Fannin County, Texas -- In the absence of Fannin County Judge Randy Moore, Fannin County Pct. 3 Commissioner Jerry Magness -- the senior commissioner -- presided over a regular meeting of Fannin County Commissioners Court on Tuesday, May 25, 2021. All four commissioners were present. The meeting opened with an invocation by David Woodson and the pledges were led by Major James Manis (Ret.).

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Beth Purcell, a representative of Texas Senator Bob Hall, was recognized.

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Fannin County Commissioners Court extended by one week the Fannin County Declaration of Disaster Proclamation for Covid-19 with the amendment of GA-36, as well as the Covid-19 Response and Continuity of Operations Plan for Fannin County.

As of Monday afternoon, May 24, 2021, Fannin County had been notified of a total of 3,495 cases of the novel coronavirus since the onset of the pandemic. Fatalities related to COVID-19 remain at 108. The county currently has an estimated five active cases.

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Fannin County Commissioners Court approved a proclamation declaring May 2021 as Mental Health Awareness Month in Fannin County.

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A brief discussion detailed the ongoing restoration of the 1888 Fannin County Courthouse. Work on the cupola and clock tower has been delayed until middle of July and rain has slowed the installation of shingles.

 

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Commissioners passed on an agenda item calling for a discussion with a cost estimator regarding the vision for the Fannin County Justice Center. 

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Commissioners voted to approve minutes from 05/19/2021 (S), 05/18/2021 (S), 05/18/2021 (R), 04/20/2021 (R) and 02/22/2021 (S), with amendments.

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Fannin County Commissioners Court amended the revenue budget for Fund 413 to accept CARES Act money in the amount of $751,476. 

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Commissioners voted to amend revenue budget for Fund 415 to accept American Recovery Program money in the amount of $3,449,089. 

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Fannin County Commissioners Court voted to place funds from the American Rescue Plan Act into INTRAFI - CDARS option to draw interest until guidance is received from the U.S. Treasury on appropriate use and approved by commissioners court.

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Commissioners observed an order signed by 336th Judicial District Judge Laurine Blake to set the salary of the County Auditor to $75,991.72 for budget year 2021-2022.

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Commissioners observed an order signed by 336th Judicial District Judge Laurine Blake to set the salary of the County Auditor’s Assistants to $59,332.17, $45,369.77 and $52,964.10 for budget year 2021-2022.

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Commissioners observed an order signed by 336th Judicial District Judge Laurine Blake to set the salary of the official court reporter to $97,462.66 for budget year 2021-2022.

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Fannin County Commissioners Court voted to add members to the Lake Ralph Hall Zoning Committee and to set staggered terms for each member.

The chairman, who must be a public official, will be Fannin County Pct. 3 Commissioner Jerry Magness (two-year term).

Ladonia Mayor Jan Cooper will also serve a two-year term.

John Ed Shinpaugh and Jaylen Wallace will serve four-year terms.

Walter Goodwater and Ricky Roberts will serve three-year terms.

Kyle Griffin will serve a two-year term.

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Fannin County Commissioners Court held a discussion regarding land separation at the Multipurpose Complex. The entire plat is 176 acres and businesses have inquired about the 140 acres not being used by the Multipurpose Complex. Due to a lack of signed documents regarding leases, a new survey will be needed to separate the Multipurpose Complex from the remainder of the county's land and proper paperwork signed by all parties involved.

John Burnett suggested using the fence on the east side of the Multipurpose Complex as the property line in order to allow future expansion of the Multipurpose Complex.

"I think it is something we can work out to benefit everybody," Commissioner Magness stated.

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Fannin County Commissioners Court voted to set the speed limit to 30 m.p.h. on County Road 1545 and County Road 1430 in Precinct 1.

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Commissioners selected the Salary Grievance Committee for fiscal year 2021/2022, which will consist of the county judge as non-voting chairman, the sheriff, county tax assessor-collector, county treasurer, county clerk, district clerk, criminal district attorney, and the number of public members necessary to provide nine voting members.

Public members selected were Mary Dodson, Jill Marchbanks, Brian Eaves (alternate) and Glen Dale Gentry (alternate)

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Fannin County Commissioners Court voted to set public hearing for June 15, 2021 at 8:50 a.m. to hear comments regarding the archive plans for the district clerk and county clerk for 2021-2022.

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Commissioners voted to approve an ATF (after the fact) purchase of an AC Unit for the jail at CR 4200 in the inmate section for $5,000.

Due to provisions of Jail Standards, the AC unit needed to be purchased before commissioners had time to go through the usual process of pre-approving the purchase.

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Commissioners voted to allow the sale of a 2017 Ford Explorer from the Sheriff’s Department which is no longer patrol worthy.

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Commissioners voted to award the bid for County Landscaping Services to A1 Texas Lawn Care after a county representative visited with management at A1 Texas Lawn Care to confirm the scope of work required could be accomplished.

The price, based on 26 mowings per year, is $9,230 annually, pro-rated, to be taken out of contingency.

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Commissioners tabled an agenda item regarding county-owned mowing equipment, consisting of three mowers and two weedeaters which are owned by all precincts.

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Commissioners approved payment of the bills.

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In the segment of the meeting reserved for comments by commissioners, Pct. 1 Commissioner Edwina Lane said it was a "good discussion" regarding the Multipurpose Complex and added that many roads are in bad condition after weeks of rain.

Pct 2 Commissioner A.J. Self echoed Commissioner Lane's remarks about the Multipurpose Complex discussion and the condition of roads.

Pct. 3 Commissioner Jerry Magness said he had contacted state representatives regarding unfunded mandates the state legislature is handing down, as well as bills which could prohibit the use of public funds by a political subdivision for lobbying activities.

Pct. 4 Commissioner Dean Lackey advised the public that the dam on Bois d'Arc Lake is not leaking. Some water is being released until archeological studies can be completed this summer.