EDITORIAL: Overruns Hurt Credibility

By The Kansas City Star, Mo.

Jan. 30–K ansas City isn’t alone in struggling with cost overruns on capital improvements.

While most attention has centered on the rising cost of the downtown arena, Overland Park and Olathe recently reported they will have to come up with millions of extra tax dollars for two projects.

Officials say rising construction costs are partly to blame. But it appears the two Johnson County cities also made significant mistakes.

The budget for a proposed community center near downtown Overland Park has jumped 21 percent, to $20.5 million from $16.9 million. Among other problems, the original plans didn’t comply with fire codes or include the pumps to provide sufficient water pressure.

Olathe City Council members were stunned to learn recently that a proposed fire station could cost $3.5 million, or 66 percent more than once estimated. City staff had not revised the project’s budget for several years. “To find this out this late is out of control,” said Councilman Jim Randall.

Such surprises reduce the public credibility of local governments.

Officials in Overland Park and Olathe need to pin down final construction expenses for these two projects. Both should be scrutinized to see whether costs ought to be pared down.

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Copyright (c) 2006, The Kansas City Star, Mo.

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