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Eagle Pass council directs staff to finalize phased Public Works complex design, considers using FY2021 bond funds
Summary
Council voted to advance plans for a phased Public Works complex to replace an aging facility, directed staff to present a construction phase plan and discussed using remaining FY2021 bond funds (roughly $4.8–$4.9M reported available) toward an initial phase; presenters estimated total project costs of about $16.78M.
The Eagle Pass City Council on March 24 directed staff to finalize the design and present a phased construction plan for a new Public Works complex, citing an aging facility, operational inefficiencies and security concerns.
Presenters characterized the existing public works site as more than 50 years old, with unsecured public access, limited office and secure storage space, and periodic flooding that has damaged equipment. Staff argued a new complex would centralize administration, provide modern fleet service space, reduce liability exposure, and improve response times.
Project phasing and probable costs were discussed in detail. Presenters identified the service center at roughly $4.2 million and the service base at roughly $4.5 million; the total current OPCC (opinion of probable construction cost) was presented at about $16.784 million, up from earlier estimates. The presenter asked the council to consider allocating at least $5.5 million from previously issued FY2021 bond proceeds to fund an initial phase.
Finance staff (Mr. Felix) summarized the FY2021 bond allocations: the city’s 2021 series originally provided $27.1 million in proceeds; the public works line originally had $7 million allocated and was later reduced by roughly $900,000, leaving an allocation of about $6.0 million, of which approximately $1.1 million has been spent on design and related expenses. Mr. Felix said roughly $4.8–$4.9 million remains available for Phase 1 depending on final accounting and prior re-allocations.
Council members voiced bipartisan support for a phased approach and urged value engineering to stretch available funds. A motion to review and finalize the design and to direct staff to prepare a construction-phase plan with timeline, cost estimates and funding options passed by voice vote.
The council did not commit a final dollar amount for construction at the meeting; staff were directed to return with detailed funding options and phasing scenarios.
