Fannin County, Texas -- All five members of Fannin County Commissioners Court were present for a regular meeting Tuesday, September 19, 2023. The invocation was given by Darrel Hathcock, director of Missions at Fannin Baptist Association, and pledges were led by Fannin County Pct. 3 Commissioner Jerry Magness.
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In public forum, Sarah Richardson expressed appreciation for commissioners court using Zoom to allow easy access to the meetings, but she expressed concern over errors in the county road book.
"Within five miles of my house, that map has five glaring errors," Ms. Richardson told the court, adding that first responders depend on accurate data in life-and-death situations when every second counts.
Jason Walker told how, on September 11, Ravenna Volunteer Fire Department got paged out for illegal outdoor burn, but no sheriff's department personnel showed up.
"Y'all have got to get enforcement in place," Mr. Walker stated. "Why put us in a burn ban if you are not going to enforce it."
Walker suggested that if the county hands out four or five tickets, illegal outdoor burning will stop.
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Fannin County Commissioners Court approved payment of bills totaling $334,58.03.
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Fannin County Commissioners Court approved the Treasurer’s Financial report for August 2023, as well as the Treasurer’s Investment report for August 2023.
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Fannin County Commissioners Court approved Auditor monthly reports for August 2023.
Fannin County Auditor Alicia Whipple reported that monthly expenditures were $14,232,269.50 and revenue was $12,583,901.27, but year-to-date the county is in the black by more than $1.6 million.
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Ms. Whipple also told the court that an internal audit of the sheriff’s commissary had been completed. Whipple stated that the commissary is in compliance, but the audit revealed a need to improve delegation of duties.
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Fannin County Commissioners Court approved the first contract renewal term with Appriss Insights, LLC through August 31, 2024 with regards to the Statewide Automated Victim Notification Service (SAVNS) program.
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Fannin County Commissioners Court voted to give the Fannin County Museum of History $10,000 from the Capital Credits fund to be earmarked for custom display cases at the Fannin County Courthouse.
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Fannin County Commissioners Court voted to renew the lease for 200 E. 1st Street, Bonham for $3,600 per month, an increase of $300 per month, for October 1, 2023 through September 30, 2024.
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Fannin County Commissioners Court voted to go out for bids for culverts in all four precincts.
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Fannin County Commissioners Court voted to rent a D4 Dozer from Green Machine Rental for 3 days $1,996.00 for Precinct 4.
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Report of monies collected by the Fannin County District Clerk’s office for August 2023, $24,610.47.
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Fannin County Commissioners Court entered into executive session at 9:39 a.m. 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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Fannin County Commissioners Court reconvened in regular session to announce the discussion in executive session involved issues with the courthouse, particularly the need to correct a drainage issue in the basement before electrical repairs can be made in that part of the courthouse.
Fannin County Judge Newt Cunningham said water is pooling in the basement because the angle of the concrete carries the flow away from the drain.
Fannin County Commissioners Court voted to authorize Judge Cunningham to negotiate with the architect do the repairs or find an appropriate third party to do the work.
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CEC Facilities Group has offered to bring electrical work up to code and Fannin County Commissioners Court voted to approve a Memorandum of Understanding between Fannin County and CEC Facilities Group regarding repair of deficient work performed during the restoration of the Fannin County Courthouse project.
Jason Walker asked how many code violations this addressed and asked if professional consultants are advising the county during this process. Mr. Walker also cautioned the court about initiating repair work before insurance claims are resolved.