Fannin County, Texas -- All five members of Fannin County Commissioners Court were present for the regular meeting Tuesday, December 9, 2025. The meeting opened with an invocation by David Woodson, and pledges were led by Major James Manis (Ret.).
*****
A vocal ensemble comprised of local junior high school choirs, under the direction of Melody Cherry, presented a medley of Christmas carols.
*****
By a 4-1 vote, commissioners court approved using Northeast Texas Auction to conduct an auction for surplus furniture inventory in storage, with all four commissioners voting to approve the auction and Fannin County Judge Newt Cunningham casting the opposing vote.
Pct. 2 Commissioner A.J. Self said he doesn't want to continue leasing the former USDA building where the used furniture is stored any longer than necessary.
Fannin County Purchasing Agent Julie Criswell expects to issue a check for a 50% deposit on the new furniture for the Justice Center on December 9 and she expects delivery of the furniture by the end of January.
******
Commissioners court passed on an agenda item regarding RFP-2025 006 (Request for Proposal); Fannin County External Auditor due to it being a five-year contract.
*****
Commissioners court voted to approve a cell phone for Fannin County Civil Attorney Andy Garner; $36.27/monthly, 442.44/yearly.
*****
In public forum, Pct. 1 Commissioner Troy Waggoner expressed condolences to Ronny Rhudy's family.
Cunningham thanked residents who attended the workshop on Wednesday, December 3, 2025.
Fannin County resident Richard Glaser suggested a 2-month contest to determine the worst roads in Fannin County, with $1,000 going to the resident who submits the worst road.
Fannin County resident Sarah Richardson discussed the advantages of holding workshops in the evenings, but asked members of the court to quit being petty and consider the tone of their voices.
"Manners matter, all the way around," Richardson remarked.
Ron Green, owner of Wise Funeral Home, addressed the court 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.
Fannin County resident Jason Walker said he attended the workshop Wednesday night and said the Texas Open Meeting Act was violated when county business was discussed after a quorum was no longer present. All four commissioners walked out of the meeting when Cunningham talked for more than eight minutes and then refused to allow commissioners to speak, instead turning the microphone over to a supporter.
"A commissioner wanted to speak and got yelled at," Walker stated. "We didn't want to follow the rules."
Walker suggested that, as much as Cunningham complains about the courthouse, perhaps commissioners could find another place for him to office.
*****
Routine items
Commissioners court approved payment of bills totaling $2,109,965.17; payroll was $488,468.13 for 162 employees
*****
Commissioners court approved minutes of previous meetings.
*****
Report of monies received by the office of Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 for November 2025; $11,813.40.
*****
Report of monies received by the office of Justice of the Peace Precinct 3 for November 2025; $7,799.60.
*****
Report of monies received by the office of County Clerk for November 2025; All Courts $17,265.58 and Land Records $29,734.50.
*****
Discussion only items
Fannin County auditor Alicia Whipple discussed the results of an internal audit of the Criminal section of the office of District Clerk.
Whipple shared results with members of commissioners court and said recommendations were presented to Fannin County District Clerk April Gibbs.
*****
Commissioners court held a brief discussion regarding the Facilities Coordinator, who recently resigned after commissioners continued to complain that tasks weren't being completed as expected.
The employee's last day will be Friday, December 12, 2025.
*****
Discussion and possible action items
Commissioners court approved a lateral transfer of a sheriff’s deputy to deputy constable, Precinct 1 and continuation of current salary minus certificate and Senate Bill 22 pay.
Precinct 1 Constable David Thompson told the court that he would like to see the deputy constable retain his base pay, and Thompson said he has the money in his budget.
*****
Commissioners court approved enrolling Fannin County employees into Cybersecurity Training through the Texas Association of Counties per Texas Government Code §2054.5191 and appoint program Administrator; $5.00 per employee.
*****
Commissioners court approved a Plat Cancellation; Starfire Ranch on E. FM 1396 in Ivanhoe; Property ID #s 128863, 128864, 128865, 128866, 128867, 128868 and 128869.
