Bonham, Texas -- Four times each year, the City of Bonham recognizes an outstanding employee and the most recent employee to be spotlighted for dedication to the job and service to the community is Amanda Wright.
"Employee of the Quarter for the 3rd Quarter of 2023 is Amanda Wright," announced Brad Nichols, City of Bonham Director of Human Relations. "Amanda is the Administrative Secretary for Public Utilities and has been with the City of Bonham since October 2003. Amanda is an intelligent and compassionate person who truly cares about other people and the quality of her work. Her willingness to be a team player was recently shown when she was asked to take on more responsibility and heavier workload to help streamline processes within the City of Bonham. She is definitely a 'go to' person when a solution is needed and all the while maintains a smile. Those are just a few reasons why Amanda Wright is the City of Bonham Employee of the 3rd Quarter 2023."
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. Individuals or businesses that would like to contribute should contact Brad Nichols, City of Bonham Director of Human Relations at (903) 583-7555 x 101 or by email.
The Employee of the Quarter announcement came during a regular meeting of Bonham City Council held Monday, September 11, 2023. Mayor H.L. Compton presided with councilmembers John Burnett, Timothy La Vergne, Michael Evans, Ernie Quintana and Wayne Moore present. Former councilmember Bill Chapman has relocated to Georgetown, Texas and submitted his letter of resignation.
The meeting opened with an invocation by Bill Harnett and Mike Bankston led the Pledge of Allegiance.
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Bonham City Council accepted the financial report for the month ending August 31.
Councilmember John Burnett asked for details about a $4,400 check to Neighbor's Place Winery and an $8,000 check to D Magazine and was informed those were BEDCO expenditures.
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In the segment of the meeting reserved for citizens to speak, Rusty Deets questioned why the color requirements for buildings and signs in the Heritage District were not being enforced.
Melissa Maxwell invited councilmembers to the unveiling of the signs for Jefferson Highway on September 22-23.
On behalf of American Post 283, Wolf Laughing invited all local first responders to Feeding Fannin's Front Lines, a BBQ feast from 11:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 17, 2023 at 1100 W. 5th Street in Bonham TX 75418.
Joe Goodson asked city council to consider the minimal cost of Zoom during budget discussions in order to allow more people to listen to the recordings at a convenient time.
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Bonham City Council approved minutes of a regular meeting on August 14 and also approved minutes from special meetings held August 21 and August 28.
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Bonham City Council voted to accept the resignation of Bill Chapman, the councilmember who represented Ward 4.
This seat will remain vacant until the municipal election in May 2024.
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Bonham City Council approved a Special Use Permit / Zone Change located at 109 S. Center St (PID 77180) from Multi-Family Low Density to Local Business.
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Bonham City Council denied a Special Use Permit / Zone Change for 605 Svoboda (PID 77299) from Single Family Residential to Duplex due to the small lot.
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Bonham City Council approved the revised City of Bonham personnel policy.
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Bonham City Council appointed Christina Tillet to the Texoma Community Center Board of Trustees.
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Bonham City Council adopted a street and facility naming policy for the City of Bonham developed by the three-person committee of Michael Evans, Rusty Deets and Kathy Self. Mr. Evens was singled out for his work spearheading the committee.
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Bonham City Council approved a resolution amending the fiscal year 2022-2023 budget.
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Bonham City Council approved an ordinance conveying property at 908 Benton St., PID 90991, for $9,000.
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Bonham City Council approved an ordinance adopting the fiscal year 2023- 2024 operating budget for the City of Bonham.
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Bonham City Council held a public hearing to consider and take action on an ordinance setting the 2023 Tax Rate on a first reading.
Bonham City Council voted 4-1 to accept the proposed property tax rate of $0.56 per $100 of evaluated property for the tax year beginning January 1, 2023.
Mayor Compton and councilmembers Michael Evans, Ernie Quintana and Wayne Moore voted in favor of the slight decrease from $0.56759 last fiscal year to $0.56 this year.
John Burnett cast the opposing vote; in the prior city council meeting, he had voiced support for a property tax rate of $0.55 per $100 of evaluated property.
"I think we would be better off giving property owners a break," opined Mr. Burnett.
Last year's ad valorem tax rate of $0.56759 reflected a nine-cent drop from the tax rate of $0.6550 in 2021.
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Bonham City Council approved an ordinance establishing Water and Wastewater rates for City of Bonham water customers. This marked the first increase in city water rates since 2019.
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Bonham City Council approved an ordinance amending Ordinance 1409 providing a permit, registration and re-inspection fee schedule.