El Campo’s plan for a new public works facility stalled after the city council rejected its $3 million price tag and a proposed nonvoter-approved bond. City Manager Courtney Sladek tied the request to a $1.5 million wastewater treatment plant upgrade, warning the city must issue debt to stay in compliance with TCEQ. While that project would be funded through utility fees, cost overruns elsewhere forced new borrowing. The public works building would raise property taxes by a cent per $100, with Mayor Pro Tem Blake Barger calling it “atrocious.” Council will revisit the issue soon.