Fannin County, Texas -- Fannin County Judge Newt Cunningham presided over a regular meeting of Fannin County Commissioners Court held Tuesday, April 1, 2025, with Pct. 1 Commissioner Troy Waggoner, Pct. 2 Commissioner A.J. Self and Pct. 3 Commissioner Kurt Waggoner present; Pct. 4 Commissioner Doug Kopf was absent.
The meeting opened with an invocation by Mark Sanderson, and pledges were led by Major James Manis (Ret.).
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Fannin County Judge Newt Cunningham introduced Savoy Mayor Roger Cada in attendance.
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Routine items
Commissioners court approved payment of bills totaling $1,340,973.51; payroll was $410,061.34.
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Commissioners court approved minutes from regular meetings on March 19, 2024 and March 4, 2025, as well as minutes from a special meetings held February 11, 2025.
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In a discussion regarding the recent internal audit of Probate and Civil Clerk offices, Fannin County Auditor Alicia Whipple remarked, "It went very well."
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Discussion, consideration and action items
Commissioners court approved a Proclamation declaring that April 2025 will be Child Abuse Awareness Month in Fannin County.
Stephanie Garcia, Director of Fannin County Children’s Center, advised the court about all the activities planned during Child Abuse Awareness Month.
"In 2024, Fannin County conducted 197 investigations into neglect or abuse, resulting in 33 confirmed cases and 12 removals," Garcia reported. "Additionally, 110 children received counseling services through Child Advocacy Center (CAC) at the Fannin County Children's Center where CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) also provided advocacy for 32 children. At the end of the year, 41 children were in the legal care of the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS), while 36 children were receiving Family Preservation (FBSS) services."
Go Blue Day will be April 4, 2025. Garcia urged the community to wear blue and tag the Fannin County Children's Center to bring awareness and support.
Blue Sunday National Day of Prayer is slated for April 27, 2025. Bring awareness at your local religious affiliation by discussing child abuse prevention and awareness, wearing blue and praying. www.bluesunday.org.
The public can purchase "No Excuse for Child Abuse" yard signs from Fannin County Children's Center to display to join the movement to prevent child abuse and neglect.
The public can also support the Center through the Open Your Heart Campaign.
Garcia said allegations of abuse or neglect should be reported to the Texas Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-252-5400.
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Commissioners court approved adding the county fire marshal salary and benefits totaling $5,256 for the remainder of 2024/2025 fiscal year. The court also approved transitioning the emergency management specialist from part-time position to full-time G3 position at a cost of $24,830.00 including benefits.
Fannin County Auditor Alicia Whipple advised the court that the total of $30,086.00 will be taken out of contingency.
"We have a fire code in place and have issues that need to be addressed immediately," Judge Cunningham stated. "This is serious stuff."
The county has the ability to adjust the code and will need experienced professionals to guide a board to oversee the development of a specific fire code to fit the needs of Fannin County.
Cunningham called lithium-battery facilities and school safety a priority, adding that no businesses will be grandfathered.
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Commissioners court approved the creation of temporary board to create a Fannin County Fire Code to present to Commissioners Court for approval.
The seven-person board will consist of Fannin County Fire Marshal Troy Hudson, City of Bonham Fire Marshall Scott Ridling, retired City of Denison Fire Marshal James Littrell, Judge Cunningham, Pct. 2 Commissioner A.J. Self, Grayson County Fire Marshal Steven Davis and Fannin County civil attorney Andy Garner.
The board should have a specific fire code in place to address local concerns in less than 30 days.
Cunningham expressed concern regarding a battery energy storage system (BESS) near Savoy that hasn't been inspected by the county and may be operational in a matter of weeks.
Jason Walker questioned the scope of inspections being considered by the county, asking about potential fees and how this could impact private residences, warehouses without sprinkler systems, rural schools and churches. Even if the intent is to only inspect commercial operations, he pointed out that all the AirBnB's popping up in the county are commercial businesses.
"It looks like we are getting ready to charge a lot of fees," Walker said.
Cunningham said that collecting fees is optional.
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Commissioners court approved renewing Dr. James Froelich, III as Fannin County Health Authority for a two-year period beginning April 1, 2025 through March 31, 2027, for $200 per month.
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By a 3-1 vote, commissioners court approved cancelling a contract with BEDCO for the purchase of 5 acres on Silo Road in Bonham and to renegotiate a payment to BEDCO.
The title on the five acres was encumbered by a lien as part of the collateral used to construct the county jail.
The county is out $975 for the survey. BEDCO had already paid $5,800 for an environmental study.
