Bonham, Texas -- Four times each year, Bonham City Council pauses to recognize an outstanding employee and Monday night, September 9, 2024, Stella Stewart was honored as the City of Bonham Employee of the Quarter. That information was revealed during a regular meeting of city council presided over by Bonham Mayor H.L. Compton with councilmembers John Burnett, Tim La Vergne, Allen Sanderson, Kevin Hayes, Ernie Quintana and Wayne Moore present.
Employee of the Quarter – July through September 2024
"The City of Bonham Employee of the Quarter for the third quarter of 2024 is Stella Stewart," announced Sarah Osborn, Director of Administrative Services for the City of Bonham. "Stella has been our camp host at Lake Bonham for many years. She keeps the facilities clean and tidy, picks up trash, cleans the restrooms several times a day, cleans the pavilion, and provides directions and help to our visiting campers. She often plants flowers – at her own expense – to keep the campgrounds beautiful. Stella is a huge help to the City of Bonham and we would like to recognize her and say THANK YOU!! These are just a few of the reasons that Stella Stewart is our City of Bonham Employee of the Quarter for the 3rd Quarter of 2024!"
During the year, each Employee of the Quarter receives four hours of paid time off and a $50 gift certificate. At the end of the year, the Employee of the Year receives eight hours of paid time off and a $250 gift certificate.
The City of Bonham initiated this employee recognition program three years ago to highlight the dedication of outstanding employees. Private, anonymous donors have underwritten the program since its inception.
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The regular meeting opened with an invocation by Mark Posey.
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City council approved minutes from a regular meeting held August 12, 2024 and a special meeting on August 20, 2024.
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City council approved the financial report for the month ending August 31, 2024.
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In the segment of the regular meeting reserved for citizens to speak, Tony Rodriguez asked for code enforcement at two locations.
Jeff Keller, a lawyer for Linebarger, asked councilmembers to table agenda item #10 and allow him to give a presentation on behalf of his firm.
Cheryl Simpson had questions about reservations and prices at Fannin County Multipurpose Complex now that the City of Bonham is in charge of operations.
Colton Phillips asked councilmembers to keep pay for Bonham Police officers competitive.
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City council presented a proclamation for the Bois D’Arc Festival September 20-21.
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City council held a public hearing and then approved an ordinance adopting the fiscal year 2024-2025 operating budget for the City of Bonham.
Sarah Osborn, Director of Administrative Services, noted that it is a balanced budget at a lower tax rate.
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City council held a public hearing and then approved an ordinance setting the 2024 tax rate of $0.55 per $100 of evaluated property for the tax year beginning January 1, 2024; last year, the ad valorem tax rate was $0.56.
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City council authorized staff to advertise for bids for the elevated and ground storage tank rehabilitation project.
The city has $1.5 million budgeted for this project.
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City council approved budget amendments for the fiscal year ending on September 30, 2024.
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City council approved a contingent fee contract with Perdue Brandon Fielder Collins and Mott, LLP for the collection of delinquent government receivables owed to City of Bonham.
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City council voted to adopt the revised City of Bonham personnel policy.
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City council voted to appoint Rusty Deets (P&Z), Justina Silwood (P&Z), Diane Moore, Sondra Compton and Darla Quintana to the Heritage Architectural Review Committee.
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City council approved a new Storage Unit Lease Agreement for Jones Field Airport.
These 12 storage units are located at the end of the hangars; two are used by the city and 10 are leased, or can be leased, by current hangar tenants.
The lessee will pay:
$35 monthly or $378.00 annually for storage units 3E, 3W, 4E and 4W;
$45 monthly of $486.00 annually for storage units 5E, 5W, 6E and 6W;
$50 monthly or $540.00 annually for storage units 7E, 7W, 8E and 8W.
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City council discussed rental rates and policies related to the Fannin County Multipurpose Complex.
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City council recessed into executive session to deliberate the purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property as permitted by Texas Government Code §551.072 concerning 36.702 acres of land, a part of the Mary Caldwell Survey Abstract Number 180, a part of the Joel Anderson Survey Abstract Number 12 and a part of the William McCarty Survey Abstract Number 706, lying and being situated on the north side of Lake Bonham in Fannin County, Texas.
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City council reconvened in regular session to announce no action was taken in executive session.
