County approves notice to issue $50M in Certificates of Obligation including $5M for public safety

Chambers County commissioners voted to publish a notice of intent to issue Certificates of Obligation for a proposed $50 million project package that includes a $5 million, 10‑year tranche earmarked for public‑safety equipment.

At the meeting, county finance staff said the $5 million would fund items with shorter lifespans—“cameras, Tazers, cameras, software, vehicles, body cameras,” and related equipment—while a separate $45 million, 30‑year tranche would cover longer‑lived projects such as roads and buildings. The presenter estimated the combined debt-service impact would be “a 0.018¢ increase” on the tax rate if the court moves forward. “This would be really the last court date to approve going out for COs,” staff said during the presentation.

Commission discussion focused on term lengths and the effect on tax rates; commissioners were told the proposed 10‑year term for public safety keeps financing costs lower for equipment. After questions and a brief exchange, a motion to approve publication of the notice passed on a 3–2 vote; the court recorded two nays and announced the measure carried 3–2.

The court’s action authorizes staff to publish the notice of intent to issue the Certificates; bidders and the actual borrowing terms will be set later if the court elects to accept bids and issue the debt.