Fannin County, Texas -- All five members of Fannin County Commissioners Court were present for a regular meeting Tuesday, January 20, 2026. The meeting opened with an invocation by Michael Evans, pastor of Windom United Methodist Church, and pledges were led by Air Force veteran, Jenny Garner.
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In public forum, Fannin County Clerk Jenny Garner advised the court and the public that a blown transformer would result in offices housed at the county clerk and district attorney's offices.
Pct. 4 Commissioner Doug Kopf questioned a somewhat suspicious and repetitive blurb being repeated on a small-town TV station in Sherman that is apparently attempting to imply that Fannin County commissioners are considering dismantling the precinct system in favor of unitization.
Kopf said the county needs to acquire additional right-of-way and pull ditches before hiring a road engineer would be a wise expenditure of tax dollars.
"Fannin County is not ready for unitization," Kopf stated. "We have a tremendous amount of work we need to do."
Pct. 3 Commissioner Kurt Fogelberg also complained about KTEN's repetitive blurb. Fogelberg said he called the station to discuss what he feels is a misleading news item.
It is noteworthy that this TV station is located in Grayson County, a county that studied unitization before deciding to continue using the precinct system.
Routine items
Commissioners court approved the payment of bills. On January 13, 2026, bills were $547,941.55; on January 20, 2026, bills were $118,075.21. Payroll was $480,224.81 for 163 employees.
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Commissioners court approved minutes from meetings held Aug. 3, 2024 and Dec. 9, 2025.
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Commissioners court approved the Treasurer’s Financial Report for December 2025, as well as the Treasurer’s Investment Report for December 2025.
Fannin County Treasurer David Woodson reported that receipts for December totaled $2,926,141.40; of that amount property tax revenue was $1,517,881.02 and delinquent property tax collected totaled $43,202.07. Sales tax revenue was $191,818.32.
Texpool interest for December 2025 was $39,757.35 at an average inter rate of 3.8270%.
Interest on the county's business money market account was $181.06.
Interest on cash at the bank was $16.855.66.
Total interest for December $56,794.01
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Matt Brown of Allegiance Mobile Health presented the Emergency Medical Services Report for December 2025.
Brown reported 189 runs, with an average response time of 12:13. Of the 189 calls, 162 were transported, 14 people were treated on the scene without transport, nine calls were cancelled while EMS was en route, and four were deceased prior to arrival.
The longest response time was 34 minutes. Most response times were between 11-14 minutes.
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Commissioners court approved a formal Order; Budget Amendments July 2025-September 2025.
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Commissioners court approved another formal Order; Budget Amendments October 2025-December 2025.
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The county auditor discussed the Internal Audit Report of the Fannin County Clerk’s office.
"Everything was compliant," stated Fannin County Auditor Alicia Whipple. "We made a recommendation on how the cash was being handled. We've also made a recommendation on opening the mail. Overall, the county clerk's office is doing a pretty good job."
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Whipple presented monthly reports for September 2025, (end of fiscal year closeout).
"The General Fund ended the year with $9,483,334.00," Whipple began. "However, with that money we have some restrictions which consist of $637,500 for the Hwy.121 project, $1 million was taken out of reserves and put in this current budget for Justice Center furnishings, and $1.3 million was taken out of reserves for the Justice Center parking lot and storage. The balance after restrictions is $4,634,209.00 which is 29% [of the annual county budget], so we are sitting right at the fund balance policy."
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Whipple also presented the Auditor Monthly Reports for December 2025.
"The year-to-date revenue through December 31 was $3,331,551.59," Whipple reported. 'Year-to-date expenses through December 31 was $4,696,262.27, for a deficit of $1,364,710.68. And that is pretty routine for the first quarter of every year."
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Report of monies received by the Fannin County Clerk’s Office for December 2025; All Courts, $12,970.96 and Land Records, $32,827.50.
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Report of monies received by the Fannin District Clerk’s office for December 2025; $16,948.05.
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Report of monies received by the Justice of the Peace Precinct 1 office for December 2025; $33,717.00.
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Report of monies collected by the Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 office for December 2025; $14,396.30.
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Report of monies received by the Justice of the Peace Precinct 3 office for December 2025; $5,926.00.
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Discussion items
Commissioners court discussed Red River access from Hwy. 78.
"It would be good for the county as a whole," Fannin County resident David Keene remarked.
Jason Walker wrote in on Zoom to tell the court that he estimates building a fully compliant ADA access site would cost a minimum of $500,000, in addition to complicated deed issues.
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Discussion and possible action items
Commissioners court approved a Proclamation recognizing the Fannin County Historical Commission for their efforts on restoring 100 Fannin County Historical Markers and reminding us of the importance of Fannin County’s history. Larry Stanley spearheads the effort to restore Texas Historical Markers located in Fannin County.
The Fannin County Historical Commission is also responsible for raising funds to restore Allie Tennant's statue of James Butler Bonham that graces the southeast corner of the courthouse grounds.
"We are all volunteers, we are all passionate, and we appreciate the support of commissioners court," Fannin County Historical Commission member Malinda Allison remarked.
David Keene furnished writing pens fashioned out of local bois d'arc wood for the members of Fannin County Historical Commission.
