Fannin County, Texas -- All five members of Fannin County Commissioners Court were present for a special meeting on Tuesday, March 31, 2026. The meeting opened with an invocation by Rickey Granstaff, pastor of Ravenna Baptist Church, 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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Nita Bankston was the first speaker in public forum.
"I want to address something that has begun to surface in recent meetings, and I believe it’s important, not for any one person, but for the integrity of this court as a whole," Bankston began. "According to the adopted Rules of Procedure, Conduct, and Decorum of this court, public participation is intended to allow citizens to express themselves on issues of county government.
"Those same rules also make it clear that this is not intended to be a forum for demeaning individuals or questioning the integrity of others without proper context.
"What we are starting to see, however, is public comment being used to reference or imply criticism of individuals who are currently candidates for office, without naming them, without full context, and without any opportunity for response.
"That creates a situation where allegations can be introduced, perceptions can be shaped, and no balance or clarification is provided.
"That is not transparency. That is one-sided narrative in a government setting.
"And respectfully, this court should not become a venue where campaign related commentary, direct or indirect, is allowed to take root under the appearance of public participation.
"There is a proper place for political debate. There is a proper place for campaign discussion. This is not that place."
Jason Walker questioned Judge Cunningham's assessment of the accreditation of Fannin County Fire Marshal Troy Hudson, suggesting that Hudson merely has attended a basic fire inspector class.
When Walker accused Cunningham of lying, Cunningham responded by saying, "At some point and time, I'm going to have you taken out of here under arrest."
Walker reminded Cunningham that 78% of voters in the county want to see a different county judge presiding.
"Please resign immediately," Walker told Cunningham.
Richard Glaser and Galen Bennett spoke about the condition of county roads.
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Routine items
Commissioners court approved payment of bills. Bills on March 24, 2026 were $170,709.22. Bills on March 31, 2026 were $196,711.40. Payroll on last Friday was $470,363.67.
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Commissioners court approved minutes from previous meetings.
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Commissioners court approved the Treasurer's Financial Report for February 2026, as well as the Treasurer's Investment Report for February 2026.
February receipts totaled $9,144,780.34.
Current property tax receipts were $6,847,944.29.
Delinquent tax payments were $64,686.03.
Sales tax receipts were $261,448.02.
The county received $1,047,986.63 from Fannin Appraisal District property taxes that goes to make the county's bond payments.
Total interest for February was $67,810.66.
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Commissioners court approved release of securities (listed below) from Legend Bank.
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The court recognized the order of appointment of Fannin County Purchasing Agent, Lee Swafford.
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In a discussion regarding a data center proposed for the Savoy area, James Cordell of Savoy expressed concern that the data center need five million gallons of water daily; 70% of the water will evaporate, and the 30% of the used water, now laden with contaminants, will be dumped back into the aquifer.
Cordell said the noise of cooling fans at the data center will affect students, residents and livestock. Data centers are highly automated and have few full-time employees.
Pct. 1 Commissioner Troy Waggoner read a statement by Wise County Judge J.D. Clark regarding the need to balance responsible development with local impact.
Counties have limited authority to restrict land use and rural counties in particular appear to be in the crosshairs of the companies financing data centers.
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Discussion and possible action items
Commissioners court approved a Proclamation declaring that April 2026 will be recognized as Sexual Assault Awareness Month in Fannin County.
Tere Curtis of Fannin County Crisis Center told about the organization's activities in the county.
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Commissioners court approved a corrected Resolution for the Fannin County Sheriff's Intelligence-Based Investigations Grant Project.
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Commissioners court voted to hang a reproduction of the 1946 Fannin County map, 4’x3’ with a custom Bois d’Arc wood frame in the second-floor hallway of the Fannin County Courthouse.
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Ivanhoe, Texas resident Sarah Richardson led a discussion regarding the need for the county's assistance in order for the Lake Fannin Volunteers to meet all the stipulations of the lease from the Forest Service.
Fannin County resident Jarrett Tucker said it is unfortunate that a historical campsite and scenic 2,000 acres overlooking the Red River are going to waste.
Fannin County resident David Keene stressed the need for representatives of the Army Corps of Engineers, Forest Service, North Texas Municipal Water District and Fannin County to sit down together and make sure everyone is on the same page.
Cunningham suggested the immediate action is to revitalize the Lake Fannin Board of Directors and examine the bylaws.
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By a 4-1 vote, with Cunningham casting the opposing vote, commissioners court approved a Resolution regarding financing $62,000 with Government Capital Corporation for a Precinct 1 truck.
Cunningham asked why Pct. 1 wanted to finance the purchase of the truck when the Pct. has the money to pay off the truck.
Pct. 1 Commissioner Troy Waggoner said he prefers to maintain a healthy balance to make certain his precinct can weather emergencies.
