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Parent raises conflict-of-interest concerns after HVAC contracts awarded above low bids
Summary
A parent and commercial HVAC contractor said a private job walk and an acknowledged prior relationship between a district staffer and a vendor may have given that vendor an unfair advantage in recent Willis ISD mechanical bids. He asked the board to investigate whether the process violated public‑bid rules.
A parent and commercial HVAC contractor told the Willis ISD school board during public comment on Dec. 11 that he believes a private job walk and a possible conflict of interest resulted in a vendor receiving contracts well above the low bids.
"Lexus Mechanical was awarded the contract at a $501,000 premium over a low bid," Matt Solomon told the board, saying he was present for the Turner project walk and later learned Lexus had a separate, private walkthrough that other contractors did not attend. He asked the board to "look into the legality of this special consideration" and to report findings to the community.
Solomon said that at the Turner job walk he heard the district construction manager, Bob Eaton, say he "used to work for Lehi Mechanical," and that Eaton later placed a call to a Lexus sales manager during the walk. Solomon said bids were opened publicly and that Harcon Mechanical and CFI Mechanical submitted lower bids on the listed projects before the awards to Lexus were announced.
The board did not respond during public comment; board policy cited at the start of the comment period states the board does not respond to speakers in that forum. No formal investigation or action was recorded on the board's agenda during the meeting itself.
Why it matters: Solomon said the difference between the low bid and the award was substantial and argued that bond or tax funds should be spent prudently. He told the board he has additional documentation he could provide and said the board’s response to his concerns "will determine my next step."
