Bonham -- Texas Historical Commission (THC) is offering to pay almost a third of the cost to restore the historic 1888 Fannin County Courthouse. On November 8, Fannin County voters will decide if they are willing to pay the other two-thirds of the project.
By a unanimous vote, Fannin County Commissioners Court has called for a $12.5 million bond election November 8.
That decision came at a special meeting of Fannin County Commissioners Court held Friday, August 19, 2016.
The total estimate to restore and then furnish the 128-year-old courthouse designed by Wesley Clark Dodson, the dean of the architects of historical Texas courthouses, is $17.5 million.
After studying the county's financial data, the consensus of commissioners court is that, now that the grant from THC has been secured, the 1888 Fannin County Courthouse can be restored without raising taxes.
On Friday, July 22, 2016, Fannin County was notified it had been awarded a construction grant of $5,040,000 from THC to help restore the historic courthouse.
Fannin County Judge Spanky Carter is convinced that the county can service the bond debt without increasing the tax rate, in large part because of ad valorem revenue trending higher in recent years.
"I will do everything in my power to keep the tax rate $0.59 or below," Judge Carter stated.
One of the primary objectives of Fannin County Commissioners Court has been to lower a county tax rate that had inched up to $0.6110 in 2010. Carter presided over budget workshops that whittled the rate down to $0.6081 in 2011, $0.605 in 2012, $0.595 in 2013 and the proposed tax rate for fiscal year 2016-2017 would see it lowered to $0.59. If that rate is finalized, it would be the lowest county tax rate since 2006.
In addition to adhering to a disciplined and conservative fiscal approach, Fannin County Commissioners Court has been fortunate to work with a steady increase in ad valorem revenue. In 2015, ad valorem revenue was up 4.97%. FY 2016 has seen a growth rate of 7.05%. All indicators point to another increase in the neighborhood of 7% in 2017.
"That's why I'm telling you we can do this without raising the tax rate," Carter explained.
Carter said he arrived at that decision after he plugged in conservative numbers based on annual growth of 2% - 2.5%.
The next order of business will be to schedule a series of town hall meetings to give voters accurate data so they can make an informed decision November 8.
"If voters are educated, I believe they will make the right decision," stated Fannin County Pct. 2 Commissioner Stan Barker. "They should have that option. Now, it's up to us to educate the people and tell them we can do this without raising taxes...if we mind our P's and Q's."
"We need this building restored," Fannin County Pct. 4 Commissioner Dean Lackey said. "If Bonham does good, Dodd City, Honey Grove, Leonard and Trenton will do well, too. It's important that all of us in Fannin County understand, this is not just about Bonham."
"I am for restoration of the courthouse," Jerry Magness, Fannin County Pct. 3 Commissioner told the packed courtroom, as he listed the litany of serious issues that currently plague the 128-year-old building. "If we get out there and inform people, I think they will approve it."
"I'm 100% for it," echoed Pct. 1 Commissioner Gary Whitlock.
Now that all five members of Fannin County Commissioners Court have expressed support for restoration of the Fannin County Courthouse, their role must change now that the election order has been signed. County officials and staff will be legally bound to simply present the facts at pending public meetings.
That bit of timely advice came courtesy of Mark M. McLiney, Senior Managing Director of Samco Capitol in San Antonio.
Mr. McLiney was in Bonham to serve as a consultant as the county begins this process.
"As a private citizen, you have the same rights as any other citizen, but as a county official you have responsibilities," Mr. McLiney advised.
The proposition that will be on the November 8 ballot follows:
Proposition
The issuance of $12,500,000 of General Obligation Bonds to acquire, design, purchase, renovate, construct, reconstruct, improve or equip the Fannin County Courthouse and the levying of a tax in payment thereof.
