Bonham, Texas -- Bonham City Council took a moment during a regular meeting Monday, July 14, 2025 to recognize two of the city's finest for exemplary action far above and beyond the call of duty.
Bonham Police Chief Andrew Hawkes presented a Merit Award to Bonham Police Officer Cody Trauer for a compassionate response to a veteran who showed up at Clyde Cosper Texas State Veterans Home following a domestic dispute. Officer Trauer explained that the veteran couldn't just check in at the veterans home and instead transported the man to a local hotel only to find out that the veteran's credit card failed. Trauer used his own money to check the veteran into the hotel and bought him snacks and a soft drink.
Chief Hawkes then presented a Life Saving Award to Bonham Police Department Captain, Melanie Elliott. A 70-year-old male was on the U.S. 82 bridge over Hwy. 121 North and threatening to jump into traffic and take his life. The man initially refused all efforts to console him until Captain Elliott arrived and engaged him in conversation. After a tense 40 minutes of negotiations, the situation was resolved peacefully.
"Thanks to her swift intervention, a tragedy was prevented," Hawkes said, as he presented the award to Elliott.
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All seven members of Bonham City Council were present for the regular meeting July 14, 2025. The meeting opened with an invocation by Mark Posey.
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City council approved minutes from a regular meeting on June 9, 2025, and a special meeting held June 16, 2025.
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City council approved the financial report for the month ending June 30, 2025.
Sarah Osburn, Director of Administrative Services, noted that sales tax revenue for June was up 10% over June 2024.
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In the segment of the regular meeting reserved for citizens to speak, Carol Buckingham-Norris recognized Bonham Fire Department for lifting Holy Trinity Episcopal Church's 250-pound cast-iron bell back into place after it was knocked to the ground during a recent tornado.
Fannin County Pct. 1 Commissioner Troy Waggoner relayed recent discussions with Texoma Council of Governments regarding the possible formation of a panel to function as emergency support in the event of a local crisis. Commissioner Waggoner suggested setting up a Memorandum of Understanding that would allow representatives of TCOG, the county and the city to utilize the Multipurpose Complex in emergency situations.
Rusty Deets thanked the city for extensive clean-up efforts in the wake of tornado damage throughout the city.
"They've done a terrific job," Deets said, and he also singled out Bonham Mayor H. Compton for installing distance markers along the walking path at Powder Creek Park.
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City council held a public hearing and approved an ordinance amending Chapter 3 (Building Regulations) within the Bonham Code of Ordinances for the purpose of adopting engineering fees designed to offset staff expenses.
The staff goal is to charge fees comparable to surrounding cities, while still ensuring that new development pays for the oversight of the construction of public infrastructure.
City staff studied fee structures in Sherman, Celina, Prosper and McKinney.
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City council held a public hearing to consider and voted to approve an ordinance amending the city’s Zoning Map and Zoning Ordinance by approving a Specific Use Permit for automobile repair, minor on .9 acres located on the west side of State Highway 121 and 535 feet north of W Russell Ave (Property ID 137217).
Brakes Plus will be located on the southeast corner of the Fix & Feed Addition. The base zoning of the Thoroughfare District necessitated the special use permit.
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City council voted to approve a Concept Plan, Fix & Feed Addition, Block A, Lot 10A. Property ID #137217.
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City council voted to approve a Resolution suspending the July 31, 2025, effective date of Oncor Electric Delivery Company’s Requested Rate Change to permit the Steering Committee of Cities time to study the request and establish reasonable rates.
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City council voted to approve a resolution approving (i) the Resolution of the Board of Directors of the Bonham Economic Development Corporation (“corporation”) authorizing the issuance of a promissory note to finance the costs of a project, and other matters incident and related thereto; (ii) a Sales Tax Remittance Agreement and Chapter 380 between the City and the Corporation; (iii) resolving other matters incident and related to the loan; and (iv) the authority of the Mayor to execute, on behalf of the City, a General Certificate of the City and the Sales Tax Remittance Agreement.
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City council voted to approve a Right of Entry, Release, and Hold Harmless Agreement between the City of Bonham, Bonham Economic Development Corporation and Northeast Texas Rural Rail Transportation Authority.
This ratified a BEDCO decision to allow crossties stacked south of the depot in Bonham to be repurposed in the Northeast Texas Rail Corridor.
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City council voted to approve a Non-Aviation Ground Lease Agreement between the City of Bonham and Vector Systems.
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City council voted to approve the Interlocal Agreement for E9-1-1 Public Safe Answering Point Services and authorize the mayor to sign necessary documents.
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Bonham City Council convened in executive session at 6:06 p.m. to discuss the deliberation, the purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property concerning 36.698 acres of land, a part of the Mary Caldwell Survey Abstract Number 180 and a part of the Joel Anderson Survey Abstract Number 12, lying and being situated on the north side of Lake Bonham in Fannin County, Texas.
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City council reconvened in open public session at 6:28 p.m. to announce that city staff would enter into negotiations regarding the exchange, lease or value of 36.698 acres on the north side of Lake Bonham in Fannin County.
