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Judge Cunningham introduced Savoy Mayor Roger Cada in attendance.
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In public forum, 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.
Colonel Walter Goodwater (Ret.) suggested that the county study possible benefits from the consolidation of heavy-equipment maintenance before considering unitization.
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Routine items
Commissioners court approved payment of bills for December 30, 2025 totaling $149,572.14. Bills for January 6, 2026 were $94,279.31. Payroll for January 2, 2026 was $493,847.36 for 165 employees.
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Commissioners court approved minutes from a regular meeting held November 10, 2025.
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Paul Chandler, Fannin County Veterans Service Officer, presented the Fannin County Veteran Services Department 2025 End-of-Year Summary.
Chandler reported 1,506 professional contacts in 2025.
Chandler recalled a three-year-long legal dispute that resulted in successfully acquiring entitlement for a local veteran suffering an illness associated with ionizing radiation. That veteran received $119,829.42 in back pay and now receives $4,300 monthly.
In fiscal year 2024, veterans services for Fannin County vets added up to $32,364,435.71, a significant increase from fiscal year 2023.
Chandler noted that when he started this job nine years ago, almost all the veterans he served were from Fannin County. Due to rapidly changing demographics, less than half of the veterans he now represents are originally from Fannin County.
Approximately 9% of Fannin County residents are veterans.
Chandler called AI "a game-changer" and said it is helping veterans with research.
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Discussion only items
Edmund Haas, AICP, Vice-President/Transportation Planning Manager with Freese and Nichols, Inc., gave a comprehensive presentation regarding thoroughfare planning.
Haas said Freese and Nichols consulting firm has been involved in transportation planning for nine North Texas counties since 2017.
He called the growth in North Texas astronomical, requiring long-range regional planning for the fast-growing area.
Haas predicted that the county's two new lakes will be "gems" that drive development and he told the court how to get input from public meetings, municipalities in the county, and possibly a steering committee.
The county will need a thoroughfare study and then an impact study in order to begin requiring a proportional contribution from out-of-county developers. He estimated the cost of a 20-year study would range from $150,000 to $300,000.
The county will need a legal apportionment policy in place in order to avoid costly litigation.
Fannin County resident David Keene pointed out that Fannin County has an opportunity to secure TxDOT grants to help with public access for Red River.
"Fannin County Water Supply Agency needs a distribution plan for water from the Leonard Water Treatment Plant," added Pct. 4 Commissioner Doug Kopf. "If we included this in with the Thoroughfare Plan, wouldn't it be economical, because it's the same kind of numbers, the same type of population growth?"
"There are a lot of synergies you could use from thoroughfare planning and water planning," Haas replied.
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Discussion and possible action items
Fannin County Commissioners Court followed the recommendation of the majority of county's fire chiefs and extended the countywide burn ban for seven days.
Although commissioners court won't meet again for two weeks, the county judge has the authority to declare a new burn ban, if needed.
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Commissioners court approved the renewal of trailers for Precinct 1, VIN 4137; Precinct 2, VIN 4172; Precinct 3, VIN 4169 and VIN 4168; Precinct 4, VIN 4171 and VIN 4170; $700.00/each per month for 6 month.
The total cost is $25,200 and the money is budgeted.
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Commissioners court approved a one-time severance to divide 3.93 acres out of 9.99 acres Property ID# R000074720, 8428 S HWY 78, Leonard.
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Commissioners court passed on an agenda item requiring the creation of a policy to implement the use of and reimbursement of Health Cards for Commercial Driver’s License holders.
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By a unanimous vote, commissioners court nominated Fannin County Clerk, Jenny Garner to fill the vacancy on the Fannin County Central Appraisal District Board of Directors.
Other entities may have nominees, as well.
Fannin County resident Jason Walker voiced a concern that Cunningham incorrectly implied that the Appraisal District Board of Directors can influence the tax value of property.
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Commissioners court discussed names for the dedication plaque at the new Justice Center.
Pct. 3 Commissioner Kurt Fogelberg made a motion for the plaque to simply read that the building is dedicated to the citizens of Fannin County, with no individual names.
Pct. 1 Commissioner Troy Waggoner seconded the motion and it passed 5-0.
Workers will be pouring concrete for two weeks at the Justice Center, although the interior is substantually done.
Cunningham believes county employees will begin moving in to the Justice Center in the first week of March.
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, Rusty Deets complained about a junkyard west of Bonham on the north side of Hwy. 56.
Deets was advised to file a complaint with Fannin County Criminal District Attorney, John Skotnik.
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In regard to unitization -- the pooling of equipment and employees to work on Fannin County roads -- Goodwater suggested beginning with the initial step of consolidating heavy-equipment maintenance.
That would require the designation of a master heavy-equipment mechanic, an apprentice or journeyman light mechanic, a parts clerk with a vehicle, and possibly a mobile service truck. Eventually, a building would need to be constructed to house the centralized maintenance facility.
Goodwater's plan calls for the centralized maintenance department to be supervised by whichever two commissioners are on off-cycle election periods.
In other business, TxDOT says the county previously approved taking over FM 2990 and FM 1550. County staff will examine records.
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Executive session(s) and action if needed
Fannin County Commissioners Court had no need for executive session and adjourned at 11:12 a.m.
