Fannin County, Texas -- All five members of Fannin County Commissioners Court were present for a regular meeting Tuesday, September 30, 2025. The meeting opened with an invocation by Tiffany Mathenia, associate minister at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Bonham, and pledges were led by Major James Manis (Ret.).
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Fannin County Judge Newt Cunningham told the court that Davy Crockett Day in Honey Grove appeared to be a success and called the event "good for our county."
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In public forum, Jason Walker contested Judge Cunningham's previous statement that Dragonfly Ranch is 'fully permitted' and Walker insisted that the bridge built in 2024 in the flood plain on that property is not permitted.
Walker also told about a locked gate at the airport that delayed a life-saving careflight.
Galen Bennett complained about watching individuals "bait" the judge, and he singled out Jason Walker, his father [Andy Walker] and Rusty Deets.
Bennett said he is "sick and tired" of hearing people distract and grandstand week after week and he accused commissioners of allowing a lack of decorum.
"The people of Fannin County are sick and tired of hearing it," Bennett stated.
Jessica Neely wrote in on Zoom to say it is ridiculous that commissioners court continues to allow this.
Ron Green, owner of Wise Funeral Home, continued to complain that Cooper-Sorrells Funeral Home graded much higher than Wise Funeral Home by a committee that selected the county's Mortuary and Transportation Services contract.
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Routine items
Commissioners court approved payment of bills for $254,357.53, in addition to a bill packet dated October 1, 2025, for $151,646.13, making the total $406,003.66. Payroll last Friday was $449,469.28.
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Discussion and possible action items
Commissioners court approved a Proclamation stating the month of October 2025 to be Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Fannin County to encourage everyone to increase their awareness, and work to prevent family violence in communities across Texas.
Amanda McDonald, Executive Director of Fannin County Family Crisis Center, introduced her staff.
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Commissioners court passed on an agenda item regarding the approval of a payment for Purchase Order #3488 to Tyler Technologies for Computer Aided Dispatch and E-Citation Enforcement from Constable Pct.1 2025 FY Budget, $3,751.00.
Constable Pct.1 David Thompson said all issues have been resolved.
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Purchasing Agent Julie Criswell provided an update on vendors for RFP 2025-005, Justice Center Furnishings.
Criswell told about visiting city offices in McKinney and Irving to examine furnishings built by companies submitting bids. Criswell said the committee was pleased with the quality of the furniture, as well as under-budget quotes.
Criswell expects the committee's final decision regarding vendors and pricing to be made in mid-October.
Cunningham noted that the date for move in at the Justice Center has been pushed back to December 12.
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Commissioners court passed on an agenda item regarding RFQ for Engineering/Inspection Services for courthouse.
Walker addressed the court to ask why it continues to list redundant agenda items.
Cunningham said the county finally received a proposal of $70,000 to inspect the courthouse.
All five members of the court asked for time to study the proposal.
*****Commissioners court voted to pay $3,600 from Contingency to repair sewage issues at the county-owned East Annex property.
That leaves $92,700 in Contingency and the county's new fiscal year begins October 1, 2025.
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Commissioners voted to approve a corrected commissioners court date for November 2025. The original schedule called for the court to meet November 11, which is Veterans Day; instead, the court will meet Monday, November 10.
The court approved commissioners court dates for calendar year 2026.
Fannin County Auditor Alicia Whipple noted that some bills are due by the 10th of the month, while the court won't meet until October 14, 2025. Whipple suggested the court convene weekly for a quick meeting to pay bills.
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Commissioners court voted to approve a floor coating in holding cell area of Justice Center at no cost to the county. The construction manager at risk will pay for the floor coating out of its contingency.
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Executive session(s) and action if needed
Pursuant to Texas Government Code, Section 551.071, Fannin County Commissioners Court entered into executive session at 9:54 a.m. to consult with their attorney (BESS Lawsuit settlement discussion) (Purchasing Manual Revisions), and to discuss personnel issues.
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Commissioners court reconvened in regular session at 10:33 a.m. to announce it is approving updates to the purchasing process and the Purchasing Manual.
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Open discussion items
Open discussion items may be passed on unless discussion requested by a member of the court or a citizen.
In regard to county policies, ordinances, regulations and enforcement, Walker said there should be a difference between being allowed to criticize public officials and being allowed to verbally attack private citizens in commissioners court.
Walker repeated his request to examine the permit for the bridge he contends was built in a flood plain.
"Show us the permit, Judge," Walker stated.
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In regard to construction (courthouse repairs and Justice Center), Walker objected to Cunningham's earlier assertion that a large crowd attended every meeting when the courthouse will be discussed.
"You have no facts to base that on, sir," Walker said, motioning to the sparse crowd.
Walker opined that much of the division in the county is a result of several frivolous lawsuits filed by the county that were summarily dismissed and he reminded Cunningham that the county judge is 0-8 in cases involving restoration of the courthouse.
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In regard to Fannin County roads, Walker thanked Commissioner Waggoner for work being done throughout the precinct.
"There is something being improved every day," Walker told Waggoner. "We appreciate all your hard work."
"We need to plan and we need to consider options," Cunningham interjected. "We can't possibly take care of all the roads we have."
Pct. 1 Commissioner Troy Waggoner reflected on Richard Glaser's recent statement that his road, County Road 1452, hadn't been worked on in 15 years.
Waggoner said documents indicate that previous commissioners Dale McQueen and Edwina Lane had both worked on CR 1452.
"That's a false statement," Waggoner said of Glaser's accusation.
Waggoner pointed out that CR 1452 is a dead end with minimal traffic and more pressing situations in the precinct have priority, although CR 1452 is on the list to be worked on as soon as posible.
Cunningham has been pushing for county unitization which would create a need for a centralized equipment barn and a road engineer.
Fogelberg questioned the wisdom of paying a road engineer $250,000 to do a job that commissioners were elected to do.
"Its a slap in the face to act like commissioners can't fix roads," Fogelberg remarked, and he asked for action regarding a resident who continues to encroach on a public road in his precinct.
Cunningham repeated his belief that his past experience on highway advisory boards equates to or supersedes the experience of people actually doing the work.
Pct. 4 Commissioner Doug Kopf said the first priority should be to pull ditches and widen roads, which would cost millions.
"That's where the money needs to go," Kopf stated.
Rusty Deets said it appears that three commissioners are trying to tell the county judge that hiring a road engineer would be cost prohibitive.
"I think maybe you ought to listen to them," Deets advised Cunningham.
"There'll be a time when we need a road engineer," Kopf said, "but we're not there yet."
Waggoner informed the court that he will be attending a road engineer seminar in Waco.
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In regard to solar, wind, battery energy storage systems and the fire marshal, Walker expressed gratitude that the state fire marshal has offered to inspect the battery-energy storage company near Savoy.
Walker said that making one person the emergency management coordinator, floodplain administrator and county fire marshal may be a case of assigning too many responsibilities to a single individual. He reiterated his position that having an unlicensed fire marshal could be part of the issue with the current lawsuit.
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In regard to Emergency Medical Services, Walker said he observed an EKG machine that was hooked up incorrectly until a paramedic corrected the situation.
Walker asked if the county is getting two EMTs, or an EMT and a paramedic on an ambulance when Allegiance Mobile Health responds?