Development Services Director Di Hopkins recommended the cancellation.
*****
Commissioners court passed on an agenda item regarding a waiver of the Fannin County Subdivision Regulations, Section 5.6.b Acceptance of Subdivision Improvements, Pavement Requirement located on FM 1743 and CR 2990 in Honey Grove; requesting gravel roads, Property ID #s 73593 and 82995.
Hopkins said the developer asked for an exception to paving requirements for five-acre lots.
Pct. 4 Commissioner Doug Kopf expressed concern about allowing gravel roads on five-acre lots.
"I want to help him, but I don't want substandard development," Kopf explained.
Hopkins said a developer's contract could require the developer to make improvements on access roads.
*****
Commissioners court voted to approve an Interlocal Agreement with Lamar County to share specific equipment during emergencies.
Ravenna resident Galen Bennett questioned why there were no limits in writing on manpower, equipment and breakdowns, as well as injuries and compensation.
*****
By a 4-1 vote, Commissioners court voted to add Precinct 4 Commissioner Doug Kopf to the Subdivision Committee to replace Cunningham.
All four commissioners voted to add Kopf to the committee, with Cunningham voting in opposition.
"I have no intention of stepping down," Cunningham stated and he expressed his intention to continue to attend meetings.
*****
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 Fannin County roads and the recent debate about unitization, Sarah Richardson told the court her research indicates that only 25% of the 254 counties in Texas have switched from the precinct system to unitization, and almost all counties with unitization have a much broader industrial base.
"Why are you, Judge, promoting so hard for the unitization system?" Richardson asked.
Cunningham said it would approve efficiency and accountability - the road engineer could be fired. It could also alter the way money for roads is appropriated.
Kopf said that he isn't against unitization, but the system works better in counties that are more developed and he railed against the inefficiency that seems to be built into everything county government does.
Kopf gave a shout-out to the two constables who maintained order during the contentious workshop Wednesday.
"I felt like your hate speech created a mob environment," Kopf told Cunningham. "I was called words on my way out that I've never been called in my life. I'm glad those two people were here because I think it would have turned into a brawl that was instigated by you, sir."
Where does Fannin County get $100,000 a year to pay a road engineer? Cunningham said one commissioner could be picked to oversee roads.
Self objected, saying voters have a right to select the individual who will oversee roads in their precinct.
Waggoner noted that Titus County (population 31,000) went to unitization for the required two years, and then immediately switched back to the precinct system.
Waggoner said that, out of the 254 counties in Texas, only four or five counties the approximate size of Fannin County currently have the unitization system.
Cunningham hinted that he might put hiring a county road engineer on a referendum.
"We'll see how the vote comes out," quipped Pct. 3 Commissioner Kurt Fogelberg.
"All of us are working together and sharing equipment," Kopf told Cunningham.
Fannin County resident Nita Bankston questioned Cunningham's perspective on the value of ag roads in rural counties and asked, "If we vote to go to unitization, what will the commissioners do?"
"We get to come up here and argue with the judge," Waggoner said with a laugh.
Bonham resident Rusty Deets objected to Cunningham implying that commissioners didn't deserve their recent 10% pay raise.
"They deserve even more to sit up here and listen to what I've listened to for three years," Deets said.
Deets complained that Cunningham tries to compare the commissioners' years of hands-on experience maintaining county roads with the Cunningham's experience sitting on trucking industry boards.
Fannin County resident Tammy Woods wrote in to ask, "Why was the Wednesday meeting not recorded? Where are the minutes?"
Cunningham said the recording is available.
Waggoner asked if the public has access?
Fannin County Clerk Jenny Garner instructed county residents to email (jgarner@fanninco.net) for notes of the recent workshop, or bring a flash drive to her office to get a recording
Executive session(s) and action if needed
Fannin County Commissioners Court had no need for executive session and adjourned at 11:27 a.m.
