Commissioners reallocate certificates of obligation to close Bob Hall Pier funding gap, approve IRT materials reallocation

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The Nueces County Commissioners Court voted April 13 to reallocate existing 2021 certificates of obligation (COs) to fill a multi‑million‑dollar shortfall in the Bob Hall Pier reconstruction budget and to cover an immediate material shortage for county road IRT projects.

Budget update: County staff presented a cleaned‑up, all‑in estimate for the Bob Hall Pier at $26,330,187 and identified a shortfall of approximately $2,330,187 after accounting for prior allocations and insurance proceeds. Staff explained that careful line‑item review reduced earlier estimates by removing two mid‑pier bump‑outs and by adding previously unallocated permitting, third‑party testing and contingency amounts.

Reallocation plan: Commissioners approved a package of reallocations from several CO projects (including courthouse security, multipurpose facilities and other capital items) to cover a $2.33 million gap while retaining a modest residual balance to support other needs. The court also approved a reallocation for Immediate Road Treatment (IRT) materials to address a $364,264 shortage so four county roads could be built this summer.

Why it matters: The decisions allow design and procurement work to proceed with Jacobs (engineer) and keep large capital projects on schedule. Commissioners emphasized that nonessential add‑ons (ADA ramps/parking lots and optional bump‑outs) remain for future consideration, to be funded by grants or separate appropriations.

Next steps: County staff will finalize design instructions for Jacobs and proceed to procurement and permitting. Commissioners asked staff to verify contingency assumptions with Jacobs and to report back with any remaining risks or additional funding needs.