Chambers County moves forward with $50 million notice for road and drainage certificates of obligation

Chambers County Commissioners Court on Aug. 5 discussed a notice of intent to issue Chambers County, Texas, combination tax-and-revenue certificates of obligation, series 2025, that staff said is limited to roads, bridges and drainage improvements and related professional services. County staff told the court the notice is the formal first step and that any actual sale and approval of a bid would occur at a subsequent commissioners-court meeting.

Several residents told the court they supported using certificates of obligation for basic infrastructure. "I was pleasantly surprised and encouraged to see that everything on there is a road or a drainage project," said Rachel Heisler, a Double Bayou resident who reviewed the posted project list. Commissioner-ally Bill Wallace also urged the court to act quickly, saying the county now has resources to back long-needed projects.

Other speakers urged caution on timing. "I'm a little curious as why you're doing it right now," said AC (Andrew) Lowe, who questioned selling debt when federal interest rates may fall and observed the legal notice appears broader than the specific project list the public saw. County staff replied that the notice as drafted is directed to road and drainage uses and that the county typically posts the notice, then approves the sale and bid at a later meeting; staff also said the sale is expected in September and that market volatility makes same-day approvals desirable.

Commissioners debated whether to add a suggested $6,000,000 bio-drainage project to the posted $50,000,000 amount. Staff noted that the posted notice can be reduced later but increasing the posted amount would require reissuing notices and consulting bond counsel. The court agreed to keep the notice at $50,000,000 and pursue other avenues, such as partnering with drainage districts or seeking grants, for additional projects.

Residents and HOA representatives pressed for accuracy in the project list. A $300,000 detention-pond item originally listed as "Majestic Drive" was identified by residents and county staff as belonging to Falcons Point (Landon Lane). Commissioner Gore moved and Commissioner Tice seconded a motion to correct the street name in the project list; the court voted in favor and the motion carried.

County staff said some projects on the list come from a regional detention study and that larger projects may be paired with grant applications or match money. The court recessed to executive session late in the meeting and returned with no reportable action before adjourning.

The court did not provide a roll-call vote tally on the CEO-related motions in the meeting record; minutes indicate motions carried.