general‑contract bids rather than job‑order contracting, increasing cost exposure.
Stoddard and city manager Ryan Havrila presented a revised total project cost near $3.3 million, compared to the $1.7 million council previously allocated. Havrila told council the city reviewed bond savings from completed projects and concluded they did not provide sufficient contingency; he laid out two main options for the funding gap: use general fund balance or add the project to the 2025 certificates of obligation and execute a reimbursement resolution to fund work in advance of the debt issuance.
Several council members voiced support for using the general fund balance. Havrila explained that the general fund is projected to end the fiscal year with an amount above the city’s three‑month reserve target and reminded council that a portion of the fund balance was augmented by ARPA and other grants in prior years.
Separately, staff asked council to reject the two bids received for plumbing installation at the new location and to re‑bid the work as a combined mechanical/electrical/plumbing (MEP) package. Park superintendent James Neely said two plumbing bids were received — about $106,300 and $217,653 — and that no electrical bids were received. Council voted to reject the current plumbing bids so the city can rebid as an integrated package; the motion passed.
Stoddard also told council that temporary fencing, irrigation and some landscape items are potential areas to trim but warned that removing necessary safety or scope elements would carry liability or reduce project quality. He said staff will continue to refine cost estimates and return to council with budget amendment requests and construction recommendations.
Ending: Council gave staff direction to proceed using the general fund to cover the shortfall and to rebid the building’s MEP work; staff said they will present the formal budget amendment and updated procurement documents for council action.
