On Monday, the Chambers County Commission split 3-3 on a proposal supporting construction and operation of a new county high school
The Chambers County Commission rejected a proposed funding agreement with the Chambers County Board of Education on Monday after commissioners split 3-3 on an annual commitment of up to $1.5 million for a new county high school.
The agreement would have provided financial support for the school beginning in fiscal year 2027. Because the six-member commission produced a tie vote, the resolution failed.
Commissioners Charlie Williams, Douglas Jones and James Williams voted against the measure. Commissioners Sam Bradford, David Eastridge and Debra Riley voted in favor. Eastridge said he supported it because the agreement covered only one year at a time, allowing a future commission to reconsider it.
The proposed high school would serve public-school students throughout Chambers County except those in Lanett. The resolution followed the commission’s February decision to extend an education sales and use tax for an additional 10 years, through July 1, 2055.
Under the rejected agreement, the county’s maximum obligation would have been $1.5 million annually. Continuing the agreement beyond the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2027, would have required at least four commissioners to approve a renewal each year.
The proposal also contained several financial safeguards. The Board of Education represented that it had $2.7 million in reserves available for debt service and intended to add another $1 million. It would have been required to provide quarterly and annual financial statements, along with advance notice and supporting records before requesting county money to cover a shortfall.
The county would not have been required to make a payment until the City of Valley contributed $1.5 million under its own funding agreement. The county’s obligation also could have been reduced or terminated if voters approved a new property tax producing sufficient education revenue. Other provisions would have ended the agreement if Valley began studying the creation of a separate municipal school system or if the school board obtained unitary status and was released from federal court supervision.
Several commissioners said they supported the concept of a new high school but questioned whether the county could afford the commitment while addressing roads, water service and other infrastructure needs. Concerns were also raised about the school system’s planning and the location of the proposed campus.
One commissioner characterized the potential expense as a 30-year commitment totaling $45 million for the county alone. Others emphasized that the commission needed to evaluate the request as a financial decision rather than as a measure of its support for children or public education.
Supporters warned that failure to build the school could have long-term consequences for students and the county school system. They also noted concessions made by the City of Valley and argued that the project was intended to serve children across the county.
Other commission business
Before the school-funding debate, the commission approved a $126,000 agreement with the Lee County Youth Development Center for juvenile detention beds. Officials said the cost represents a 30.38% increase over the previous year. The commission also approved a fiscal 2027 long-term detention subsidy contract.
Commissioners reappointed Jerome Bailey to the Chambers County Department of Human Resources Board for a six-year term expiring June 18, 2032. County Attorney Skip McCoy was reappointed to the county recreational board for another five-year term.
The commission adopted an updated 2025-2030 regional multi-jurisdictional hazard mitigation plan and approved an Emergency Management Performance Grant cooperative agreement totaling $40,795.
Officials also accepted a $65,000 Innovate Alabama grant for the Med Station in LaFayette. The grant requires no county match, but the money must be spent within one year.
New county alcohol-license fees were approved following changes made during the 2026 legislative session. The fees include:
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$1,000 for a small craft distillery.
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$1,000 for a small craft winery.
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$2,000 for a hybrid craft alcohol beverage complex.
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$150 for a tasting-room extension.
Community corrections and road projects
The county’s Community Corrections Program reported 19 participants, including seven receiving inpatient substance-abuse treatment. Five people were enrolled in the misdemeanor program. Eight participants had completed the program during the year, while four had been terminated.
The program was found to be in “substantial compliance” during an April assessment by the Alabama Department of Corrections. It is also expected to receive an opioid-response kit containing naloxone, personal protective equipment and an instructional display.
County officials said paving work was expected to begin on County Road 114, followed by County Road 266. Work on County Road 83, supported by an approximately $430,000 safety grant, is expected later in the year. The grant will cover 90% of the project, with the county responsible for the remaining 10%.
Work also continues on County Roads 62 and 9. Officials estimated that resurfacing an existing paved road generally costs between $150,000 and $200,000 per mile, although county crews can complete some work for less. Paving an unpaved road can cost more than $1 million per mile, depending on drainage, right-of-way and utility needs.
During public comments, Commissioner James “Moto” Williams delivered remarks regarding trash pick up and urged residents to contact their district commissioners promptly when garbage collection is missed. Williams said commissioners have direct contacts who may be able to resolve collection problems more quickly than the company’s general customer-service line.
Williams also adressed a special tree dedication.
“As all of you know, July the 4th, 2026 marked the 250th anniversary of the United States of America. And I look around here and I see a lot of folks in here, a few folks that don’t remember when 1976 we had our centennial. I do remember it. I ain’t going to say how old I was, but I do remember it. But we have after today’s commission meeting, all y’all are welcome to join us, but we’ll all, all the commissioners is going to be going up to the rodeo ran. We have an American Elm that’s been planning up there in dedication of 250 years.
Mr. McCoy gave the history behind that 250 years when we were up there. And we received a grant. This is not taxpayer dollars that we’re spending. We try to save it off of the roads and the jail. but we got a grant to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States. One of the things we’ve done we bought a marker it hasn’t come in yet that’ll be up at the tree but another thing we have done is we have purchased these I call them challenge coins that each county employee will receive one”, said Williams.
Williams then recognized four county employees and presented them with challenge coins for their hard work on the initiative.
The commission meeting concluded with plans for a ceremony at the Chambers County Rodeo Arena marking the United States’ 250th anniversary. An American elm was planted there, and commemorative challenge coins were purchased for county employees using grant funds rather than local tax revenue.
Chambers County Attorney Skip McCoy spoke on behalf of the Commission for the dedication.
“This tree holds a special place in American history. In the years leading up to the American Revolution, around 1775, colonists protesting British rule gathered frequently beneath a large elm tree in Boston. Loyalists cut down the tree in August 1775 in an attempt to silence the revolutionary movement.
The original Liberty Tree became a symbol of resistance and unity throughout the thirteen colonies. You know the rest of the story and what happened after that”, said McCoy.
In commemoration of that tree, the Chambers County Commission will place a plaque at this tree. The plaque will read:
In celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States of America, this tree was planted to honor the enduring ideals of liberty and democracy upon which our nation was founded. May it grow and stand as a symbol of freedom, unity, and the spirit of our great nation.
