Ennis commission suspends construction and design contracts for proposed Community Services Center amid funding shortfall

The Ennis City Commission voted on Aug. 20 to suspend the construction‑manager‑at‑risk (CMAR) and architectural contracts for the proposed Community Services Center after commissioners said the city does not have funds budgeted to operate and maintain the facility.

Commissioners debated the project following a presentation from Ennis Cares Director Kristen Rudd, who described a planned one‑stop facility on the city‑owned West Lampasas site that would house partners including Hope Clinic, Catholic Charities’ Choice Food Pantry, United Way, MHMR of Tarrant County, the Children’s Advocacy Center of Ellis County and senior services. Rudd said the building would include a commercial kitchen, laundry, showers and a large multipurpose room, and she emphasized that “this building is not a homeless shelter.”

Commissioner John Haney questioned how the facility would be sustained over time, asking, “Where’s the money gonna come from?” Interim City Manager Ortiz and Mayor Cameron Rayburn said the city’s proposed FY2025 budget includes no line‑item to pay ongoing operating or maintenance costs for the new facility. Rayburn told colleagues, “We do not have the funding to be able to construct, maintain, and operate this facility moving forward.”

After discussion, Commissioner Haney moved to suspend the CMAR contract (Seymour/Still and Freeman as identified in project materials) and the architectural development contract and to authorize the mayor, in consultation with the city manager and city attorney, to execute any documents needed to carry out that suspension. Commissioner Jones seconded the motion. The motion carried on a voice vote.

The record presented at the meeting showed the construction‑manager‑at‑risk award previously identified at $1,312,618 plus a 3.4% guaranteed‑maximum‑price component in earlier project materials; the commission’s motion does not cancel Ennis Cares’ services but pauses contract activity while the city evaluates funding and contract obligations.

Members of the public who had spoken earlier at the meeting urged continued support for Ennis Cares and its partnership model; commissioners said they support the agency’s services but must be fiscally responsible about new capital commitments. The suspension authorizes city staff and the mayor to take the administrative steps needed to pause the contracts and check legal and budgetary implications.

Next steps specified by the motion empower the mayor and city manager, in consultation with the city attorney, to execute suspension paperwork; the commission did not set a date to resume the contracts or provide a funding plan before construction.