Fannin County, Texas -- All five members of Fannin County Commissioners Court were present for a regular meeting held Tuesday, March 25, 2025.
The meeting opened with an invocation by Jase Waller, pastor of Telephone Baptist Church, and pledges were led by Major James Manis (Ret.).
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Fannin County Judge Newt Cunningham introduced the Savoy Mayor, Roger Cada, and Erik Simien in attendance.
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In public forum, Will Campbell urged commissioners court to act quickly to establish a 391 commission to help guide the county's future.
"Let's keep Fannin County in the driver's seat," Campbell stated.
Another speaker echoed Campbell's message to the court.
Tammy Woods submitted a chat message relaying State Representative Shelley Luther's opposition to battery energy storage systems (BESS), wind farms and solar farms, calling them bad for communities.
One resident complained about the condition of CR 635.
Savoy Mayor Roger Cada read a letter from Rep. Luther in regard to demanding accountability for battery energy storage companies.
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Routine items
Commissioners court approved payment of bills totaling $149,510.85
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Commissioners court approved minutes from regular meetings held January 30, 2025 and February 4, 2025.
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Commissioners court approved the Treasurer’s Financial Report for February 2025, as well as the Treasurer’s Investment Report for February 2025.
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Discussion, Consideration and action items
Commissioners court voted to accept a donation of to the Fannin County Sheriff’s Office of five AR15 rifles with scopes and slings from Rooftop Shooting Range valued at a total of $9,000.00.
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Commissioners court unanimously voted to approve the formation of a 391 commission jointly and concurrently with the City of Savoy to improve the health, safety and general welfare of Fannin County citizens.
A 391 commission allows local govts to jointly plan for the safety, welfare and health of citizens. Judge Cunningham noted that the county has residents with expertise to mitigate danger and called associated costs of forming such a commission "minimal."
Although it was in front of a different court at the time, Bonham resident Rusty Deets recalled warning a former commissioners court about the possible consequences of not only sanctioning the construction of a battery storage facility, but also giving it a tax break.
"What happens when they walk away?" Deets asked. "It's going to come back on you."
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Commissioners court accepted a $5,000.00 bond for the position of Fannin County Fire Marshal and discussed imminent financial changes for the position.
Next week the court will look at a possible increase in funding as the emergency management coordinator takes on the additional responsibility of county fire marshal.
One scenario calls for the emergency management coordinator's assistant to transition from a part-time position to a full-time employee with the added duty of flood plain administrator.
The county has slightly more than $235,000 in contingency, but there are six months remaining in the current budget cycle.
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Commissioners court approved releasing the following over-pledged securities with Legend Bank:
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Commissioners court passed on an agenda item regarding the cancellation of a contract with BEDCO for purchase of 5 acres on Silo Road in Bonham.
A close look at the deed revealed that the property is subject to multi-million dollar lien in connection with the Fannin County Detention Center.
However, the county is obliged to pay $974 for the survey, and may end up paying for a $5,820.00 environmental study done on the property by Bonham Economic Development Corporation (BEDCO).
Cunningham said that since the contract was with BEDCO, he leans toward at least a partial reimbursement.
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Commissioners court voted 4-1 to approve moving $400 from Contingency Fund: $240.00 to 100-456-3100, JP 2 Office Supplies and $160.00 to 100-456-3110, JP 2 Postage ($400.00 total).
The shortfall is the responsibility of the previous administration of the JP 2 office and incurred because of unforeseen expenses the current administration faces due to a lack of documentation regarding who had actually paid fines.
Pct. 1 Commissioner Troy Waggoner, Pct. 2 Commissioner A.J. Self, Pct. 4 Commissioner Doug Kopf and Fannin County Judge Newt Cunningham voted in favor of the motion, with Pct. 3 Commissioner Kurt Fogelberg casting the opposing vote.
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Commissioners court approved the final plat for Orduna Addition #2, Phase 2 on CR 4875 in Leonard, 24 lots on 36.19 acres; Property ID#s 127569 and 80338.
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Commissioners court approved the final plat for Bridgewater Subdivision on CR 2945 in Dodd City, 53 lots on 80.987 acres; Property ID# 75376.
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Commissioners court voted to cut down the remainder of an eight-foot tree stump on the southwest corner of the courthouse.
The county will look at the cost of grinding the stump out.
*****Commissioners court approved a Security Service Contract with North Texas Landmark Security for the 336th District Court.
Security for this district court cost $63,180 last year, but it was negotiated down to $49,500 this year.
The county can terminate this contract with seven days notice.
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Commissioners court passed on an agenda item regarding the grading and application of asphalt (approx. $215,000.00) or grading and concrete (approx. $576,100.00) for the Justice Center parking lot.
The court will need an exact measurement of the parking lot to proceed.
There has been discussion of the need at the Justice Center for an independent office for the bailiff.
Cunningham said that, as soon as finances allow, he wants to house the Tax Assessor-Collector Office and Juvenile Probation at the Justice Center.
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Commissioners court selected design specifications for the Fannin County Justice Center dedication plaque.
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Commissioners court passed on an agenda item regarding the approval of a supplemental and modification section to the current purchasing manual.
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Commissioners court passed on an agenda item regarding discretionary exemptions to purchasing under Local Government Code §262.024 for Fannin County purchases.
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Commissioners court approved the purchase of two 2018 Ace belly dump trailers for Precinct 1 for $48,000; includes new tires and delivery, trailers to be inspected prior to purchase.
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Commissioners court passed on an agenda item regarding a potential change order(s) at the Justice Center for additional Furr Out Wall at existing wall between the court and county sides per RFI-027, and additional doors for employee access from secure to non-secure side.
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Commissioners court approved the lease purchase of rubber tire excavator from RDO Equipment for Precinct 3.
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Commissioners court passed on an agenda item regarding the lease of a recycler/reclaimer from RB Everett & Company for Precinct 3.
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Commissioners court approved the purchase of a 1998 Ford single-axle water truck from the City of Bonham for $8,000.00 for Precinct 4.
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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.
The Fannin County Subdivision Committee will meet Thursday at 9:00 a.m.
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In regard to courthouse repairs, the county continues to get pushback from contractor that installed the flooring that needs to be fixed. The county judge said litigation is underway regarding different aspects of the courthouse restoration.
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The Fannin County Water Supply Agency will meet at the Derrell Hall Education Center on Thursday at 4:00 p.m.
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In regard to Fannin County road issues, one resident said one spot on County Road 635 is dangerous.
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In regard to solar farms, wind farms and battery energy storage systems (BESS), Cunningham said, "I saw a photo of Shelley Luther holding a sign that said 'Don't BESS With Texas.'"
"We need to not accommodate them," Cunningham said of the green energy projects that are eying Fannin County. "They don't bring jobs or significant tax revenue."
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In regard to Emergency Medical Services, there was one report of a 26-minute response time in one instance primarily due to the closest ambulance already performing a transport when the call came in.
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In regard to overweight trucks and highway safety, Commissioner Waggoner continued to compliment law enforcement.
"DPS, constables and the sheriff's office are all doing a very good job," Waggoner said.
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In regard to county ordinances and enforcement, Cunningham said a recent meeting focused on all 18 county ordinances and established priorities.
Molly Hayes of Tulip, Texas, repeated her concern that a camp in rural Fannin County is operating as a for-profit sexually oriented business.
Cunningham explained that the chain of command goes into action when a citizen files a complaint with Di Hopkins, Development Services Director for Fannin County. If warranted, that complaint will be forwarded to the DA's office.
Executive session(s) and action if needed:
Commissioners court had no need for executive session.
