No matter who ends up paying for long-overdue and badly needed repairs to buildings at the state’s six universities, it is going to be a very costly bill.

Regardless of whether the poor maintenance is due to a lack of proper state funding or careless use of state dollars sent to these schools, the fact remains that many buildings are in bad shape and need attention.

This being the case, state taxpayers who probably will end up paying the bills should demand that every dollar be spent as carefully as possible. It’s common knowledge that it is far easier to spend someone else’s money than to spend your own, and architects, builders and others in the construction business often are a bit generous in how they estimate, build and charge.

Perfect evidence of this was provided when the state appointed the University Research and Development Enhancement Corp. This body was created to watch the expenses associated with three state building projects at the Kansas University Medical Center, Kansas State University and Wichita State University.

The eight-member board stayed on top of these projects and did everything it could to make sure tax dollars were spent as carefully as possible. For example, architects were told they must tell URDEC members what their fees would be before they submitted their bids. There was far more than the usual oversight on the three projects.

It is estimated that taxpayers saved between $15 million and $20 million on the projects, which totaled approximately $125 million to $130 million. If the building repair job at the state universities is estimated to be in the neighborhood of $600 million, consider what a similar savings would mean to the state.

Also, estimates for building repairs were made by university employees. It would be interesting to know how careful they were in making their estimates and what the actual costs might be if the projects are put up for competitive bids rather than handled by convenient, friendly builders.

State lawmakers should reconstitute the University Research and Development Enhancement Corp., and, if possible appoint the same individuals who served with such distinction. Former Kansas Board of Regents Chairman Clay Blair of Johnson County chaired the corporation. Other members were Dan Craig, Merriam; Mike Daniels, Manhattan; Dean Ferrell, vice chairman, Topeka; Regent James Grier, Wichita; and Gary Hibbs, Lloyd Lavin Sr. and Rep. Rocky Nichols, all of Topeka.

It was a smart move by state legislators to create such a body. The members did their work well, and Kansas taxpayers should be appreciative of their efforts. It would be good for the state if a similar body with the same members could be established.

There is no justification for not spending every penny of the estimated $600 million both carefully and efficiently.