County Judge Looking to a Busy 2025

ANAHUAC– Chambers County Judge Jimmy Sylvia says he’s looking forward to the new year after the county enjoyed a successful 2024.  

During a visit in his office, the judge talked about some of the many projects undertaken by the county in 2024. 

“We completed and also kicked off a LOT of projects,” he continued. 

“I’m especially proud of the fact that we did all this while continuing to reduce the tax rate for the last three years.” 

The Justice Center/Jail project was especially challenging – a can they had kicked down the road for many years before deciding on going with a P3 – private, public partnership. 

“It has been a real learning experience with a P3,” Judge Sylvia acknowledged with a few steps forward and a few steps back as the court navigated its way through the complicated process. 

Under the guidance of Assistant County Attorney Dwayne Simpson, the county got all the bugs worked out and the huge construction project is underway in what used to be downtown Anahuac. 

For the most part, the decades-old buildings had not been occupied for several years as the owners sold to the county one by one. 

A completed project that the judge is also proud of is Kilgore Parkway, connecting Texas 146 to FM 3180. As the county population continues to explode, roads in the southwest portion have become necessary – a road project underway is the Gordon Speer Parkway, which will connect Texas 146 to the Grand Parkway and eventually to FM 3180. 

In addition to the need for more roads, drainage projects have become more necessary with the increased development. Sylvia said many of the projects across the county that will get started in 2025 are grant-funded, saving the county thousands of dollars. 

Still, other projects include the completion of the two-story west annex building on Eagle Drive, which is nearly ready to move into, and the construction of a similar annex on Broadway in Winnie, replacing the old structure in which the annex has been housed for several years. 

Sylvia also pointed to the American Legion Hall at Fort Anahuac Park and the need to tear down the aging structure for a new, larger building. He added that the new facility will continue to house Freeman Spath Post #104, with a separate entrance planned for members to use when needed. 

In addition to several aging structures torn down for the Justice Center, the 30-year-old county library was also demolished. The library continues to serve in its small, temporary location at 608 Washington Ave. until a new facility is built on Mikhael Ricks Drive across from the Anahuac ISD Auditorium. 

Judge Sylvia said a schedule for demolishing the two houses on that property has not yet been set. He added that he hopes to have plans for the facility finalized soon. 

The judge also talked about the purchase of what is known as the Bradley house in Anahuac. The historic house was purchased for $280,000 as a temporary location for the District Attorney’s office but the county ended up buying portable offices for that department. 

The court has also tossed around the idea of using the historic home for the county Historical Commission, but nothing has been settled on that yet. 

Judge Sylvia said the population in 2020 was at 48,000 and he’s guessing it’s up to nearly 55,000 as development continues to move east from Houston and Baytown. 

“It’s nuts,” he exclaimed, adding that he feels the county departments and staff are prepared to meet the needs of all its residents – current and new. 

“We’ve added twenty more employees for 2025 with twelve of those in the Sheriff’s Department,” he said as the county continues to try and stay ahead of the influx of people who want to call Chambers County home. 

The judge is also proud of the fact that employees received $2,500 in cost-of-living adjustment as the county competes with surrounding counties in recruiting and keeping quality workers. 

Judge Sylvia has lots of optimism for 2025 and having a robust budget to spend is especially useful. He pointed to the county’s excellent AA rating with Standard & Poor, adding that the county’s debt is well below the average capacity, again reminding this reporter of the county’s ability to keep the tax rate lower for the last three years. 

“Industry is about 70% of our tax base and tax abatements given previously are now rolling off, adding more tax revenue,” he said. 

“I really feel that 2025 is going to be another great year for Chambers County,” the judge said with a wide smile.