Fannin County, Texas -- All five members of Fannin County Commissioners Court were present for the regular meeting Tuesday, November 25, 2025. The meeting opened with an invocation by Robert Eades, pastor of United Pentecostal Church in Savoy, who asked for a moment of silence in honor of Fannin County Dispatcher, Chris Moore. Moore passed away unexpectedly over the weekend. 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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In public forum, Jarrett Tucker spoke to the Fannin County Commissioner’s Court about concerns regarding the enforcement of the Bois d’Arc Lake Shoreline
Management Plan.
Tucker has been informed by several members of local law enforcement that NTMWD may allow the public to access and even stay overnight on NTMWD property that is directly adjacent to private property. Under the Bois d’Arc Lake Shoreline Management Plan and the Texas Parks and Wildlife PHL public activity is limited to the water’s surface. There is an exception for those that apply for and are granted permits for specific use.
Overnight use of shoreline property is not currently allowed. That language appears multiple times in the plan and is very specific. Public access to lands adjacent to the lake could significantly increase safety and liability concerns. In the past, adjacent landowners were treated as stakeholders because the decisions made directly affected their property value, their safety and their ability to enjoy their land. That is not the current situation.
For these reasons, Tucker asked the court to be aware of this situation and assist in any way possible to keep and enforce the existing policies in place. The end goal is consistent enforcement of the restrictions already written in the TPWD PHL regulations and the current Shoreline Management Plan.
Nancy White, president of Legislative Energy Action Foundation, warned about foreign manufacturers of components of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), asked for an immediate injunction and a restraining order to protect residents from what she described as an imminent threat.
"This is a very real threat in your county," White told the court.
Four Savoy residents also expressed concern about the BESS facility near Savoy.
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. Bills for November 18, 2025 were $595,737.67; bills for November 25, 2025 were $176,228.65; payroll for the week of November 18, 2025 was $487,660.15.
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Commissioners court approved minutes from a meeting held October 14, 2025.
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Matt Brown of Allegiance Mobile Health presented the Emergency Medical Services report for October 2025.
185 call, transported 145 patients, treated 32 on the scene with no transport, and five calls were cancelled en route.
Brown said the average response time was 11 minutes and 30 seconds, and the longest response time was 37 minutes.
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Commissioners court approved the Treasurers Financial report for October 2025, as well as the Treasurer’s Investment report for October 2025.
Fannin County Treasurer David Woodson reported that receipts for October 2025 totaled 1,192,009.78. Of that amount, current property tax receipts were $168,181,68. Delinquent taxes for October was 32,281.79. August sales tax revenue was 169,503.01.
Tex pool interest was $49,156.25.
Average interest rate was 4.2520.
Interest on the 2022 bond was $4,634.54
Interest on CD funds (land sales) was $19,645.37
Total interest for October was $73,905.84
Woodson also presented the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Investment Report.
TexPool interest the county has drawn from September 1, 2024 to September 30, 2025 was $659,944.56.
Business money market for that period was $1,981.76.
2022 bond interest was $148,447.49.
CD (land sales) interest was $37,883.42.
Total interest for that timeframe was $848,257.24.
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Fannin County Auditor Alicia Whipple presented the Auditor Monthly Reports for October 2025.
General Fund revenue was $653,303.62, expenses were $1,445,196.23, for a deficit of $791,892.61.
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Report of monies received by the District Clerk’s office for October 2025; $18,937.72.
Discussion only items
Cailee Rangel, Fannin County Crisis Center, presented the Fannin County Sexual Assault Response Team’s Biennial Report as required by House Bill 47, 89th Legislature.
Rangel noted that this overview must be submitted to commissioners court annually before December 1.
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Commissioners court discussed No Thru Truck Traffic on CR 1265. The signs were approved in September 2025.
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Commissioners court discussed the possibility of moving the Battleship Maine monument into the courthouse. Jay Minton and Malinda Allison expounded on the history of this local monument to the Spanish-American War.
In May 1898 more than 100 young men in the Fannin Guard shipped out of the local depot just as the war ended, but served as an occupying force in Cuba. One member of the Fannin Guard died of dysentery and one succumbed to malaria shortly after returning home.
In 1976, the memorial was moved to the courthouse lawn and it is now located on the northwest corner of the courthouse lawn.
Minton worked on the 240-pound memorial for approximately 40 hours when it was in storage while the courthouse was being restored and explained that this memorial will continue deteriorating due to acid rain if left outside.
Estimates to build a suitable case for the memorial range from $1,750 to $2,200. Minton told the court that he would need to move back to the storage area in order to do more detail work on this memorial.
Cunningham said the county will need permission from Texas Historical Commission (THC) before moving the memorial to the interior of the courthouse.
Pct. 3 Commissioner Kurt Fogelberg asked if the monument could be encased for protection and left outside.
Whipple suggested that if THC objects to moving the memorial inside the courthouse, another possibility would be to move the memorial to the museum.
