New City Council Members: Why work previously estimated at $734,500 is now estimated at $1,334,500

New City Council Members: Why work previously estimated at $734,500 is now estimated at $1,334,500
Posted on May 24, 2007 at 02:15:07 AM by Jaime Kenedeno

CORPUS CHRISTI — New City Council members Nelda Martinez, Mike Hummell and Mike McCutchon wasted no time questioning city spending Tuesday, moments after they were sworn-in.

The three immediately voiced concern Tuesday over a request for $600,000 more than had been first estimated for the city's participation in a groundwater drilling study with San Patricio Municipal Water District.

Martinez asked Assistant City Manager Ron Massey why work previously estimated at $734,500 and is now estimated at $1,334,500.

The council approved $1,015,735 for the project in December.

After some discussion Tuesday, the issue was tabled to take up at the city's next meeting.

Massey deferred most questions to Steve Petersen of Malcolm Pirnie, the company working with the district on the study.

Petersen said the previous estimate did not include specifics, and that the drilling company's costs are up because it is able to demand more as requests for its services have increased overall.

Hummell questioned why there wasn't a set price for the drillers when the first estimate was made.

McCutchon wondered if the project should be re-bid, because the increase so drastically changes the amount requested.

Massey said the contract is with the water district, and the city's action is only to reimburse them for a portion of associated costs.

Hummell, Martinez, McCutchon and fellow new Council members Larry Elizondo and Priscilla Leal were sworn in Tuesday.

Contact Beth Wilson at 886-3748 or wilsonb@caller.com.
Post Your Comments

Posted by drtcpip on May 23, 2007 at 8:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Aready we see the impact of fresh faces on saving taxpayers money. Thanks new councilmen for asking the questions the status quo avoided. Pease please fire Tom Utter(ly Useless).

Posted by martinel12 on May 23, 2007 at 1:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Good work. Maybe they'll start to ask questions about the camera stop light ticket system corpus is installing (this city's idea of generating revenue). Hopefully we'll break even on that this year.

Posted by drtcpip on May 23, 2007 at 11:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Keep to Stop Light Cameras, but prevent RoboCop from giving speeding tickets as money source for the city.

http://caller.com/news/2007/may/23/new-members-question-drill-study-cost/