The specifics
MISD leaders initially requested the city fund 50% of the waterline upgrades, or about $112,177, according to the March 26 meeting agenda. City Council unanimously voted to fund up to $75,000 for the upgrades.
“I don't think you're setting a bad precedent by entering into a cost-sharing agreement,” City Attorney Caleb Villarreal said. “This can be considered on a case-by-case basis.”
MISD’s CTE and ag science centers are estimated to cost a combined $80 million total—funded by the district's $326.9 million 2022 bond—and are scheduled to be completed in July 2025.
In their own words
“Even though there could have been miscommunication on our side as well as their side, ... I just think for the goodwill of the community that we ought to bite the bullet and pay [the cost share] if we’ve got the money,” council member Stan Donaldson said.
How we got here
In mid-November, preconstruction work began on MISD’s CTE and ag science centers, which are set to be located along Lone Star Parkway between Buffalo Springs and Plez Morgan drives, as previously reported by Community Impact. To receive project permits from the city to complete the rest of the needed work on the projects, MISD could be required to complete waterline upgrades and $185,000 in landscaping, Chief Operations Officer Kris Lynn said Feb. 20.
MISD leaders met with City Council on Feb. 27 to discuss the project and upgrade requests. At that meeting, Montgomery City Administrator Gary Palmer said he is confident he and MISD leaders can “work the landscaping stuff out” without a vote from City Council.
What else?
On Jan. 23, the board approved the guaranteed maximum price of $65.3 million for construction costs on the district’s CTE and ag centers, as previously reported by Community Impact.
