Fannin County, Texas -- All five members of Fannin County Commissioners Court were present for a regular meeting held Tuesday, December 17, 2024.
The meeting opened with an invocation by Nathan Peebles, children's pastor at First Congregational Church in Bonham, and pledges were led by Air Force veteran and Fannin County Clerk, Jenny Garner.
*****
Fannin County Judge Newt Cunningham introduced the Bonham High School Vocal Ensemble. Under the direction of Melody Cherry, the young vocalists entertained commissioners court with a medley of Christmas carols.
*****
In public forum, David Keen presented retiring Pct. 3 Commissioner Jerry Magness with a pen made from local bois d'arc wood.
*****
Routine items
Commissioners court approved payment of bills totaling $462,450.67.
*****
Commissioners court approved minutes from regular meetings held October 15, 2024 and December 10, 2024.
*****
Michael Gilbert of Allegiance EMS presented the monthly report for November 2024.
Gilbert reported 191 calls, five air medical transports, an 82% transport rate, and an average response time of 12 minutes and 58 seconds.
*****
Discussion items
Pct. 1 Commissioner Dale McQueen led a discussion regarding current tax abatement agreements with BT Block and BT Masroor battery storage facilities.
BT Block battery storage facility, now owned by Engie, is located near Savoy and the proposed site of the BT Masroor facility is in south Bonham.
Fannin County Commissioners Court signed tax abatement agreements and reinvestment agreements with the two battery storage facilities in 2021.
The county is expecting an annual payment of approximately $300,000 from each entity once they are online.
Since both facilities will operate under a Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) agreement, technically the payments won't count as tax revenue, which works in the county's favor.
Both plants were originally supposed to go into operation in 2025.
The Engie plant is almost completed and should go online in 2025.
BT Masroor won't start construction until 2027.
*****
Judge Cunningham led a discussion regarding walking quorums and workshops.
Members of commissioners court are not supposed to be deliberating issues unless in open court.
"We shouldn't be having meetings off to the side," stated Judge Cunningham, and he repeated his belief in transparency.
"What we say in here gets recorded," Cunningham added.
Andy Garner, the county's civil attorney noted that workshops must be approved in advance by commissioners court.
*****
Discussion, consideration and action items
Commissioners court voted to move Constable Precinct 1 into the Justice of the Peace Precinct 1 office.
*****
Commissioners court approved accepting donations from various companies as giveaways at the annual Fannin County employee awards banquet on December 23, 2024. County retirees are invited to attend.
7th & Main Baptist Church in Bonham will prepare the meal.
Commissioner Magness expressed appreciation to Amber Sutherland, Fannin County Tax Assessor, for spearheading the banquet plans.
*****
Commissioners court approved renting a belly dump trailer for six months for Precinct 1 at $500 per month.
*****
Commissioners court approved the Multipurpose Complex Gift Deed and Bill of Sale to the City of Bonham. The contract for the 119-acre tract near the Multipurpose Complex is expected to close this week. Fannin County is selling the property to Bonham Economic Development Corporation (BEDCO) for $1.6 million.
*****
Commissioners court passed on an agenda item regarding the need for additional secure storage areas at the Justice Center.
*****
Commissioners court passed on an agenda item regarding the possible creation of an elections administrator position in Fannin County.
It is noteworthy that Gaylen Bennett, Fannin County Elections Supervisor, resigned December 2, 2024.
Judge Cunningham said the court has expressed a desire to add an elections administrator position in order to take some of the load off of the county clerk, but Cunningham thanked Fannin County Clerk Jenny Garner for being willing and able to handle the combined duties of county clerk and elections administrator for the time being.
Garner said the workload is manageable as long as the county has a three-person elections team, but she suggested the county hire an experienced elections administrator if one is available.
Bennett asked the court to consider growth the county is expecting, as well as the sophistication of modern elections, while it ponders this decision.
The county will likely hire an elections supervisor who can grow into the role of elections administrator by October 2025.
Garner advised the court that it must draw up a resolution creating the position of elections administrator on a specific date.
The commissioners would like to readdress the options on December 31.
*****
Commissioners court reviewed and subsequently approved rebidding for culverts for all precincts.
The county received only one bid and it was significantly higher than the previous bid.
The court rejected the bid and initiated the rebid process.
*****
Commissioners court approved rebidding for fuel and oil for all precincts as no bids were received.
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 courthouse repairs and litigation, Judge Cunningham said he is trying to get all electrical repairs done by the end of the year.
*****
In a brief discussion regarding the justice center, Cunningham said the county is waiting on numbers regarding the expense of additional storage area.
*****
In regard to the county budget and revenue sources, Fannin County Auditor Alicia Whipple said there will be another two-hour class on Friday to help set up the countywide Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT).
Whipple noted that while the only payments so far have come from Bonham State Park, new entities coming online.
*****
The next meeting of the Fannin County Water Supply Agency is set for January 23, 2025, at 4:00 p.m.
*****
In regard to Fannin County road issues, Judge Cunningham said he has reached out to the state about the unsafe condition of FM 1396, but state officials have not responded.
*****
In regard to Emergency Medical Services, Cunningham reported another accident Tuesday morning on State Hwy. 121 with at least one fatality.
Executive session(s) and action if needed
Commissioners court had no need for executive session.
*****
There will not be a regular meeting of Fannin County Commissioners Court on December 24, 2024.
