Chambers County Commission Court on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, voted to approve a series of contracts, change orders and policy updates and to adopt the 2021 International Fire Code amendments for local implementation. Commissioners also voted to provide a limited ARPA contribution for a grant-funded wastewater project and approved transfers and purchases tied to county capital projects.

The court adopted the county’s 2025 Financial Management, Investment and Fraud, Waste and Abuse policies. It approved a pool of architect/engineering firms selected through an RFQ process to serve county projects and approved multiple contract change orders on the county’s West Annex and other capital projects. The court approved a $59,110 contract to clear a drainage pathway from FM 2354 to Trinity Bay and accepted a bill of sale transferring a wastewater-treatment plant to the Trinity Bay Conservation District as required by prior grant agreements. Commissioners voted to use county ARPA funds to cover a portion of added permitting costs associated with that grant-funded project.

Several land‑ and right‑of‑way matters were also approved or advanced: the court set a public hearing for Feb. 25, 2025, for Van Damme Road, Warren Road and Pablo Road; approved purchase of two tracts along FM 3184 (Project Hazel Court) and approved a development agreement with Southeast 54 LLC for right‑of‑way acquisition and cost‑sharing subject to attorney review and final approval. Several procurement and construction items were approved, and a set of other items were tabled for further review, including a job‑order contracting selection for an emergency services and warehouse expansion (the court directed staff to seek revised pricing and additional competitive proposals). The court also approved furniture and FF&E coordination for the new Chambers County Justice Center.

Why it matters: The approvals move forward multiple county construction and infrastructure projects that affect drainage, public facilities and right‑of‑way for planned road projects. The ARPA contribution and transfer of the wastewater facility document the county’s continuing role as a contracting agency on certain grant projects.

Votes at a glance (items recorded in the meeting minutes):
- Set public hearing: Van Damme Road, Warren Road and Pablo Road — motion passed.
- Approve 2025 Financial Management, Investment, and Fraud/Waste/Abuse policies — motion passed.
- Amend SH 99 (Grand Parkway) market valuation waiver agreement — considered; motion carried.
- Purchase two tracts along FM 3184 (Project Hazel Court right‑of‑way) — motion passed (executive session follow‑up recorded).
- Approve RFQ pool of architects/engineers — motion passed.
- Approve change order (no‑cost) to extend Oak Street Bridge contract completion date — motion passed.
- Approve survey work for proposed boat ramp (topographic survey) — motion passed.
- Approve bill of sale transferring Trinity Bay Conservation District wastewater improvements to TVCD — motion passed.
- Approve use of ARPA funds ($23,500 shown in packet) to supplement permitting costs on a grant project — motion passed.
- Approve drainage cleanout (FM 2354 to Trinity Bay) $59,110 — motion passed.
- Approve multiple West Annex change orders and related contingency reallocations as presented — motions passed.
- Approve procurement of BKP for sheriff’s training facility design — motion passed.
- Approve Manning Solutions FF&E coordination for Chambers County Justice Center — $25,000, motion passed.
- Take Wonderful Bees drainage/permitting request to be reviewed by county staff (item tabled for additional documentation/Zach review) — court directed additional review.
- Job-order contracting (Aggieland Construction) for emergency service/warehouse expansion — court directed staff to seek revised pricing and additional competitive proposals and return in two weeks (item not finally approved at this meeting).

No action / executive‑session notes: the court took several items into executive session; court minutes record that for certain matters (notably portion of the Nelson Road discussion) no additional public action was required because the court had previously taken action.

Ending: The court closed its business after handling the consent docket and recessed for and returned from executive session; follow‑up items were scheduled or tabled for future court meetings.