The meeting opened with an invocation by Michael Evans.
In a special presentation, Mayor Burnett became the latest person to receive a custom writing pen fashioned out of local bois d'arc wood, courtesy of local bois d'arc craftsman David Keene.
Burnett was sworn in as mayor on December 8, 2025, after former mayor H. Compton resigned in order to enter the race for Fannin County judge.
Burnett has served on city council for more than 18 years and was serving as mayor pro tem before taking the reins as mayor.
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City council approved minutes from a regular meeting on December 8, 2025 and a special meeting held December 29, 2025.
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City council voted to accept the financial report for the month ending December 31, 2025. Sarah Osborn, Director of Administrative Services for the City of Bonham, advised councilmembers that the most recent monthly sales tax revenue was 11% more than budgeted.
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In the segment of the regular meeting reserved for citizens to speak, Michael Evans, City of Bonham Municipal Judge, recalled a successful Holiday Warrant Amnesty Toy Drive that resulted in the collection of 126 toys. During the period of December 2, 2025, through December 15, 2025, any violator with outstanding City of Bonham citations that were in Warrant status, Capias Pro-Fine, and Warrant Failure to Appear was allowed to bring three (3) unopened/unwrapped toys (min. $15 value per toy).
Fannin County Judge Newt Cunningham and Galen Bennett addressed city council to discuss their controversial push for the county to hire a road engineer to oversee a centralized Road & Bridge department.
Stacey McGraw, Director of Bonham Public Library, summarized the library's activities in 2025. A premier small-town library, Bonham Public Library offers a wide array of programs for all ages.
Preston Blackmon, a local developer, suggested that the city designate one "go-to" staffer to answer questions and guide developers through all facets involved in development.
"It feels like there is a lot of passing the buck," remarked Blackmon.
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City council voted to designate Gene Wise as its nominee to the Fannin Central Appraisal District Board of Directors.
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City council held a public hearing and voted to approve an Ordinance to rezone two (2) tracts of land; Case 2025-014:
1. TRACT A: 3.0± acres FROM Single-Family Residential Dwelling District (R) TO Local Business District (LB). Property ID# 75909.
2. TRACT B: 19.7± acres FROM Single-Family Residential Dwelling District (R) and Manufactured Home Park District (MH-1) TO Multifamily Residential Dwelling District, Lower Density District (A-1). Property ID# 100768.
These two tracts are on the west side of Hwy. 121 North and south of 12th Street in Bonham.
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City council held a public hearing and voted to approve an Ordinance to amend Appendix 1 (Schedule of Uses), Appendix 2 (Definitions Associated with Schedule of Uses), and Article 11 (Special Uses) within Exhibit 14A (Zoning Ordinance) of the Code of Ordinances. Case 2025-015.
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City council tabled a public hearing and possible action on an Ordinance annexing 5.8± acres located on the north side of State Highway 56, 590± feet west of Spur 311. Property ID# 132527. Expect this agenda item to be revisited on March 9, 2026.
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City council tabled a public hearing and possible action on an Ordinance to establish a Planned Development District (PD) with General Business District (B) as the base zoning district on one lot on 5.8± acres located on the north side of State Highway 56, 590± feet west of Spur 311. Property ID# 132527. Case 2025-016. Expect this agenda item to be revisited on March 9, 2026.
