Duncanville council weighs $50 million police bond as ancillary costs mount

DUNCANVILLE — City officials dug into several options for a new police facility at the Council’s Aug. 4 meeting, with staff and consultants laying out a choice between a roughly $50 million new-build and a series of renovation or expansion alternatives.

CFO Richard Jackson summarized tax-rate scenarios tied to different project sizes, telling council the largest option would add “about 7.5¢ on the debt rate” in one presented scenario. Mayor/Chair (speaker 2) pressed on affordability and the unanswered question of ancillary costs, which staff estimated at about $8 million. The mayor framed the trade-offs plainly: “We have to acknowledge that that’s in our midst, and we gotta deal with it,” he said.

Consultants described two tracks: a smaller renovation plan that focuses on ADA compliance and cosmetic upgrades (about $1.01 million) and a more comprehensive reconfiguration estimate (about $5.9 million) that excludes site work. Staff warned that demolition, utilities and moving costs would likely be additional expenses and noted that staging, relocation and furniture/fixtures remain to be budgeted.

Council discussed timing for a potential bond election and the legal deadline to call a November election (Aug. 17). Several members said the compressed calendar and outstanding engineering and drainage questions weigh against rushing a November ballot. The mayor asked staff to prepare an ordinance calling a $50 million election and return to the council at the Aug. 10 budget meeting to finalize details; staff will also explore lower-cost alternatives and grant opportunities.

What’s next: Staff will prepare the ordinance drafts and follow up with more detailed cost and drainage analyses; council signaled a desire for more time to resolve ancillary-cost and utility questions before a binding vote on calling an election.