Chambers County moves to publish notice for $50M certificates of obligation for roads and drainage; public raises timing and scope concerns

Chambers County on Aug. 5 voted to publish a notice of intent to issue combination tax and revenue certificates of obligation, series 2025, that county staff said is limited to highways, road and bridge work, streets, flood-control and drainage improvements, related utilities and professional services tied to those projects.

County staff told the court the published notice explicitly identifies uses for design, construction and maintenance of county highways, roads and drainage and identified bond-related expenses such as bond counsel and ratings. "This is just for roads and drainage," a county staff member said when outlining the notice.

Several residents and one commissioner voiced support for using CEO debt for infrastructure while urging better disclosure and careful timing. Rachel Heisler of Double Bayou said she was "pleasantly surprised and encouraged" to see the list focused on roads and drainage and that this issuance "is something that I have been advocating for for a while now." AC (Andrew) Lowe urged caution on timing and clarity, saying prior notices were too broad and warning that higher rates now could cost the county more in the long run.

Commissioners and staff discussed market timing for the sale, noting the county typically approves the sale at a later court date and that the bonds must be priced in September to include the debt service in the tax rate. Commissioners asked staff to check how an upcoming Federal Reserve meeting could affect pricing; staff said the market is volatile and selling in September is typical practice.

The court debated whether to add a $6 million bio-drainage project to the $50 million notice. Staff advised that after publication the county may lower the project total but cannot increase the published total without issuing a new notice and consulting bond counsel. The budget committee had recommended keeping the notice at $50 million.

The court approved a related, ministerial motion to correct a project location name in the published list (changing an item labeled "Majestic Drive" to reflect the correct location, Landon Lane). No vote tallies were recorded in the minutes beyond the presiding officer announcing the motion "carried."

What’s next: The notice publication advances the process; any actual sale and adoption of a tax rate would occur at a future commissioners court meeting and would include formal approval of the sale and pricing.

Sources: Public comments and in-meeting staff explanations during the Aug. 5, 2025 Chambers County Commissioners Court special call meeting.