Fannin County, Texas -- All five members of Fannin County Commissioners Court were present for a regular meeting held Tuesday, May 16, 2023. The meeting opened with an invocation by Jase Waller, pastor of Telephone Baptist Church, and pledges were led by Major James Manis (Ret.).
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In public forum, Dustin Morrow, Fannin County Information Technology Director, offered assisted-listening devices to attendees.
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Bonham Fire Chief Scott Ridling presented the EMS monthly profit/loss report for April 2023.
Chief Ridling said his department received 18 fewer calls than its monthly average and experienced some fleet issues, but all ambulances are now in operation. Ridling told the court that his department continues to wait on two new ambulances, and he is working with North Texas Municipal Water District in anticipation of the opening of Bois d'Arc Lake.
The lake is approaching 80% capacity, with more rain predicted this week.
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Fannin County Commissioners Court approved minutes from a special meeting held May 2, 2023.
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The court discussed slight damage created by moving furniture in the 2nd floor courtroom.
Fannin County Court at Law Judge Charles Butler noted there are challenges presented by using an 1888 courthouse, but hoped the wear-and-tear damage would be minimal and felt that trying cases can be a great way to show the public how useful the courthouse is.
"If there is a problem, let me know and I will find a way to fix it," Judge Butler promised.
Fannin County is at least 24 months away from having a justice center; in the meantime, the large courthouse courtroom is being highly utilized to reduce the county's number of detainees.
The county is charged $56 a day to house detainees, which equates to the county's second biggest budget expenditure, behind the sheriff's office.
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Fannin County Commissioners Court approved payment of bills.
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Fannin County Commissioners Court approved the Treasurer’s Financial Report for April 2023, as well as the Treasurer's Investment Report for April 2023.
Fannin County Treasurer David Woodson reported that the interest rate yesterday was 5.019% and speculation is that interest rates will continue to increase.
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Fannin County Commissioners Court voted to place Open Arms Homeless Shelter as a selection for donation on the Fannin County Juror Request for Pay form; Government Code §61.003.
Mark Sanderson, Executive Director of Open Arms Homeless Shelter, thanked the court for its support.
"We value your service," Judge Cunningham told Mr. Sanderson and Tina Moore, a board member and treasurer for the shelter.
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Fannin County Commissioners Court approved the recommendation from the Bois d’Arc Lake Zoning Commission to approve a Special Use Permit application from 903 Broadband to install a 180’ Tower on FM 1396; Property ID#s 81951 and 70969.
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Fannin County Commissioners Court approved the recommendation from the Bois d’Arc Lake Zoning Commission to approve a Special Exception application from Bois d’Arc Shores in Dodd City to reduce setbacks from 80’ to 50’ and to reduce frontage on cul-de-sacs and curved roads from 100’ to 40’; Property ID#s 100348 and 81148.
Bois d’Arc Shores will be a gated community with private roads.
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Fannin County Commissioners Court discussed asphalting a portion of the employee parking spaces on the west side of the South Annex building where the rock has washed out.
"I'll send someone over there to take care of it," Pct. 3 Commissioner Jerry Magness volunteered. "I will handle it."
"I appreciate Commissioner Magness's generosity," Judge Cunningham remarked.
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Fannin County Commissioners Court voted to add self-monitoring security cameras at precinct one barn.
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Fannin County Commissioners Court voted to add self-monitoring security cameras at precinct two barn.
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Fannin County Commissioners Court voted to add self-monitoring security cameras at precinct three barn.
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Fannin County Commissioners Court voted to add self-monitoring security cameras at precinct four barn.
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Fannin County Commissioners Court voted to allow Kirby Smith to place a parts drop box in precinct four.
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Fannin County Commissioners Court approved the Auditor's Monthly Reports for March and April 2023.
Fannin County Auditor Alicia Whipple asked department heads to refrain from spending whenever possible out of concern for a possible budget shortfall.
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The court discussed the internal audit of the Tax Assessor-Collector department.
"They are doing a great job," Ms. Whipple noted.
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Documentary producer Emma Cleave and attorney Deric Walpole discussed the possibility of filming an A&E documentary at the Fannin County Courthouse.
"I don't want to invade the sanctity of the judge's courtroom any more than necessary," cautioned Judge Cunningham, although he added, "I don't think it hurts the county to have the courthouse publicized."
"I've been in courtrooms from the Panhandle to the Rio Grand Valley, and this is the finest courtroom I've ever been in," Mr. Walpole stated.
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Fannin County Commissioners Court chose to select the Salary Grievance Committee for fiscal year 2023/2024 from the grand jury list.
The county judge serves as a non-voting chair of the committee.
The names of Debbie Rattan, Diane Hopkins, Katherine Thern, Sarah Congleton, Catherine Hyde, LaTanya Hill, Jason Canup, Trent Griser and Ronald Kendrick, Jr.
were drawn from the grand jury list.
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The Office of Justice of the Peace Precinct 1 reported $10,333.80 collected in March 2023 and $20,905.00 collected in April 2023.
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The Office of Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 reported $2,387.00 collected in April 2023.
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The Office of Justice of the Peace Precinct 3 reported $4,416.00 collected in April 2023.
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The Office of Fannin County District Clerk reported $22,048.15 collected for April 2023.
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In a discussion regarding Fannin County Subdivision Policy, Judge Cunningham asked for a chance to visit with the engineer developing the policy in open court to enhance transparency.
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In a brief discussion regarding courthouse repairs, Judge Cunningham said he is concerned about several issues, particularly about water collecting in the basement.
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In a discussion regarding water issues affecting Fannin County, the county judge recommended re-establishing the Fannin Water Supply Agency.
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"Your commissioners are trying to take care of the roads, but they've got more than they can handle," Judge Cunningham stated, calling prioritization a "tough decision-making process."
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Fannin County Commissioners Court entered into executive session at 10:18 a.m. for (1) deliberation of personnel matters regarding the appointment, employment, evaluation, reassignment, duties, discipline, or dismissal of a public officer or employee; or (2) to hear a complaint or charge against an officer or employee.
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A subsequent executive session was held to (1) seek the advice of its attorney regarding: (A) pending or contemplated litigation; or (B) a settlement offer; or (2) on a matter in which the duty of the attorney to the governmental body under the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct of the State Bar of Texas clearly conflicts with this chapter.
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Regarding the Personnel Executive Session, Fannin County Commissioners Court voted to offer the job of maintenance to Rueben J. Marino, full time, 40 hours a week at $25 per hour.
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Regarding consultation with attorney, Fannin County Commissioners Court voted to move Mark DeMay [Director – Indigent Health] from the present location to space behind the District Clerk's office on East 1st Street.