Fannin County, Texas -- All five members of Fannin County Commissioners Court were present for a special meeting on Tuesday, February 24, 2026. The meeting opened with an invocation by David Woodson, and pledges were led by Major James Manis (Ret.).
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Fannin County Judge Newt Cunningham introduced Savoy Mayor Roger Cada in attendance.
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In public forum, Judge Cunningham urged residents to be informed voters.
Routine Items
Commissioners court approved payment of bills. Bills on February 17, 2026 were $81,022.22. Bills on February 24, 2026 were $1,644,807.34. Payroll on February 13, 2026 was $484,814.63 for 161 employees.
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Commissioners court approved minutes from previous meetings.
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Commissioners court approved the Treasurer's Investment Report for January 2026.
TexPool interest for January 2026 was $37,909.02 at an average interest rate of 3.798% during January.
Cash interest was $18,845.07.
Business money market funds interest was $181.06.
Liquid CD interest was $19,840.47.
Total interest for January was $76,776.42.
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Discussion only items
Commissioners court discussed the 2025 Racial Profiling Report per Texas Occupations Code 1701.
Fannin County Sheriff Cody Shook reported 1,948 traffic stops in 2025, a 100% increase over 2024, primarily on Hwy 121. There were no statistical indications of racial profiling and no complaints of racial profiling.
Constable David Thompson said Pct. 1 and Pct. 3 received no complaints for racial profiling.
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Commissioners court discussed the Final Summary of the Road Sign Project for Precinct 1.
Patti Wolf thanked commissioners court for helping to partner with TxDOT in this two-year project. Initially the plan was to replace 74 missing road signs in 93 miles of road that were surveyed. Volunteers drove the roads and Wolf compiled data to present to TxDOT officials in Paris, who agreed to fund the project for slightly more than $87,150. The county has to take down old signs and maintain new signs.
Wolf is willing to volunteer again if the county desires to repeat this process in other areas in the county.
Cunningham called this successful effort an example of what citizens' concern can accomplish
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Commissioners court discussed polling locations for the March 3, 2026 primary election.
Fannin County Clerk Jenny Garner noted that party chairs agreed on seven locations.
Roy Floyd Community Center - Pct. 1, Pct. 9, Pct. 17 and Pct. 18.
Savoy Baptist Church - Pct. 2 and Pct. 15
First Presbyterian Church - Pct. 4 and Pct. 6
Honey Grove Lyday Hall - Pct. 3, Pct. 16 and Pct. 19
First Baptist Church in Ivanhoe - Pct. 5 and Pct. 12
First Baptist Church in Trenton - Pct. 10 and Pct. 13
First Baptist Church in Leonard - Pct. 7 and Pct. 11
Information will be posted on the county's elections webpage.
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A discussion regarding the Secretary of State’s Texas Election Administration Management system (TEAM) and election issues was delayed for executive session.
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Garner reported that the county has successfully applied for a grant to enhance cybersecurity mitigation. The pending grant was filed for $487,382.00, and it would require a match of $208,878.00, for a total of 696,260.00 to update cybersecurity and computer systems in the county.
Garner expects to receive the results of the grant application this summer.
"If approved, the grant goes into effect September 1, 2026, which means the county's share of this grant would be funded out of the next budget cycle," Garner pointed out.
"We appreciate you and Dustin [Morrow] working on this," Pct. 1 Commissioner Troy Waggoner told Garner.
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Commissioners court discussed the abandonment of animals throughout the county. Due to the lack of a county facility, approximately 100 small animals were eventually placed with the help of volunteer groups.
The county has several cases pending against residents for abandoning animals.
At one time, a local donor had offered to build a facility if the county would operate and maintain the shelter.
Sheriff Shook noted that it would require a large facility, but said it could be built near the sheriff's office where detainees could assist with labor.
County staff will research applicable laws and county ordinances and report back to commissioners court.
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Discussion and possible action items
Commissioners court discussed the possible renewal of a countywide burn ban, but voted 4-1 to settle on a compromise that will allow burning on days when the state deems conditions are favorable. Contact county dispatch at 903-583-2143 for approval before outdoor burning.
The state’s rules and guidance are on the Fannin County website.
Residents were warned that fire danger is extremely high for the next three days.
Cunningham cast the opposing vote.
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Commissioners court approved Election Judges that were selected by county party chairs for the March 3, 2026 election.
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Commissioners court approved a junkyard license application on 1 acre of an 11.63-acre tract; Property ID# R000082931 on CR 1250 in Savoy.
All permits are in place and a fence will be erected now that the application has been approved.
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Commissioners court approved a one-time severance of 1.286 acres from a 2.572-acre tract; Property ID# R000079471 on CR 2505 north of Bonham.
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Commissioners court passed on an agenda item regarding changes to the Fannin County Subdivision Regulations; to remove “One-time Severance” that allows an exception to platting from the following Sections:
Section 2, Definitions – Appendix A, Form 6 – Appendix B, Fee Schedule
Expect this subject to be revisited during the March 3 regular meeting.
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Commissioners court approved a Resolution Supporting Legislation to Improve County Road Infrastructure and Safety.
This revenue-sharing concept could be used to dedicate additional funds to roads.
Commissioners court will forward this Resolution to state representatives.
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Commissioners court went into executive session at 10:34 a.m. to discuss the replacement of the roof at the Justice Center, and to discuss personnel issues.
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Commissioners court reconvened in regular open session at 11:40 a.m. to announce that the Justice Center will need a new roof at a cost of slightly more than $981,000.
An attempt was made to repair the 20-year-old roof, but it developed leaks during the recent ice storm.
The county will utilize $601,310.00 from Texas Historical Commission, $239,000 remaining in the furniture fund for the Justice Center, along with approximately $150,000 out of contingency.
The new roof will have a 20-year warranty.
The new roof increases the total cost of the Justice Center to $19,821,214.76, with additional expenditures expected for the parking lot.
Commissioners court also discussed the pending resignation of Fannin County Elections Administrator Cristian Pérez García which will be effective March 4; those duties will fall on the county clerk.
Commissioners court voted to abolish the county elections administrator position on March 4 at midnight and hire an elections supervisor to be hired by the county clerk.
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Commissioners court voted to extend the current security contract with North Texas Landmark Security at the current terms and conditions until 336th District Court moves to the Justice Center.
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Commissioners court voted to pass 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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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 solar, wind, battery energy storage systems, Savoy Mayor Roger Cada asked if commissioners are aware of 1,100 acres in Grayson and Fannin counties that a company has secured and is now applying for permits for data centers, which would require a massive amount of water. A deep well could impact shallow wells in the area.
There is also talk of two gas-powered power plants in the area.
Mayor Cada said that water is his main concern due to the lack of a hydrology report.
Counties with fewer than 50,000 residents are typically not allowed to zone, leaving them with limited options. Responsibility for oversight will fall on the state.
Commissioner Waggoner volunteered to go with Mayor Cada and visit with State Representative Shelley Luther and State Senator Brian Hughes to discuss this situation.
