Court Opinion

ID: 9773880
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-29 18:02:03.409419+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:53:09.391439
License: Public Domain

APPENDIX No. 133,767
THE STATE OF TEXAS
COUNTY OF BEXAR
BEFORE ME, the undersigned authority, on this day personally appeared WILLIAM V. BROWN, who after being duly sworn upon his oath disposed and stated as follows:
My name is William V. Brown, and I have personal knowledge of each and every fact stated in this affidavit. I was a member of the Board of Regents of the Texas State Teachers Colleges on the 14th day of August, 1958, and I was present, and took part in the negotiations between the Southwest Texas State Teachers College and Walter E. Goetz concerning a contract to build improvements at the Teachers College at San Marcos, Texas.
A mistake in the bid of Walter Goetz had been brought to the attention of the Board of Regents, and a great deal of discussion had been had between the members of the Board of Regents and Walter Goetz. The Board determined that the mistake was bona fide and that it should be remedied.
After discussion and consideration of the problems involved, there was some question in the minds of some of the members of the Board of Regents as to whether or not the Board of Regents had the legal authority to enter into a contract with Goetz exceeding the amount which he had mistakenly bid. By agreement of both parties, it was decided that the Board of Regents would pay an additional $17,000.00 (which figure was arrived at by compromise and settlement) if the Board of Regents had the legal authority to do so.
This agreement was made before the acceptance and execution of the contract with Mr. Walter Goetz, as I recall. This contract was made about ten (10) years ago, and I have to rely on my memory of what transpired regarding this transaction, aided by the official minutes of this meeting which I have just read which refreshed my memory on what transpired at the meeting. It was the consensius of the Board of Regents that the Board would pay the $17,000.00 if it could lawfully do so and would do so if advised by the attorney general or other authority that it would be legal to do so. If the Attorney General or other authority ruled that it could be done, I considered it a part of the Contract.
The agreement to pay the addition $17,000.00 was Not a gift or a grant to Walter Goetz, but was a promise given as consideration for the execution of the contract dated August 14, 1958, but was just compensation due Mr. Goetz by reason of the *Page 297 
error, and to compensate him for his loss on his bid, occasioned by error.
William Brown ________________________ William V. Brown
SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN TO this 11th day of September, A.D., 1968.
Mary Heslop __________________________________ Notary Public — Bowie County,
Texas