Fannin County, Texas -- All five members of Fannin County Commissioners Court were present for a regular meeting held Tuesday, November 5, 2024.
The meeting opened with an invocation by Mike Allred, pastor of Boyd Baptist Church, and pledges were led by Major James Manis (Ret.).
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Fannin County Judge Newt Cunningham introduced Pct. 1 Commissioner-elect, Troy Waggoner in attendance.
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In public forum, Major Manis informed the public that Bonham ISD will host a Veterans Day Observance on Monday, November 11, 2024, beginning at 9:30 a.m. at Warrior Stadium.
Fannin County Judge Newt Cunningham exercised his authority and lifted the countywide burn ban.
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Routine items
Fannin County Commissioners Court approved payment of bills totaling $821,504.77
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Discussion, consideration and action items
By a 3-2 vote, commissioners court accepted a cash offer to purchase five acres of county-owned property on FM 897 for $375,000. The purchaser has plans to eventually develop the acreage and would like to close on the property by the end of November.
The property was initially appraised at $85,000 per acre; the five-acre lot was on the market for 85 days and the only offer was for $75,000 per acre.
After all closing costs are considered, the county hopes to clear approximately $345,000 from the real estate deal.
The county's original asking price was $750,000.
Pct. 1 Commissioner Dale McQueen, Pct. 3 Commissioner Jerry Magness and Fannin County Judge Newy Cunningham voted in favor of accepting the offer, with Pct. 2 Commissioner A.J. Self and Pct. 4 Commissioner Doug Kopf casting the two opposing votes.
Judge Cunningham stressed the importance of having sufficient funding to complete the justice center project without borrowing more money.
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By a unanimous vote, commissioners court decided to market county-owned property on Silo Road and Chestnut Street in Bonham.
The county is asking $89,900 for a 1/2-acre lot on the corner of Third Street and Chestnut Street in Bonham.
The county is asking $30,000 per acre for five acres on Silo Road with road frontage.
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Commissioners court approved a Resolution certifying that (a) the County gave $3,750.00 to Tri-County Senior Nutrition Project, DBA Meals on Wheels Texoma, for fiscal year 2024/2025, (b) home-delivered meals are provided to the elderly and/or disabled through Tri-County and (c) Tri-County’s accounting system meets the financial management system requirements as set forth in the Texas Grant Management Standards.
Judge Cunningham described this as seed money because the county's contribution enables Meals on Wheels Texoma to access a much larger sum.
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Commissioners court appointed Pct. 4 Commissioner Doug Kopf to replace Director Lee Roy Cirkles on the Fannin County Water Supply Agency.
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Commissioners court rejected Bid #2024-011 for a used 2021 or newer Kenworth T880 Day Cab Truck for Precinct 1.
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Commissioners court approved going out for bid for a used 2018 or newer T880 Day Cab Truck for Precinct 1.
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Commissioners court approved the Subdivision Committee’s recommendation on a waiver of Section 3.5(e) and (f) of the Subdivision Regulations: to allow a 30-foot road frontage for one acre on State Highway 78 in Leonard attached to Property ID #141547 coming from 10.50 acres, Property ID# 140036.
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Commissioners court approved a preliminary plan for all 140 county employees, perhaps as well as other county residents, to participate in some way in decorating the interior of the courthouse for the holiday season.
A meeting of an ad hoc committee is planned for 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, November 12 in the second-floor courtroom of the Fannin County Courthouse.
Eventually, exterior lighting on the 1888 courthouse could be added and paid for with donations, Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) revenue or be worked into the county budget.
Troy Waggoner suggested studying how the City of Marshall has developed holiday lighting that has become a major draw to the city.
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Commissioners court passed on an agenda item regarding easement and access of property located at the North Fire Station in Bonham.
The county owns a piece of property behind the Derrell Hall Education Center and the North Fire Station.
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Commissioners court acknowledged that the county judge can sign the Title Sheet for TxDOT bridge replacement at Sanders Creek (CR 2825) and Sanders Creek Tributary (CR 2825) as approved in the 2021 Advance Funding Agreement and 2021 County Resolution.
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Open discussion items
Open discussion items will be passed on unless discussion requested by a member of the court or a citizen.
The November and December meetings of the Fannin County Subdivision Committee will be combined in a meeting set for December 12.
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Courthouse repairs and litigation continues.
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In regard to the county budget and revenue sources, the county has received $3,000 so far in Hotel Occupancy Tax revenue, all from Bonham State Park. Other entities are becoming aware of their responsibility to pay this tax and are signing up.
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The next meeting of the Fannin County Water Supply Agency is scheduled for November 14.
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In regard to Emergency Medical Services (EMS), county resident Jason Walker asked why a private company like Allegiance Mobile Health, the county's Emergency Health Services provider, isn't required to give the same monthly report in commissioners court that Bonham Fire Department was required to present. Mr. Walker opined that Bonham Fire Department was subject to far more oversight than a private company.
Judge Cunningham agreed that a monthly report would comply with his edict for transparency in county government.
Walker also expressed concern over 45-minute and 55-minute EMS response times in northern Fannin County.
Executive session(s) and action if needed
Fannin County Commissioners Court had no need for executive session.