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Discussion and possible action items
By a 4-1 vote, commissioners court approved a Resolution accepting the Fannin County Restored Historical Courthouse as completed and authorize the acceptance of $600,000 to be made from the Texas Historical Commission.
All four commissioners have expressed a willingness to draw down the final $600,000 payment from Texas Historical Commission (THC) to reimburse the county for the restoration of the Fannin County Courthouse.
Although though the courthouse has been occupied since April 2022, and Cunningham has worked in the restored building since January 1, 2023, he refuses to sign an acknowledgement that the courthouse is complete. However he took full advantage of another opportunity to grandstand.
"I will not sign, I will not vote in favor of, I will not participate in what I consider a crime," Cunningham declared. "Can't make it any stronger than that. Don't have to say anything more than that. I will not participate in a crime."
"I don't know if you needed to say that, Judge," Pct. 4 Commissioner Doug Kopf told Cunningham. "You could have just not signed it. Can you read the Resolution?"
Bonham resident Rusty Deets addressed the court, saying, "I was in a meeting -- it may have been the last meeting -- where commissioners voted to approve the courthouse as done. They all voted for it; you voted against it. You sat there and said you would not sign it. The person in charge, if you're not here, has a right to sign it. I would recommend they just go ahead and sign it. Because you answer to the people and you answer to the commissioners. You're not doing your job!"
"Take a look at my oath, sir," Cunningham responded. "I ask you to do that. That's all I have to say on that issue."
"I just can't believe that when the commissioners all vote for something, and you don't like the way it appears, so you won't do it. I think it is disgusting and for that reason I think you need to step down from your job," Deets remarked.
Pct. 2 Commissioner A.J. Self asked if Cunningham's signature is required.
Whipple explained that a Resolution is not typically done, but in this case, with Cunningham refusing to sign, a Resolution is necessary to access the final payment of $600,000.
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The Fannin County Burn Ban has been cancelled.
Fannin County resident Jason Walker said there was confusion on Monday about the burn ban due to information on the county website that conflicted with the court order for a burn ban, and asked for clarification.
"If we are going to have a website that people are supposed to go to and check whether we are in, or not in a burn ban, it needs to be kept current and accurate."
Commissioner Fogelberg asked who put it on the county website.
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Commissioners court passed on the creation of an Economic Development Committee Fannin County.
Telephone, Texas resident Gary Tucker reiterated that he is a proponent of forming an Economic Development Commission Fannin County.
Fogelberg said the Bois d'Arc Zoning Zoning Committee would be the best place to initiate this action.
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Commissioners court approved a specific use application on Highway 82 from A&R, Agriculture and Ranching District to R&C, Retail and Commercial District; 8 acres, Property ID# 83796.
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Commissioners court passed on an agenda item regarding the Fannin County Subdivision Regulations, Section 3.1, Exceptions to Platting Requirements; A Plat is not required if:
1) All of the daughter tracts are more than ten (10) acres in area; and
2) The owner does not lay out on the parent tract and streets, alleys, squares, parks or other parts of the tract intended to be dedicated to public use or for the use of purchaser or owners of lots fronting on or adjacent to the streets, alleys, squares, parks or other parts dedicated easement, but not a prescriptive easement.
John Keen, General Manager of Southwest Fannin Special Utility District, expressed a concern about developers not providing water service to all tracts.
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Commissioners court voted to approve a one-time severance of 3.093 acres from an 8.23-acre tract on Highway 34 in Wolfe City, Property ID# 71510, Precinct 3.
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Commissioners court voted to approve a one-time severance of 2.0 acres from an 8.0-acre tract on CR 2200 in Ivanhoe, Property ID# 118104, Precinct 3.
Eight acres of this 10-acre tract will remain in agriculture exemption.
One-time severances will terminate in two years and developers are taking advantage of this loophole.
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Commissioners court voted to approve a one-time severance of 2.0 acres from a 42.38-acre tract on CR 2101 in Ivanhoe, Property ID# 78623.
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Commissioners court voted to approve a 36-month CLEAR contract through Thompson Reuter’s for the sheriff’s office at $211.00 per month if this can be paid out of the sheriff's forfeiture fund this first year and the sheriff can budget for it next year.
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Commissioners court voted to approve a 36-month CLEAR contract through Thompson Reuter’s for the criminal district attorney’s office; $279.00 per month, resulting in a monthly saving of $160.
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By a 4-1 vote, commissioners court approved RFP 2025-005, Justice Center Furnishings, which in effect places the order for furnishings.
Fannin County Purchasing Agent Julie Criswell said she is awaiting pricing for benches and attorney tables for the courtroom.
Blue Box originally bid $536,475, but Criswell was able to shave off slightly more than $17,000 by purchasing items such as folding chairs from more affordable vendors.
Blue Box final bid is $519,234.53 to furnish the Justice Center, not including some basic items such as folding chairs and shelves that can be purchased with a 5% contingency of $25,962.00 and $10,000 to purchase miscellaneous items.
Cunningham said it is looking like March or April before move-in at the Justice Center, and the county may be forced to move out of rental locations beforehand.
