Bonham, Texas – The Bonham City Council met on February 9, 2026 at 5:30 pm at city hall. All council members were present, except Ernie Quintana.
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Council approved the minutes of the January 12th regular meeting.
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Council accepted the financial report for the month ending January 31, 2026. Sarah Osburn said that sales taxes are trending a little ahead of budget and property taxes came in during January.
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Citizens Opportunity to Speak
Michael Evans spoke first and thanked the council for posting signs to ban firearms in city hall. He stated that council chambers were a place to have calm, serious deliberations in a respectful way without any guns.
Tony Rodriguez spoke next and stated that the constitution gives citizens the right to carry arms. He stated that he was able to open carry in the State Capitol and objected to not being able to carry in Bonham city hall.
Allen Sanderson spoke next. He noted that he was not sitting with the council today because he resigned to run for mayor. He said that growth is coming and the city must be ready to meet this demand. Sanderson hopes to keep our quality of life and help lead the efforts to handle the challenges and changes that are coming to Bonham.
Rusty Deets spoke in objection to one comment from Rodriguez.
County Judge Newt Cunningham said that he was attending the meeting to be available to answer questions regarding the election administrator that was appointed by the election committee. He expressed sympathy for the city and the challenges it will be facing in hosting the upcoming elections, since the election administrator said they will be unable to manage the upcoming city elections.
Cunningham stated the commissioners have no control over the election administrator but rather they just simply set the budget and this person reports to the Secretary of State.
HL Compton stated he has believed and supported the Second amendment all of his life. He stated he did not think the city was trodding on anyone’s rights by not allowing firearms in city hall.
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Council accepted the resignation of Allen Sanderson. Mayor Burnett expressed reluctance to accept the resignation, but understood that Sanderson needed to do this in order to be able to run for mayor.
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Council approved correcting Ordinance No. 1483 by replacing its exhibit. Case 2025-009.
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Council approved correcting Ordinance No. 1484 by replacing its exhibit. Case 2025-010.
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Council approved correcting Ordinance No. 1485 by replacing its exhibit. Case 2025-011
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Council approved an order calling for a general election to be held on May 2, 2026 to elect Council members from Ward Nos. 1 and 5.
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Council approved an order calling for a special election to be held on May 2, 2026 to elect a council member from Ward No 4 and mayor for an unexpired term.
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A public hearing was held and the council approved an ordinance ordering a Special Election on proposed Charter Amendments to the Home Rule City Charter of the City of Bonham to be held on May 2, 2026. City Manager Sean Pate reminded the council that the council appointed and heard a report from a charter review committee. He briefly reviewed all ten charter item that will be on the ballot.
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Council approved the following items related to the May 2, 2026 City of Bonham General and Special Election:
a) Appointed the City Secretary as the Early Voting Clerk.
b) Appointed Presiding Election Judge and Alternate, as well as Early Voting Ballot Board Presiding Judge and Alternate
c) Designated two days for extended hour early voting from 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
d) Designated the Bonham City Hall, 514 Chestnut St, as the polling place for both early voting and Election Day voting.
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Council discussed and provided city staff with guidance on items related to the May 2, 2026 election process. Pate discussed the recommendations from city staff for the city to purchase their own voting machines since the county will not be available to administer the municipal elections this year. Staff recommend purchasing the same equipment that the county uses in the hopes that this will make the transition smoother.
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Council held a public hearing and adopted an Ordinance Authorizing the Issuance and Sale of City of Bonham, Texas Public Property Finance Contractual Obligation, Series 2026 in the Principal Amount not to exceed $1,350,000 to Fund the Acquisition of Vehicles and Equipment; Levying an Annual Ad Valorem Tax for Payment of said Obligation; Providing an Effective Date; and Enacting other Provisions relating to the Subject.
Osburn reviewed the process of going out for bids to get the lowest possible interest rate and favorable loan terms, including the ability to pay off the loan early. Osburn also noted she worked with department heads to create the list of items to be purchased with this loan, including a motor grader, election equipment, plus several pieces of equipment that will be used by various departments including public works, utilities, fire department, and police department.
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Council approved budget amendments for the fiscal year ending on September 30, 2026.
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Council discussed and gave staff direction on field rental fees. Osburn and Pate discussed creating a field rental fee scheduled to help cover the costs of maintaining the ballfields. Osburn stated that this will help get money to cover operating expenses and to develop a system to hold folks responsible for the condition of the fields and amenities. Osburn said this was just an informational item and she will come back with official proposal at a future meeting.
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Council approved an Interlocal Agreement between the City of Bonham and the Texoma Community Center (TCC) to establish the terms and conditions under which the City and Center will collaborate for the provision of a Co Responder Program. Police Chief Hawkes explained that TCC got a grant to provide a mental health responder program.
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Council received 2025 Racial Profiling Report from the Bonham Police Department as required by Article 2.131 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. No action necessary.
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Council went into closed Executive Session at 6:18 pm.
Pursuant to chapter 551, Texas Government Code, the Council convened into closed executive session to discuss the following:
(A.) §551.071(1): Attorney client consultation to seek legal advice to discuss matters related to the May special election and hosting polling places for other governmental entities.
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Council reconvened in open public session at 6:29 pm.
Council took no action.
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Meeting adjourned at 6:29 p.m.
