Attorney’s fees for breach of contract under Tex. Loc. Gov’t Code §271.153 valid only if equitable and just – denied for much smaller change order amount
Dowtech Specialty Contractors, Inc. v. City of Weinert, 11-18-00246-CV (Tex. App. – Eastland, September 25, 2020)(mem. op.).
This is a breach of contract dispute where the Eastland Court of Appeals affirmed a trial court judgment awarding Dowtech a small amount of damages, but denied the contract remainder and attorney’s fees.
The City’s water supply is a combination of well water and water obtained from the North Central Texas Municipal Water Authority (the NCTMWA). The well water needed to be treated so the City, using several grants, decided to construct a pressurized system to keep the well water separate from NCTMWA water. During the bid process, the engineer advised the bidders to adjust a line item for instrumentation to allow NCTMWA to control certain valves/parts, but also a separate control system for the City. The revised bid specifically noted that not all necessary components for a full system were specified and the contractor must provide all items needed for a functional system. Dowtech was awarded the bid, but the main difference from the losing bidder was the cost of line item. Later, the City adjusted the pumphouse and issued a change order. When Dowtech asserted it was finished, the City noted it had not installed all parts of the instrumentation system, to which Dowtech asserted the bid did not require an operational system. After Dowtech submitted a final invoice, to which the City asserted it breached the agreement and refused to pay the final invoice. Dowtech sued the City for breach of contract and sought to recover both the contract balance and the charges for the additional work. The City counterclaimed. After a bench trial, the trial court awarded Dowtech $2,052.50 for the pumphouse work, but that Dowtech did not complete all work required by the contract so was not entitled to the contract price. It also denied the request for attorney’s fees and interest. Dowtech appealed.
The Court of Appeals held Dowtech did not plead the affirmative defense that its performance under the contract was excused and does not argue that the issue was tried by consent. But even if it had, the evidence was legally and factually sufficient to support the trial court’s determination Dowtech failed to complete all contracted work. Further, Dowtech did not file a motion for new trial or otherwise object to the trial court’s failure to award prejudgment interest on the change order amount. Therefore, Dowtech failed to preserve this issue for appeal. Additionally, because the suit was brought under Tex. Loc. Gov’t Code §271.153, attorney’s fees can only be awarded if equitable and just. The trial court had discretion to award fees and the fact both parties failed in their primary claims (with Dowtech winning only as to the much smaller change order amount), the Court of Appeals felt the record did not reflect an arbitrary or unreasonable decision by the trial judge. The judgment was affirmed.
If you would like to read this opinion click here. The panel consists of Chief Justice Bailey, Justice Stretcher, and Senior Justice Wright. Memorandum opinion by Chief Justice Bailey.