Criswell pointed out that she didn't have access to her budget until September. Once ordered, most furnishings can be delivered and installed in 30 days, not including the custom benches for the courtroom.
Kopf cast the opposing vote because he believes furnishings should have been budgeted, as opposed to taking money out of reserves.
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Commissioners court voted to approve a hotspot for Constable Kevin Mayberry, Precinct 3; $27/month or $324/annually, by utilizing money from the constable's weapons budget.
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Commissioners court voted to approve a 60-month Axon contract for the DA’s office; Jan. 2026-$7,309.92, Jan. 2028-$3,654.96, Jan. 2029-$3,654.96 and January 2030 - $3,654.96. (60-month contract, 2 years paid Jan. 2026 with 2026 FY budget, the remaining years to be budgeted.)
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Commissioners court voted to approve a Tyler Technologies Agreement for additional Mobile CAD Licenses and GPS hardware for Constable Precinct 3; $2,586.00 for the first year, $601.00 annual maintenance cost. Constable Mayberry has money in his budget to cover this expenditure.
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Commissioners court voted to approve a Tyler Technologies Agreement for additional ORI (Originating Agency Identifier) for Constable Precinct 3; required to interface Tyler Technologies Mobile CAD in-car law enforcement software with Texas Law Enforcement Telecommunication System. There is no cost.
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Commissioners court passed on an agenda item regarding installing door at the District Clerk’s office separating the hallway from the lobby – County Judge (for District Clerk and Criminal District Attorney)
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Commissioners court voted to cancel the February 17, 2026 commissioners court and moving the court date to Tuesday, February 10, 2026 due to commissioners attending training.
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Commissioners court voted 4-1 to move Facilities Management Coordinator under the supervision of Commissioner Precinct 2.
Cunningham called it retaliatory and cast the opposing vote.
Commissioners expressed a need to be in touch with what is being taken care of and what is not being taken care of.
Fannin County resident Galen Bennett said that from a management standpoint, perhaps a weekly report from the Facilities Management Coordinator would improve this situation.
Bennett said, "Doug [Kopf], if you have a bathroom problem, say your toilet over there in your barn isn't working..."
"I DO have a bathroom problem," Kopf fired back. "I've had trouble with my lights. Ruben won't come down there. I have to go the judge and almost force him. I've got to where I'm done with him. I'm not asking him for help because I don't like to get on my knees and beg."
Kopf went on to say, "He was hired to maintain this building and he doesn't."
Kopf also asked why the Facilities Management Coordinator built an office in a rented building.
Another point of contention is that the Facilities Management Coordinator pulled down $6,500 in overtime last year.
When Cunningham hinted that this decision to move Facilities Management Coordinator under the supervision was made beforehand, Jason Walker reminded Cunningham that the judge is falling back on his false claim of walking quorums.
"What we have is a manager problem, someone that won't hold people accountable for not doing their job," Walker stated. "That forces the commissioners, and we all have to remember this is commissioners court, not the judge's court., to put Ruben in a position where he can be held accountable. For a while, we found Ruben during the day when he worked full-time for the county, working another job at Holiday Inn when he was supposed to be at work. It's been known for a long time that we can't get what taxpayers deserve out of Ruben."
"I think at some point we need to have a job description of what his job even pertains to," Fogelberg suggested.
"I requested a job description a while back," Self replied. "Didn't get one."
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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, Cunningham said there are rumors that officials are telling police officers and constables not to write tickets.
"We're allowed to speak of hearsay in court?" asked Fogelberg.
"Yes we are," replied Cunningham, "and I identified it as hearsay. It's out there."
"Let's put some names to some of it," Fogelberg countered.
"You can't continue to accuse these commissioners of violating laws and doing stuff," Jason Walker came forward to say. "If you've got the facts, haul them to court. I realize you are 0-10, but if you are to accuse these men of something, take them to court."
"Anyone else want to make comments?" Cunningham asked.
"Yes sir," Fogelberg answered. "Since I've been on the court, I feel like I've been bullied and I'm gonna tell you right now, I don't need you to tell me to be a lawyer for the county. We've got a county lawyer. We don't need your lawyering up here on the bench. Be a county judge. Be with us. Do what a county judge is supposed to do, not try to sue us."
When Cunningham brought up unitization, Fogelberg suggested that move is retaliatory against commissioners.
Andy Walker stepped up to address the court.
"I just wanted to tell all four of you, thank you very much for the job you are doing," Walker told commissioners, and he apologized for the bullying that has gone on.
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In regard to solar, wind, battery energy storage systems and the county fire marshal, Nancy White of Van Zandt County called it quid pro quo if the county moved forward with a BESS agreement without properly enforcing state codes.
"You are endangering citizens for monetary gain," White told the court. She also questioned having a county fire marshal without proper certification and asked where the site certification plan is?
"What is your county doing specifically based on state law?" White asked.
"We intend to comply with state law," Cunningham said, adding that he was encouraged by the attorney general finally stepping up.