"I lean towards paying BEDCO," Cunningham stated.
Cunningham, Waggoner and Self voted in favor of the agenda item, with Fogelberg casting the opposing vote.
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Commissioners court approved renewal of the Affordable Care Act Reporting and Tracking Service (ARTS) program agreement and authorized the county judge sign on behalf of the county.
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Commissioners court approved moving $1,000.00 from Contingency to line 100-513-4500, Repair and Maintenance, Building for South Annex.
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Commissioners court approved replacing the hot water tank at the Tax-Assessor-Collector office; $1,921.73 with Dobbels Plumbing to come from 100-513-4500, R&M Building for South Annex.
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Commissioners court held a lengthy discussion regarding additional work that will be needed at the Justice Center.
Two independent inspections of the roof have revealed serious issues after Eikon Consulting Group reportedly advised county officials that the roof was in good shape.
Pct. 1 Commissioner Troy Waggoner said that experts predict the existing roof won't last longer than 2-3 years. Waggoner also reiterated his position that the architect omitted a wall in the Justice Center and should be held responsible for correcting the error.
The glaring lack of communication from Eikon and what was described as "a revolving door of employees" at the architectural firm has greatly frustrated county officials.
Fannin County Criminal District Attorney John Skotnik said he can't get Eikon to respond after repeated attempts.
"They're not doing their job," Skotkik told the court.
Fannin County Auditor Alicia Whipple said that, unless there are significant change orders, the county should have approximately $1.4 million remaining in the project budget, even if it installs a concrete parking lot and moves Juvenile Probation and the Tax Assessor-Collector Office into the Justice Center.
That doesn't include repairs to the roof or furniture, but Cunningham believes wholesale furniture, perhaps even used furniture, could be a cost-saving measure.
Bonham resident Rusty Deets voiced his displeasure at the idea of putting used furniture into a new Justice Center.
"If you can afford to build the Justice Center, county employees deserve new desks and new chairs," Deets opined.
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Commissioners court passed on an agenda item regarding what type of parking lot to install at the Justice Center. The county has been advised that grading and asphalt would cost approximately $215,000.00, as compared to approx. $576,100.00 for grading and concrete.
On top of that, the county will be out 8 1/2% or 9% of the parking lot's final cost for design work.
Fannin County resident Andy Walker asked why the parking lot was torn up in the first place.
"That parking lot was in better shape than the roads in my precinct," Walker told the court. "If we could have patched asphalt, why didn't we just patch it? We could have saved a lot of money if we had just patched it instead of tearing it up."
Commissioners court is aware of drainage problems in the parking lot, as well as behind the Justice Center.
Jason Walker questioned why a percentage of the asphalt millings from the parking lot was given away when the current sitting commissioners would have gladly taken millings back to their respective precinct barns for future use.
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Commissioners court passed on an agenda item regarding the supplemental and modification section to the current purchasing manual.
Commissioners expressed frustration with the county's purchasing process.
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 the Fannin County Subdivision Committee and Subdivision Policy, Cunningham said the committee will need to address questions about frontage on TxDOT roads.
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In regard to courthouse repairs and litigation, Cunningham said he is ready to issue a formal letter to the contractor responsible for the myriad of floor issues in the courthouse.
"Mitigation, its moving along," Cunningham added.
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In regard to the county budget and revenue sources, the county paid a substantial amount of money to a vendor who apparently failed to meet the terms of the agreement. The county will attempt to recover those funds.
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In regard to solar and wind farms, Pct. 3 Commissioner Kurt Fogelberg said six permits have been acquired to put in culverts for wind farms on the east side of the county.
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In regard to Emergency Medical Services, Jason Walker said that northern Fannin County is susceptible to longer response time and he urged commissioners to closely examine a spread sheet of response times. Walker said the response time in one case March 27 was 45 minutes.
"Let's make sure what we are really getting," Walker told the court.
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In regard to overweight trucks and highway safety, the sheriff's office was commended for enforcing the reduced speed limit of 70mph on Hwy 121.
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In regard to ordinances and enforcement, the county judge's office is putting together a comprehensive list of county ordinances that will go out to commissioners
Cunningham said that some counties have codified ordinances in order to make it easier to do research.
Executive session(s) and action if needed
Pursuant to Texas Government Code, Section 551.071, Commissioners Court entered into executive session at 12:09 a.m. to consult with their attorney, and to discuss personnel issues.
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Commissioners court reconvened at 12:27 p.m. to announce another office location for Fannin County Veterans Service Officer, Paul Chandler, due to conditions at his present location.
