Anahuac drainage project to begin soon

ANAHUAC— The county will soon begin its drainage improvement project for the north area of the city, which should help mitigate flooding risks during storms.

Chambers County Commissioners Court met on Tuesday, Nov. 25, discussing the drainage project, as well as the golf course and a few other projects.

The court approved a contract with Freese and Nichols, Inc., for management services for the Anahuac Drainage Improvement Project.

The project, which should begin in early January, is to install new storm sewers along North Texas Avenue, Work Street and Main Street, to drain into Lake Anahuac.

Additionally, the project will include reshaping the ditches along North Texas Avenue from Canal Street to Sulivan, Work, Main, Hamilton and Houston Streets. The regrading will allow stormwater to go to the new storm sewer.

The project also includes street improvements, such as pavement reconstruction and driveway replacements, on North Texas Avenue, Work Street and E. Main Street.

To pair with the new show barn at Whites Park, commissioners approved a storage building for the park, as there were enough extra funds in the budget to do so.

Parks and Recreation Director John Parrott discussed new green fee rates for the county golf course for the 2026-27 year.

Parrott said the point of sales system has over 30 rates, and the goal was to provide a better system for both employees and members.

"It's all over the place," Parrott said. "We want to just streamline it."

Parrott shared the updated green fees.

As of now, non-member seniors pay $16 and members pay $12. For all seniors, it will be a $14 fee.

For non-members, it's a $20 fee and $14 for members. The new fee will be $18, but on the weekends and holidays, everyone will be charged a $25 fee.

Parrott said while construction is ongoing, it was unfair to charge members, so during that time, the course won't have memberships. He added that he would come back to court around mid-2026 to lay out a new membership plan.

The court approved for Coastal Power Projects to install a docking station and manual transfer switch to the courthouse for $54,400.

"It's sort of long overdue," Building Maintenance Director Michael Gafford said.

This acts as a fail-safe for the courthouse generator, which County Clerk Heather Hawthorne expressed appreciation for, noting the court records.

Commissioners decided to rebid the Timber Ridge Road Rehabilitation Project as the lowest bid came in at about $150,000 over budget. The project will be a mile north of FM 565 off FM 1409.

During discussion on the item, Commissioner Precinct 3 Tommy Hammond asked how many bid were received for the project, to which County Engineer Zachary Vogler responded, saying one.

After brief talks on the bid, Vogler assured the court that the next proposal should have more responses.

"I have faith in this one that we should be good," Vogler said.

Charlie Miller, a candidate for Texas Senate District 4, was in attendance to meet the court, as well as listen in to the discussions.

Miller addressed the court, saying he is a small-town guy, business owner and a veteran.

Miller said he hopes to pass common-sense laws that are easy to understand and easy to follow.