Fannin County, Texas -- Fannin County Judge Newt Cunningham presided over a regular meeting of Fannin County Commissioners Court on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, with Pct. 2 Commissioner A.J. Self and Pct. 4 Commissioner Doug Kopf present; Pct. 1 Commissioner Troy Waggoner and Pct. 3 Commissioner Kurt Fogelberg were absent in order to attend classes.
The meeting opened with an invocation by Judge Cunningham and pledges were led by Air Force veteran Jenny Garner.
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Routine items
Commissioners court approved payment of bills totaling $150,656.33.
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Report of monies received by the District Clerk’s office for December 2024; $19,361.76.
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Report of monies received by the Justice of the Peace Precinct 1 office for December 2024; $15,643.40.
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Report of monies received by the Justice of the Peace Precinct 3 office for December 2024; $7,144.70.
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Fannin County Auditor Alicia Whipple presented the Auditor Monthly Reports for November and December.
Year-to-date revenue at the end of December was $3,260,970.53; year-to-date expenses were $3,567,243.36, which temporarily leaves the county in the red $306,272.83.
"That is standard for this time of year," Whipple explained.
That deficit should be erased by January 31, which is the deadline to pay ad valorem taxes.
Discussion items
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Commissioners court observed an order signed by 336th Judicial District Judge Christina Tillett appointing Alicia Whipple as county auditor for a term of two years beginning January 10, 2025.
This will be Whipple's fourth term.
"You're doing a good job," Judge Cunningham remarked.
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Commissioners court approved an Interlocal Agreement between Fannin County and City of Ladonia regarding regulation within the extraterritorial jurisdiction of the City of Ladonia.
Andy Garner, civil attorney for Fannin County, explained the requirements for these agreements the county has with several cities, including Ladonia, Trenton, Leonard and Bonham.
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Commissioners Court passed on an agenda item regarding Brazos Trailer 3- or 6-month contract renewals for all precincts and competitive pricing comparison.
Commissioner Fogelberg has indicated he would like to renew contracts for two trailers instead of three trailers.
The county has until January 23 to make a decision.
If the county renews contracts for six trailers, the cost would be $25,200 for six months.
The county judge asked the court to delay the vote on this agenda item until all commissioners are present.
"I would like to have everyone involved in the vote in case they have questions," Cunningham stated.
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Commissioners court passed on an agenda item regarding Precinct 2 purchasing a replacement Boom Mower in order to pursue other options.
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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 water issues affecting Fannin County, Cunningham noted that Fannin County Water Supply Agency will meet January 23.
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In regard to the county's 100-day-old contract with Allegiance Mobile Health to provide Emergency Medical Services in the county outside of the Bonham Fire District, Judge Cunningham said the arrangement "seems to be going in the right direction."
Last week, a request was made to Allegiance CEO Daniel Gillespie regarding the possibility of bringing in another ambulance in preparation for inclement weather because of concerns that an increased number of calls often accompany bad weather.
Mike Gilbert, Regional Vice President of Operations - North and West regions, made certain the fourth ambulance was available.
"We didn't get charged for the additional ambulance," Cunningham pointed out.
Bonham resident Rusty Deets asked about ambulance response time for people who live near the river and suggested housing an ambulance in the northern part of the county. Deets also noted that a different private ambulance service contracted by the county several years ago had abruptly terminated its agreement with Fannin County.
"What will happen when this ambulance service quits?" Deets asked.
"We will find out if it happens," Cunningham replied.
"Why don't we have warmer temperatures in this room right now?" Deets asked, referring to the cooler-than-usual temperature in the courtroom Tuesday morning.
Judge Cunningham told how Ruben Moreno, Fannin County's Facilities Management Coordinator, discovered an electrical switch on December 31, 2024, that was arcing. That dates happens to be the 95th anniversary of the fire that burned down the Fannin County Courthouse on December 31, 1929.
When electricity jumps a gap from one connection to another, electrical arcing occurs. Arcing can be a serious situation and it often results in a low hum, a popping sound, or even sparks.
Executive session(s) and action if needed
Commissioners court had no need for executive session.
Judge Cunningham expressed his appreciation for increased security during commissioners court and he also warned residents about the almost invisible danger of black ice that can occur on roads during freezing temperatures when moisture is present.
Commissioners court adjourned at 9:37 a.m.
