Fannin County, Texas -- All five members of Fannin County Commissioners Court were present for a special meeting on Tuesday, March 3, 2026. The meeting opened with an invocation by Josh Lott, pastor of Ivanhoe Baptist Church, and pledges were led by Jenny Garner (Captain USAF).
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In public forum, Fannin County Auditor Alicia Whipple introduced the county's new purchasing agent, Lee Swafford, who brings 39 years of experience to the position.
Dale McQueen, speaking on behalf of the Democrat and Republican party chairs, advised the public that there will be a reception for former Fannin County Elections Administrator Cris Perez Garcia on Wednesday evening, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Don Toro restaurant in downtown Bonham.
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Routine items
Commissioners court approved payment of bills. Bills this week were $232,979.99; payroll was $482,569.37 for 163 employees.
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Commissioners court approved minutes from a meeting on February 24, 2026.
Discussion and possible action items
Commissioners court followed the recommendation of the Subdivision Committee and voted to approve 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
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Commissioners court passed on an agenda item regarding junkyard bonds.
The county does have legal authority to require bonds on junkyards to ensure clean-up. The amount of the bond could reflect the size of the junkyard or other variables.
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Commissioners court passed on an agenda item regarding retaining the name “Pete Patterson Fossil Park” of the fossil park located on FM 904 at the North Sulphur River in Ladonia.
Patterson was a former state representative who died in 2017, however the park has been known for years as Ladonia Fossil Park.
Doug Janeway, UTRWD, stated that since Upper Trinity owns the property, the UTRWD board would need to approve the name of the fossil park.
Justin Miller, mayor of Ladonia, advised the court that city residents prefer retaining the name Ladonia Fossil Park.
A spokesman for Ladonia Chamber of Commerce echoed Miller's sentiment.
Sarah Richardson suggested a compromise -- Ladonia's Pete Patterson Fossil Park.
Jan Cooper, former mayor of Ladonia, said the late Doug Franklin spearheaded a move to change the name from Pete Patterson Fossil Park to Ladonia Fossil Park and she asked the court to honor that decision.
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Commissioners court passed on an agenda item regarding Fannin County Burn Ban.
Last week's meeting created confusion and overloaded the phone system at county dispatch.
A countywide burn ban is currently in place.
Bonham resident Rusty Deets said that one hour after last week's meeting, he called dispatch to ask about a burn ban and no one had informed them whether or not a burn ban had been implemented.
"You put on a ban Thursday and conditions made Friday a perfect day to burn," Pct. 1 Commissioner Troy Waggoner told Cunningham.
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Commissioners court approved future Fannin County office locations upon completion of the Fannin County Justice Center.
Rain is forecast for this week, which will delay putting on the new roof at the Justice Center.
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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 the Justice Center and the courthouse, a new roof will need to be installed on the Justice Center. Pct. 1 Commissioner Troy Waggoner said the county will also have to address drainage issues on the north and west sides of the Justice Center.
Rusty Deets complained about the lack of maintenance at the courthouse.
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In regard to Fannin County roads, Clay Clemons of Dodd City wrote in on Zoom to ask for a weekly report of roads that are being worked on, and which roads are next on the list.
Commissioners said that the situation changes daily, but they could report on which roads were worked on the previous week.
In regard to solar, wind, battery energy storage systems, Virginia Beavers, FM 1752 Savoy, told the court that TCEQ indicates the BESS facility doesn't have a stormwater runoff plan, or waste management plan.
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Commissioners court adjourned at 10:19 a.m.
