Chambers County approves $9.33M drainage contract, ARPA-funded county magazine and a package of parks and construction items

The Chambers County Commissioners Court on July 22 approved a $9,333,333 contract to Texas Materials for Antwax Drainage Improvements, adopted a resolution recognizing Aug. 3–9 as Health Center Week and moved forward with a series of parks and construction contracts and small grants.

Stacy Brown, director of branch management at Chambers Community Health Centers, told the court the center served roughly 17,700 unduplicated patients in 2024 and provided medical, dental and behavioral health services across three clinics. "The recognition means everything to our mission of providing accessible health care to all residents of Chambers County, and beyond," Brown said as the court read and adopted a proclamation naming Aug. 3–9 Health Center Week.

The court awarded the Antwax Drainage Improvements contract, a Community Development Block Grant–funded project, after staff noted the recommended contractor was not the absolute low bidder but that the difference was about 1 percent and that staff had prior positive experience with the recommended firm. Staff said a notice to proceed and a pre-construction meeting are expected within about two weeks, with active staging beginning roughly a month later. Officials warned the project will be lengthy and may disrupt local traffic; staff pledged daily access to residences and a construction manager on-site multiple days per week.

Economic development staff requested and the court approved the use of $85,000 in unused ARPA funds to produce a county-owned magazine, with staff describing plans for two issues (spring and a December edition) to be mailed countywide to roughly 56,000 households. Staff said a recurring annual budget for two issues would be closer to $130,000 and asked the budget committee to consider a standing allocation for future years.

Tourism staff recommended and the court approved $63,000 in 2026 hotel occupancy tax funds split among festival and event applicants: $25,000 each to Texas RISE Festival and Gatorfest, $8,500 to NerdCon and $4,500 to the Johnny Acre Memorial Rodeo. Staff said one additional complex application was deferred to the next court meeting for fuller review.

On parks and capital projects, the court approved several items including a $3,359,947.15 KMI Sports contract for work at Winnie Park; a $200,352 shore‑line contract to repair Cedar Hill Park bulkheads; a $21,450 award to Adewac Electric to upgrade stage power and lighting at Whitney Park; a $15,000 increase in architect fees for the Blythe Park show barn; and a roughly $17,829 contract for repairs at Old River EMS.

Parks staff asked the court to approve $4,098.03 to buy football equipment for the Antwax Youth Sports Organization (AYSO) from BSN Sports; commissioners discussed whether purchases for private or quasi‑private leagues should be handled case-by-case and asked staff and the budget committee to propose a policy or cap (discussion referenced keeping typical small purchases under $5,000); the court approved the AYSO purchase.

Commissioners also discussed a planned maintenance/weld shop behind the parks office. Staff reported two preliminary quotes and asked how to proceed; a commissioner noted an impending change in Texas procurement law effective Sept. 1 that raises an informal threshold from $50,000 to $100,000. Given that change, the court elected to pull the weld shop item and return with the existing quotes after the law takes effect so the quotes could be considered without a full public posting.

The court approved consent agenda items, recessed for executive session at about 10:02 a.m. and reconvened at about 10:50 a.m. Following executive session, the court voted to approve permit applications from Hutchison and Associates for duplexes at Crystal Lake RV Resort.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution: Designate Aug. 3–9, 2025, Health Center Week in Chambers County — approved (motion and vote recorded on the record). - Reject Timber Ridge bids and re-bid with revised scope — approved. - Refer agenda item 4.2 (Hutchison duplex permits) to executive session — carried; item approved after executive session. - Allocate $85,000 in unused ARPA funds for a county magazine (initial issue) — approved. - Approve HOT fund awards totaling $63,000 as recommended — approved. - Award Antwax Drainage Improvements contract to Texas Materials, $9,333,333 (CDBG-funded) — approved. - Approve purchase of football equipment for Antwax Youth Sports Organization, $4,098.03 to BSN Sports — approved. - Award KMI Sports construction at Winnie Park, $3,359,947.15 — approved. - Pull weld shop RFP item to return after Sept. 1 procurement threshold change — pulled/postponed. - Award Cedar Hill Park bulkhead repair (shoreline contract), $200,352 — approved. - Issue RFP for BC Park parking lot/grading/drainage — approved to solicit. - Issue CMAR RFP for East Annex and American Legion Hall — approved. - Award Old River EMS repairs, $17,828.88 — approved. - Approve additional BKP architect fees for Blythe Park, $15,000 — approved. - Award electrical upgrade for Whitney Park stage to Adewac Electric, $21,450 — approved.

What’s next: staff will schedule pre-construction work for awarded projects, the budget committee will consider a recurring allocation for a county magazine, and the court will revisit pulled procurement items after the Sept. 1 procurement threshold change.

Reporting note: quotes and attributions in this summary come from speakers recorded in the court transcript (Stacy Brown, Rodney, John and other named staff) and from court motions entered on the record.