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Commissioners court approved a Memorandum of Agreement between Fannin County Sheriff’s Office and the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement office of the Department of Homeland Security authorizing the Sheriff to enroll in the State-mandated DHS ICE 287(g) program and to sign the Memorandum of Agreement.
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Commissioners court approved a Resolution authorizing the submission of a grant to Texoma Council of Governments through the Office of the Governor for a vehicle for Fannin County Constable Precinct 1.
Pct.1 Constable David Thompson explained that his office has one car for three employees. This Resolution from Fannin County Commissioners Court will authorize Thompson to apply for a zero-match grant of $85,000.
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Commissioners court followed the recommendation of the county's fire chiefs and voted to extend the ban on outdoor burning until January 27, 2026.
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Commissioners court approved the Justice Center courtroom bench and attorney table enhancements for District Judge and County Court at Law Judge, which includes an additional $31,744.52 for benches and counsel tables, in addition to the court-approved $555,196.26. The county pulled $1,000,000 out of reserves for furnishings in the Justice Center.
Any delay in ordering furnishings could delay the move-in date.
"From what I understand, the lead time on these benches is 15 weeks," noted Pct. 1 Commissioner Troy Waggoner.
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By a split vote, commissioners court approved going out for bid for the 2026-001 Gas and Oil Bid for All Precincts and Sheriff’s Office, with the option to lock down two additional 12-month terms.
Pct. 1 Commissioner Troy Waggoner, Pct. 2 Commissioner A.J. Self and Pct. 4 Commissioner Doug Kopf voted to approve the agenda item, Pct. 3 Commissioner Troy Fogelberg voted in opposition and Fannin County Judge Newt Cunningham abstained.
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Commissioners court passed on an agenda item regarding the application for the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program, FY 2027. This grant has a 30% match and paperwork will be required to be turned in by February 12, 2026.
Virginia Beaver of Savoy, Texas, urged the county not to skimp on cybersecurity.
County staff will study the needs of all departments and present their findings before commissioners court considers passing a resolution committing to the 30% match.
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Commissioners court followed the recommendation of Fannin County Treasurer David Woodson and Fannin County Auditor Whipple by approving a two-year extension for Fannin County’s Depository Contract with Legend Bank.
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Commissioners court approved a Resolution authorizing submission of the 2026-2027 Structured Family Therapy Grant through the Office of the Governor, Criminal Justice Department to fund the counseling program. There is no match required.
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Commissioners court voted to initiate setting up bylaws and members of an 11-member Fannin County Lake Economic Development Committee.
County residents Hannah Cupps and Gary Tucker explained that this committee's focus would be specific to the area around the two new lakes, but can be expanded to cover the entire county.
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Commissioners court voted to approve a one-time severance of 1.225 acres from a 3.101-acre tract; Property ID# R000078242 on 2940 County Road 1410 in Bonham, Precinct 1.
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By a 4-1 vote, commissioners court approved changes to the Fannin County Subdivision Regulations; Section 3.1 Exceptions to Platting Requirements, lot size increase from 5+ acres to 10+ acres.
Pct. 2 Commissioner A.J. Self cast the opposing vote.
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Commissioners court tabled an agenda item regarding changes to the Fannin Subdivision Regulations; Section 3.04, require a recorded easement dedication of 30’ ROW for any platted or unplatted division of land.
This doesn't include any property that isn't being subdivided.
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Commissioners court approved changes to the Fannin Subdivision Regulations; Section 5.1.g, Subdivision Design Standards, road width from curb to curb for concrete roads with curb and gutter, 40’ for square curbs and 30’ for rolled curbs.
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Commissioners court voted to move forward with a Thoroughfare Plan for Fannin County by initiating the Request For Qualifications process. Formulating the plan will require approximately two years and is estimated to cost $200,000. Once the formal Thoroughfare Plan is in place, it can allow the county to charge a comprehensive impact fee. Commissioners Self and Kopf have suggested integrating water planning into the study.
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Commissioners court approved changes to the Fannin County Road Naming Policy to allow only numerical road numbers.
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Commissioners court voted to accept donations of Christmas decorations.
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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, discussion centered on a junkyard on Hwy. 34. The matter has been turned over to the district attorney.
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In regard to the Justice Center, commissioners court is considering the use of river rock to fill islands in the parking lot.
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In regard to Fannin County roads, Judge Cunningham is encouraging a petition that could ensure a referendum on unitization. If the petition acquires enough valid signatures, voters will go to the polls in November to decide whether or not to hire a road engineer to oversee a centralized Road & Bridge department.
Cunningham and Richard Glaser are ardent supporters of unitization, while all four commissioners have expressed concern that small communities will suffer dearly under unitization, in addition to adding another hefty salary for a road engineer onto taxpayers' backs.
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In regard to solar, wind, battery energy storage systems and fire marshal – County Judge, Savoy Mayor Roger Cada told the court that he fears a data center is eying property near Savoy along US 82 and he asked commissioners to consider the impact of a data center's deep wells on shallow wells in the area.
Members of commissioners court will discuss this issue with Red River Groundwater Conservation District.
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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 9:47 a.m. to consult with their attorney, and to discuss personnel issues.
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Commissioners court reconvened in regular session at 11:10 a.m. to announce that employee manual updates will be on the next agenda, and that exempt employees are not required to fill out timesheets.
