Katy ISD amends capital budget to add $292,500 design services for Opportunity Awareness Center

Katy ISD staff asked trustees on Monday to approve a budget amendment of $292,500 to cover design services for a proposed Opportunity Awareness Center, with the cost to be funded from bond interest proceeds.

Esperanza Rios, director of budget and treasury, presented the amendment for the Capital Projects Fund and said the expense will be paid with bond interest proceeds and "result to no impact to the Capital Projects Fund fund balance."

Nut graf: The design expenditure follows the board's August approval of the Opportunity Awareness Center facility; staff said the amount is for professional design services and the funding source is bond interest, not district maintenance or operating funds.

Trustees asked whether the figure had been included in prior materials; one trustee noted the construction budget and AIA contract included a construction‑cost estimate of about $7.5 million, and staff confirmed the cost information was included in the prior packet but the formal amendment is recorded now.

Ending: The board did not take immediate roll call action on the amendment during the meeting presentation; staff said the amendment will be included in the formal budget documents and returned for action as required by board policy.