"The only reason we have that money is that you haven't been able to spend it," Pct. 2 Commissioner A.J. Self told Cunningham.
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Commissioners court voted to go out for bids for rock and gravel for all precincts, and to go out for bids for asphalt materials, emulsions and road oil.
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Commissioners court voted to approve Final Plat for The Ranch at Bois d’Arc on CR 2935 in Precinct 4; Property ID#s R000083083, R000099317 & R000128549.
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Commissioners court approved releasing the bond for North Texas Acquisitions, LLC (Lakewood Capital Group) for the Bridgewater Subdivision on CR 2945; $958,385.80.
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Commissioners court voted to approve grandfathering in Property ID# R000080772 on FM 816 in Wolfe City in reference to the 10+-acre platting rule that was implemented in January, 2026; property owner had already planned the division, and a 6-acre lot sold prior to implementation of new rule.
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Commissioners court approved a resolution by the commissioners court of Fannin County, Texas accepting for filing a landowner petition requesting the creation of the Cypress Point Public Improvement District; finding the petition to be compliant with applicable laws; calling a public hearing to consider the creation of the public improvement district; authorizing and directing that notice of the public hearing be given as required by law; providing for an immediate effective date; and resolving other matters in connection therewith.
A public hearing is scheduled for April 28, 2026 to possibly create the Cypress Point Public Improvement District.
Mark McLiney, of SAMCO Capital, explained that public infrastructure will be paid for by assessment on the property and be the responsibility of the landowner(s) in the Public Improvement District. However, amenities built with bond money must be open to the public.
McLiney said the bond will not reflect on county debt.
As opposed to a Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) that diverts a portion of future property tax revenue growth to fund growth, with a Public Improvement District (PID), all applicable taxes go to the appropriate taxing entities, including the county and school district.
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Commissioners court approved a resolution authorizing the execution of a Professional Services Agreement between the Fannin County and the developer of the Cypress Point Public Improvement District; and resolving other matters related thereto.
The developer places $30,000 in escrow to cover professional services in order to insulate the county from financial responsibility in case the development isn't successful.
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Commissioners court discussed a Resolution regarding the establishment of data centers in Fannin County.
Savoy Mayor Roger Cada called for an expert, independent impact analysis to inform and protect the people in northwest Fannin County.
Cada also stressed the need for a hydrology report, and an analysis of the project's wastewater system.
Savoy resident Mike Glover thanked the court for considering this resolution and asked for careful oversight as this Black Mountain project moves forward. Glover said a proposed power plant could be as close as .6 miles from Savoy Elementary School and data centers are planned for Savoy and Bells. He asked for a pause of developments such as this that lowering property values and alarming rural Texans.
"We have to be very careful not to accommodate them," Cunningham stated.
Waggoner said there is a pressing need regulation at the state level because small counties have limited authority and he plans to visit sites under construction to learn as much as possible.
The Resolution passed unanimously.
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Commissioners court approved a renewal of the Affordable Care Act Reporting Tool Service (ARTS) through Texas Association of Counties at no cost to Fannin County.
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Commissioners court approved House Bill 2844 which gives the Department of State Health Services responsibility for Mobile Food Vendor permits in Fannin County.
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Commissioners court approved the purchase of lawn and maintenance equipment for Fannin County property maintenance, $17,278.32; to be paid from lawn & maintenance budget.
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Commissioners court unanimously voted to approve a Resolution expressing interest in naming the new Highway 34 bridge in Ladonia the Pete Patterson Memorial Bridge at Ladonia.
TxDOT has agreed to dedicate the bridge to Patterson as long as the county will pay for the sign.
Patterson served from 1972 until 1999, specifically representing the interests of rural Texans.
Doug Janeway, of Upper Trinity Regional Water District, said the UTRWD board will consider the court's request.
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In a discussion regarding right-of-way permits for 360 Broadband, contractors were asked to keep vehicles and equipment off roads, and to clean up after projects.
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Signage at the Fannin County Justice Center needs to be changed from "Municipal Services" to "County Services."
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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, Bonham resident Rusty Deets asked the court to reconsider its rule requiring speakers to sign up prior to court because subjects come up during meetings that need to be addressed.
"We've got to figure out a system," Deets remarked.
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In regard to construction, courthouse repairs and the Justice Center, the move-in date at the Justice Center has been pushed back until summer. It could be August before the courtrooms are ready.
In regard to the county budget and revenue sources, Cunningham said that $5 million in precinct budgets could be used to pay the salary of a road engineer. That opinion drew criticism from commissioners who say they have pinched pennies to build up their precinct budget.
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In regard to Fannin County roads, county resident Mike Nedjek says he just wants residents to have a chance to vote on unitization and he believes a road engineer can be hired for $78,500 to $121,500.
A quick search indicates that salaries start at $150,000 for experienced county road engineers in Texas.
Commissioners court adjourned at 12:55 p.m.
