Fannin County, Texas -- All five members of Fannin County Commissioners Court were present for a regular meeting held Tuesday, November 26, 2024.
The meeting opened with an invocation by Mark Posey, pastor of First Congregational Church in Bonham, and pledges were led by Air Force veteran and Fannin County Clerk, Jenny Garner.
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Fannin County Judge Newt Cunningham introduced Pct. 1 Commissioner-elect, Troy Waggoner in attendance.
"Thank you, Mr. Waggoner, for being here," Judge Cunningham stated.
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Routine items
Commissioners court approved payment of bills totaling $425,317.19; payroll was $411,215.64
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Commissioners court approved minutes from regular meetings on March 19, 2024; April 2, 2024; August 13, 2024; and August 20, 2024.
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On behalf of North Texas Municipal Water District, Jennifer Montgomery presented Fannin County with a check for $329,400.
Discussion, consideration and action items
Commissioners court passed on an agenda item regarding discussion and possible action regarding a burn ban in Fannin County.
The court will revisit the need for a countywide burn ban at its next regular meeting.
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Commissioners court committed to developing a Bois d’Arc day of celebration in March. Visitors often stop by the Bonham Visitor Center in search of bois d'arc apples.
County resident David Keene has extended an invitation to the French Consulate in Houston, Texas, as well as to representatives of the Caddo Nation.
"I received a good response from the French, but little response from the Caddo Nation," explained David Keene.
Mr. Keene is offering $5,000 to the French Consulate to participate.
John Baecht, who addressed the court while wearing a yellow shirt dyed with bois d'arc, is willing to donate a pair of bois d'arc trees for the courthouse lawn.
Judge Cunningham said the City of Bonham -- a town that was originally named Bois d'Arc -- seems interested in helping develop a day to celebrate the role bois d'arc has played in the heritage of this region.
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Commissioners court passed on an agenda item regarding employee pay upon transferring from a more responsible job duty position to a lower responsibility job duty position within the Fannin County Employment Structure.
This subject will be discussed in executive session.
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Commissioners court approved an audit engagement letter with BrooksWatson & Company for the external audit services for Fannin County.
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Commissioners court discussed the cost for additional secure storage areas at the justice center.
Fannin County Clerk Jenny Garner noted that Fannin County was established in 1837 as one of 23 original counties in Texas and therefore has a significant amount of official records to maintain. Ms. Garner suggested getting a cost estimate for 1,900 square feet of climate controlled storage at the justice center in order to centralize records storage. Garner believes the county may have an opportunity to place historical records on display at the justice center.
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Commissioners court voted to initiate the steps to declare a 30 mph speed limit on County Road 4205 outside of Bonham.
Andy Garner, the county's civil attorney, pointed out that the county can lower the speed limit to 30mph by order of commissioners court after publishing notice and holding a public hearing.
"The main this is, how are you going to get it enforced?" asked Pct. 3 Commissioner Jerry Magness.
Judge Cunningham said he expects the full cooperation of incoming sheriff-elect Cody Shook and constables.
One resident who lives on County Road 4205 said that speeding and drug use on this road has gotten significantly worse during the past three years.
"Children at Play" signs have had no impact and the resident suggested using speed bumps to slow traffic.
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Open discussion items
Open discussion items will be passed on unless discussion requested by a member of the court or a citizen.
In regard to Emergency Medical Services, Judge Cunningham said that Bonham EMS reported153 transports in October and Allegiance had 137 transports.
Cunningham admitted that some issues had to be worked out, but noted that both EMS units are cooperating.
Executive session(s) and action if needed
Fannin County Commissioners Court went into executive session at 10:06 a.m. to discuss personnel issues.
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Commissioners court reconvened in regular session at 10:40 a.m.
Judge Cunningham said there have been requests for letters to be read into the record, and noted that the court has looked over the letters, but won't be pausing to read all the letters it receives.
Commissioners court took no action on agenda item #10: Discussion and action regarding employee pay upon transferring from a more responsible job duty position to a lower responsibility job duty position within the Fannin County Employment Structure.
