Editor's note: I would like to apologize for the incorrect link to commissioners court that was included in the agenda for Tuesday's meeting.
Fannin County, Texas -- If anyone still has hope of a civil and orderly meeting of Fannin County Commissioners Court, apparently they will have to wait until a different county judge is wielding the gavel. Even as inspectors were on the roof of the Justice Center Tuesday morning to determine if taxpayers will be out another million dollars for a proper roof on a building that was purchased "as is," Fannin County Judge Newt Cunningham made another attempt to deflect by complaining about the condition of the 1888 Fannin County Courthouse. All four commissioners confronted Cunningham over another attempt to point fingers at others while the budget of a Justice Center that was supposed to cost $11 million may now approach $20 million.
Since Cunningham has been in office, the county has had three purchasing agents and that position is currently unfilled. The county's highly-touted elections administrator, Cristian Perez Garcia, has been recruited to head up a nine-person elections department in Guadalupe County, although she is honoring her commitment to Fannin County voters by continuing to serve through the March 3 primary. However, turmoil at the county level and the lack of an elections administrator creates a difficult situation for cities and school districts holding elections May 2.
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All five members of Fannin County Commissioners Court were present for a regular meeting Tuesday, February 10, 2026.
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In public forum, Fannin County Auditor Alicia Whipple reminded residents that Mary Helen Dodson -- a historian, author, and great granddaughter of Wesley Clark Dodson, architect of the 1888 Fannin County Courthouse -- will be at the courthouse Wednesday, February 18 at 12:00 p.m. to present her just-published book, The Architecture of Wesley Clark Dodson: Legacy of a Good Name. Wesley Clark Dodson is considered one of the preeminent architects of Texas' Golden Age of Courthouse Construction in the late nineteenth century.
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Routine items
Commissioners court approved payment of bills totaling $1,180,965.16.
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Commissioners court approved minutes of previous meetings.
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Report of monies received by the office of Justice of the Peace Precinct 3 for January 2026; $8,180.07.
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Report of monies received by the office of Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 for January 2026; $11,211.80.
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Report of monies received by the office of Justice of the Peace Precinct 1 for January 2026; $33,151.70.
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Report of monies received by the office of County District Clerk for January 2026; $20,006.08.
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Matt Brown of Allegiance Mobile Health presented the Emergency Medical Services Report for January 2026.
The longest response time was 51 minutes and 54 seconds due to ice.
The average response time was 13:50.
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Commissioners court approved the Treasurer’s Financial Report for January 2026.
Receipts for January were $5,765,023.56.
Property tax receipts were $4,447,380.48.
Delinquent property tax receipts were $35,672.97.
Sales tax revenue received in January was $181,985.30.
Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) receipts were 3,038.92.
Discussion only items
Following a brief discussion regarding an internal audit of Criminal District Attorney, Cunningham announced that the court would go into an executive session at 9:22 a.m. to discuss personnel issues, likely as the result of a critical county employee deciding to work elsewhere.
Commissioners court reconvened in regular session at 11:10 a.m. to announce that no action was taken in executive session.
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Discussion and possible action items
Commissioners court voted to approve a bond reduction for Texas Land and Lakes for the Bois d’Arc Pointe subdivision, CR 2900 from $3,283,316.22 to $333,086.02, Precinct 4.
"Until the water lines go in, I don't think you need to let go of the bond," recommended John Keen, a member of Red River Groundwater Conservation District.
Justin Hemme, Vice-President of Business Development & Real Estate Acquisitions at Texas Land and Lake, noted that the bond is based on work completed inside the subdivision, while offsite work has already been prefunded to Bois d'Arc MUD.
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Commissioners court approved a one-time severance to divide 2.0 acres out of 27.373 acres ID# R000083182, 623 CR 3130 Bonham.
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Commissioners court approved a Preliminary Plat for Cypress Point; 74 lots on 90 acres on a private road in Honey Grove, Property ID#s R000081843, R000081847, R000081844, R000128422, R000128261, R000128425 and R000142695.
The development is north of Windom.
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Commissioners court approved a Preliminary Plat for The Highlands at Cypress Point; 54 lots on 80 acres on CR 2960 in Honey Grove, Property ID# R000128916.
The development is north of Windom.
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Commissioners court passed on an agenda item regarding the approval of a junkyard application on 1 acre of 11.63 acres of PID# R000082931, 255 County Road 1250, Savoy, Precinct 1.
A public hearing will likely be held to allow citizens to express opinions on this subject.
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Commissioners court passed on an agenda item regarding the replacement of Justice Center roof.
Inspectors are on the building Tuesday and early indications are they will suggest replacing the roof.
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Commissioners court passed on an agenda item regarding changes to the Fannin County Employee Manual; Exempt employees and the use of vacation and Paid Time Off (PTO).
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By a 4-1 vote, commissioners court passed on an agenda item regarding a proposal by Ron Greene with Wise Funeral Home. Greene continues 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.
All four commissioners appear to have run out of patience with Greene and voted to pass.
Cunningham cast the opposing vote.
"Probably because they hosted your event," quipped Pct. 2 Commissioner A.J. Self, referring to an election event for Cunningham that was hosted at Wise Funeral home.
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Commissioners court passed on an agenda item regarding a Roadside Park on the west side of Hwy. 78 at the Red River bridge and cancelling our contract with TxDOT.
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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 ordinances, Pct. 3 Commissioner Kurt Fogelberg stressed the need for enforcement of ordinances on the books.
"Without good enforcement, we don't have rules," remarked Fogelberg.
In reference to the proposed junkyard near Savoy, Bonham resident Rusty Deets suggested that the county initiate a program to notify landowners in close proximity to applications such as this one.
Jason Walker said that county records indicate delinquent taxes on the property where the proposed junkyard will be located and suggested the commission study NFPA 1 Chapter 22.
"We need to make sure the plan submitted meets NFPA standards," stated Walker.
"If it is Savoy's ETJ, is this a county issue?" asked John Keen.
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In regard to courthouse repairs and the Justice Center, Walker said the recent Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) report that Cunningham was waving in front of media cameras doesn't specify faulty wiring, but rather that a lockable cover on a box was missing.
"We're not talking about unsafe conditions...we are talking about a lockable box," Walker contended. "File a claim and get it taken care of."
Cunningham countered that language in the TDLR report goes beyond a lockable cover, and accused Walker of misrepresenting the facts.
When Cunningham launched into yet another diatribe about the courthouse and all four commissioners objected, the county judge urged people not to listen to the commissioners.
And while Cunningham's theatrics seem to be directed by a vindictive clique that instigated a half-dozen indictments that were dismissed as soon as someone outside of Fannin County looked at the charges, he continues to insinuate that Walker is the one being manipulated.
"Nobody's controlling me and pulling my strings," Walker told Cunningham.
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In regard to Fannin County roads, Cunningham accused Fogelberg of asking constables not to write tickets.
"Then I'll call you a liar," responded Fogelberg.
