Jersey Village Council Approves $8.1 Million Cap for New City Campus Construction

The Jersey Village City Council authorized the final construction budget for the new civic center on Monday evening.

Members voted four to one to accept a guaranteed maximum price of $8.1 million for the first phase of the City Campus project. The single dissenting vote came from Council member Simon Hughes. The total project cost, which includes architecture and engineering fees, stands at $9.3 million according to meeting documents. The city did not issue new debt for this work. Officials had previously allocated $9.5 million for phase one in the fiscal year 2026-27 budget adopted in August. Finance Director Jennifer Brown stated that the general fund balance will end the fiscal year at $4.64 million. That figure exceeds the required reserves by $846,000.

The council selected a pay-as-you-go financing method after voters rejected three separate bond proposals. Those attempts occurred in 1990, 2002, and November 2025. Council member Greg Holden described the lack of a new city hall as the city's largest deferred maintenance item. He noted that the need for modern facilities was not accidental but the result of long-term delay.

Hughes expressed concern that the city should have used bond funds for the initial phase. He argued that approach would allow the city to use its current fund balance for the second phase more quickly. He worried that community groups currently using city spaces will lose their locations once construction begins. City Manager Austin Bleess responded that staff have informed all affected users that their current arrangements are temporary. Bleess said every group agreed to the temporary status. Holden asked staff to explore policy changes or alternative arrangements to support those organizations during the construction period. Hughes added that the city seems eager to retain these community gathering spots while it builds better administrative offices.

Meeting documents indicate the notice-to-proceed date is December 1. Construction is expected to take eight months. The council also named Connie Rossi as the representative and Michael Brittain as the alternate for the Houston-Galveston Area Council general assembly in December 2026. The board approved several purchases, including new vehicles for the police department.

The first phase of the City Campus project includes new office space for administration and public works facilities.