Projects funded by a 2022 voter-approved $82 million bond are coming in under budget and creating a windfall for the Taylor Independent School District, trustees learned last week.
School board members sat in stunned silence at least a couple of times as they heard the good news during an update on bond initiatives from Ed Mullins of Rice & Gardner Consultants Inc.
“Outstanding!” said school board President Marco Ortiz.
He asked Mullins how Rice & Gardner managed to come in under budget.
Mullins told trustees the firm was able to get better deals or buyout savings on certain items, and they didn’t use all the money set aside for contingencies.
“It was a team effort,” Mullins said. “Everyone worked hard to be frugal. That money didn’t get spent where it shouldn’t be spent.”
Ortiz applauded the effort.
“Getting this money back shows the community that we picked the right team (for the job),” Ortiz said.
During his report at the March 24 Taylor ISD session, Mullins said they will soon wrap up the bond project.
“We’re getting really close to the end of the 2022 bond,” he said.
Mullins then shared a financial update on the $82 million referendum.
“As of right now, we have $8,808,920 uncommitted, which means it’s returning to (the schools’) pocket,” Mullins said. “That’s money you’ll be able to use on something else.”
The board sat in complete silence for several seconds before trustee Anita Volek told them, “You should be saying ‘yea!’” The trustees then broke their silence with laughter and several shouts of “yea!”
Mullins then said he had better news.
“On top of the $8 million…we have a change order for $2,130,806 that’s also coming back to the district.”
That money is for phase three of the bond, which is work on T.H. Johnson Elementary School, Taylor Middle School and the maintenance facility.
Because the project came in under budget, a change order needed approval from the board and Mullins said, “I recommend you approve the credit.”
The trustees OK’d the measure. Mullins then noted the completion of phase two in a few weeks likely will call for another change-order approval.
Taylor ISD board Vice President Shorty Mitchell wondered if the savings meant everything was provided to ensure the new buildings and designs were covered.
“Everything that was stated in the bond was provided and completed,” Mullins said.
The maintenance facility is behind schedule, but that is because workers were moved off that project while waiting for Oncor to move an electric pole, the consultant said.
“We moved those (workers) over to the other schools so we could get everything done in time for the first day of school,” Mullins said. “We wanted to accomplish that.”
Work on all campuses will be completed when students return this fall to new or renovated buildings, he added.
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“Getting this money back shows the community that we picked the right team (for the job).”
— Marco Ortiz, Taylor ISD board president
