Which of these is a reason a governing body may choose to abandon a project?

A governing body may choose to abandon a project if the bids exceed the cost estimate because it indicates that the financial resources required to complete the project are significantly greater than anticipated. Budgets are generally carefully planned to ensure that projects remain feasible within available funding. When actual bids come in higher than the estimates, it raises concerns about fiscal responsibility and the impact on other municipal funding priorities. This situation could lead to reassessing the project’s viability and ultimately deciding to abandon it rather than proceed with an over-budget plan that could compromise future expenditures.

While public opposition, new regulations, and contractor availability are also valid considerations that could influence a project's continuation, the financial implications of exceeding cost estimates often carry significant weight in decision-making processes. Therefore, if a project is found to be fiscally unviable due to high bids, abandoning it becomes a logical and responsible choice to protect the municipality's financial health.