Commission approves contract extension, mental health funding
BY SAM VISE,
THE LAFAYETTE SUN
CHAMBERS COUNTY — The Chambers County Commission met on Monday, July 27, taking action on several key administrative and infrastructure measures.
The commission unanimously approved a two‑year extension of County Manager Regina Chambers’ contract. Chambers, whose current agreement was set to expire on Sept. 30, 2026, will now remain in her role through Sept. 30, 2028.
“I am delighted to state that County Manager Chambers has agreed to a two‑year extension,” County Attorney Skip McCoy said.
The commission also authorized a $100,000 payment to Integra Community Mental Health System to support specialized mental health services in the county.
McCoy reminded the board that in April 2025, the commission entered a contractwith Integra to use class‑action opioid settlement funds to address local mental health issues. Under the agreement, Integra was tasked with constructing a new facility to house Chambers County residents needing care.
With construction now complete, the county approved the release of the first payment under the agreement.
“The opioid class‑action funds allowed these dollars to be used for mental health treatment,” McCoy said.
County Engineer Josh Harvill outlined the upcoming road paving schedule.
Initial preparation has been completed for the reconstruction of County Road 158 (from County Road 155 to County Road 160) and County Road 54 (from County Road 62 to County Road 53). Paving began July 28 on County Road 158 and is expected to take two days, followed by warning signage indicating “loose rock.”
Harvill said while the road will remain open to local traffic, drivers should exercise caution and reduce speeds for the first couple of weeks.
Next week, crews will move to County Road 54, with work expected to run Tuesday through Wednesday, weather permitting. Crews then plan to move to County Road 62 for a month‑long reconstruction project.
“The road is not completely closed, so [residents] can get in and out of their houses in the afternoon and, for the most part, during the day,” Harvill said. “It’s touch and go because we are completely reconstructing the roadway, so there’s a big change undergoing.”
In Other Business
The commission issued a proclamation declaring Aug. 16, 2026, as Providence Baptist Church 190th Anniversary Celebration Day in Chambers County.
Commissioners approved the purchase of an AC‑3400‑14 sand spreader from Warren Truck & Trailer of Alabama, LLC, at a cost of $25,995.
The commission passed resolutions amending the 105 Fund, Seven‑Cent Gasoline Fund (Fund 111) and the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Grant Fund (Fund 240). The adjustments allow for a $23,600 transfer to cover local grant matching funds and account for a $6,000 reimbursement payment to Perry County for unspent match funds from an earlier phase of the program.
Announcements
A Rules, Ways and Means Meeting will be held Aug. 3 at 1:30 CT. Location TBA.
The next regularly scheduled Commission Meeting will be held in the small courtroom at 4 p.m. CT on Monday, Aug. 3.
