Fannin County, Texas -- All five members of Fannin County Commissioners Court were present for a regular meeting held Tuesday, April 8, 2025.
The meeting opened with an invocation by Keri Lucas, pastor at McKenzie United Methodist Church in Honey Grove, and pledges were led by Major James Manis (Ret.).
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Fannin County Judge Newt Cunningham recognized Honey Grove Police Chief Leigh Dixon and Savoy Mayor Roger Cada in attendance.
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Commissioners court approved payment of bills totaling $109,932.24.
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With one minor correction, commissioners court approved minutes from regular meetings on April 16, 2024 and May 14, 2024.
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Report of monies received by County Clerk’s Office for March 2025; All courts combined $20,490.06, Land Records: $36,812.25.
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Report of monies received by District Clerk’s Office for March 2025; $19,494.55.
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Report of monies received by Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1 for March 2025; $15,170.50.
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Report of monies received by Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2 for March 2025; $11,252.00.
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Report of monies received by Justice of the Peace, Precinct 3 for March 2025; $7,948.00.
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Commissioners court approved Auditor Monthly Reports for February 2025.
Fannin County Auditor Alicia Whipple reported $375,300.20 in revenue and $964,427.13 in expenses, resulting in a monthly difference of -$589,126.93
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Discussion, consideration and action items:
Commissioners court approved a Proclamation stating that April 2025 is Sexual Assault Awareness Month in Fannin County.
The Fannin County Family Crisis Center serves victims of domestic violence and sexual assault and in April the organization brings awareness to sexual assault survivors.
Sexual violence is an issue that affects people of every age, gender, and background.
According to the Texas Association Against Sexual Assault:
70% of sexual assaults are committed by a perpetrator known or related to the victim
2 in 5 women in Texas have been sexually assaulted
1 in 5 men in Texas has been sexually assaulted
6.3 million Texans have experienced some form of sexual assault in their lifetime
Over 90% of sexual assault survivors do not report to law enforcement
"These numbers are staggering but behind every number is a real person, a survivor, a story," explained Amanda McDonald, Executive Director, Fannin County Family Crisis Center in a written statement. "We often associate sexual assault with strangers or far-away stories, but the truth is, this issue touches every community including ours here in Fannin County. That’s why the work of the Fannin County Family Crisis Center is so vital. Every day, we provide confidential advocacy, crisis intervention, safety planning, counseling referrals, and support to survivors of sexual assault and their loved ones. We believe that no one should walk this path alone, and we are committed to standing beside them every step of the way.
"We’re also proud to share that we are actively working to bring a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) program to Fannin County. This initiative will ensure that survivors have access to compassionate, trauma-informed medical care and forensic exams right here at home, without having to travel long distances during one of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. Bringing this program to our county is not just about services, it’s about dignity, healing, and justice.
"This month, as we proclaim April Sexual Assault Awareness Month in Fannin County, we honor survivors and commit to being a community that listens, believes, and supports. We also recognize that awareness is just the beginning. Together, we must continue to educate, advocate, and work toward a future free from sexual violence.
"On behalf of the Fannin County Family Crisis Center, thank you for your support and for standing with us in this important work."
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By a 3-1 vote, commissioners court approved paying Fite & Associates $974.00 for a survey of 5 acres on Silo Road and refunding BEDCO $5,820.00 for Environmental Survey performed on 5 acres at Silo Road, with money to come from the Justice Center fund. The county was in the process of selling these five acres to BEDCO when it was discovered the land was encumbered by a lien.
Pct. 2 Commissioner A.J. Self, Pct. 4 Commissioner Doug Kopf and Judge Cunningham voted in favor of the agenda item, Pct. 1 Commissioner Troy Waggoner abstained and Pct. 3 Commissioner Kurt Fogelberg cast the opposing vote.
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Commissioners court approved a Child Welfare Services agreement between Fannin County and the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services regarding maintaining the Fannin County Child Welfare Board.
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Commissioners court voted to approve a Special Exception application to reduce road frontage from 100’ to a minimum of 60’ for lot 6 of The Ranch of Bois d’Arc development off of Highway 82 in Dodd City, Property ID# 99317.
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Commissioners court voted to approve Change in Zoning application for approximately 10 acres; from A&R Agriculture and Ranching District to RE, Rural Estate Single Family District on CR 2955 in Dodd City, Property ID# 142695.
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Commissioners court approved moving $2,140.00 from Contingency to 100-591-4540, R&M Auto for Development Services, for the purchase of 4 new tires for the 2018 Ford F150 truck and insurance claim deductible overage.
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Commissioners court approved the purchase of four new tires for the Development Services Ford F150 truck; $900.00.
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Commissioners court voted to add additional phone/cellular lines for four county offices at a cost not to exceed $600.00, with the money coming from Contingency.
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Commissioners court passed on the next agenda item due to the fact that North Texas Auctioneers is already listed as an approved auctioneer for county auctions. Commissioners discussed the process to sell at auctions.
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Commissioners court approved leasing a recycler/reclaimer from Buy Board for Precinct 3 for $21,736.00 monthly.
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Commissioners court voted to update the Fannin County Law Library and assure public access to the public library.
The county's outdated paper law library was placed in storage during courthouse restoration; now the law library is only accessible from one computer terminal in the DA's office.
"Within a couple of weeks, if this is approved, we can have a website up," Judge Cunningham predicted before the vote, adding that the county law library will be accessible by cell phone and the cost will be negligible.
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Commissioners court held a lengthy discussion regarding additional work at the Justice Center.
Brad Isbell, president of Eikon Consulting Group, was available in court, and Mike Cohen, senior project manager at Crossland Construction, arrived shortly afterwards.
Judge Cunningham urged moving forward to minimize the accrual of extra costs.
A wall was omitted between court side and county side of the Justice Center and the building's roof apparently has serious issues.
Cohen said that the wall, estimated to cost $30,000, would be paid for out of Crossland Construction's contingency fund.
Commissioner Fogelberg asked about a door that would need to be placed in the wall and was told that will be an additional cost.
"We are looking at a roof that is in bad shape," Cunningham told Isbell and Cohen. "We were led to believe it was in good shape."
Minutes from a meeting verified that a representative of Eikon had assured the county that the roof was in good shape. Two independent inspectors have reported serious issues with the roof.
"We counted on your expertise," Cunningham told Isbell.
However, the county can't produce documentation of the condition of the roof when the county purchased the building.
Commissioner Waggoner pointed out that repairs were made with incompatible materials.
"The roof looks terrible," Judge said after examining it personally.
A new roof could cost $1 million.
Cohen suggested bringing in manufacturers' representatives to examine issues with the roof. He is hopeful the roof can be properly repaired with the correct materials.
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Commissioners court passed on an agenda item regarding a decision between grading and asphalt (approx. $215,000.00) or grading and concrete (approx. $576,100.00) for the Justice Center parking lot. The county will need a detailed civil design of the parking lot to get a more accurate cost estimate.
Cunningham said he is not in a rush mode; he would prefer to wait and see what money is available at that stage of the project.
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Commissioners court passed on an agenda item regarding the supplemental and modification section to the current purchasing manual.
Next week the court will likely vote on exceptions on items under $50,000.
Fannin County resident Jason Walker asked why timely communication between county employees continues to be an issue because every week commissioners court expresses frustration with Purchase Orders and vendors.
"It seems we have a lot of problems with purchasing," Walker surmised.
Walker also questioned the authority of Fannin County Fire Marshal Troy Hudson to enforce the fire code until Hudson receives additional training.
