Keller City Councilors spent an extended work‑session segment Nov. 4 reviewing design milestones, contingency assumptions and the elements that raised a Mount Gilead Road estimate from roughly $12 million to about $17 million. Staff described the difference between 30/60/90 percent design milestones and emphasized how additional line items discovered at higher design fidelity (utilities, drainage, and unit costs) can materially alter final construction estimates.

Staff presented alternative scope packages broken into discrete "points" so council could select components to include. The package that staff said would return the estimate nearer the adopted budget (the “12‑point” package) omits underground storm detention and refrains from re‑designing a 100‑year drainage upgrade at the Marshall Ridge/ Borland intersection. Council members expressed particular concern about placing new pavement over aging buried utilities. Several council members recommended adding the west‑side 16‑inch water‑line replacement — an element that staff noted had two breaks in the past 18 months — even though that increases cost.

By the end of the session council members signaled consensus to pursue a modified package that staff described as a "13‑point" scope: three‑lane west‑side pavement work, intersection surface improvements, mill/overlay in the center, and replacing the west‑side 16‑inch water line, while deferring underground storm detention and a full 100‑year drainage re‑design. Staff cautioned that some components remain at lower design fidelity (below final bid‑level), and the contingency on certain items would remain higher until 90 percent design and utility confirmations are complete. Staff also cautioned that advancing to final design now would consume roughly $2 million of design and soft‑costs already spent and that detailed design work can become obsolete after approximately three years if funding does not materialize.

Council direction: staff was asked to proceed with design and cost‑refinement for the reduced scope that includes the west‑side water‑line replacement and to return with updated estimates and clear identification of remaining design‑level risks. No formal ordinance or resolution was adopted; the council gave direction to staff to further refine and return to council.