Fannin County, Texas -- All five members of Fannin County Commissioners Court were present for a special meeting on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. The meeting opened with an invocation by Dane Berkey, youth minister at Northside Church of Christ in Bonham, and pledges were led by Major James Manis (Ret.).
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Fannin County Judge Newt Cunningham introduced Savoy Mayor Roger Cada, and Dodd City Mayor and Pct. 4 Commissioner-elect Mike Keene in attendance.
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In public forum, Pct. 1 Commissioner Troy Waggoner thanked everyone who worked behind the scenes to make Fannin Agricultural Association's Steaks on Main another remarkable success. One thousand ribeyes were served and approximately 1,500 people were in town for a concert by the Bellamy Brothers. Waggoner also expressed gratitude for the safety of the deputy that was ambushed in Leonard, Texas last week.
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Routine items
Commissioners court approved payment of bills.
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Commissioners court approved minutes of previous meetings.
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Commissioners court approved the Treasurer's Financial Report for March 2026, as well as the Treasurer's Investment Report for March 2026.
Total receipts were $1,146,972.83.
Total interest for March was $77,820.39.
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Report of monies received by Justice of the Peace Precinct 1 office in March 2026; $47,904.80.
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Report of monies received by Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 office in March 2026; $15,575.70.
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Report of monies received by Justice of the Peace Precinct 3 office in March 2026; $9,090.00.
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Report of monies received by District Clerk’s office in March 2026; $27,038.52.
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Fannin County Auditor Alicia Whipple presented the Auditor Monthly Reports for March 2026.
"At the end of March, our General Fund revenue was $13,797,506.31," stated Whipple. "Year-to-date expenses at the end of March was $2,235,452.11."
Whipple provided members of the court with a summary for revenue and expenses for March that indicates that, after completing six months of the fiscal year, almost all of the departments listed in the General Fund have 50% or more of budgeted funds available.
Whipple added that all four R&B line items also have 50% or more remaining in their budgets.
Whipple cautioned that leases for county offices that are waiting to move into the renovated Fannin County Justice Center were only budgeted through the end of 2025 and there is only 17% remaining in department 518 County Office Relocation. That line item would be even more depleted if money for moving expenses wasn't included.
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In a discussion regarding Internal Audits of Constable Precinct 2 and Constable Precinct 3, Whipple urged timely entries into the Odyssey System.
"We do need to document what we do," remarked Judge Cunningham.
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Discussion items
Two deputies from the Fannin County Sheriff’s Office, Jesse "Mack" McCrary and Max Wooddell, were presented Life Saving Awards for their response to a major head-on collision resulting in multiple casualties.
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In a discussion regarding election updates, Fannin County Clerk Jenny Garner said there will be multiple elections in the county on Saturday, May 2, 2026.
Garner said planning is underway for the runoff election May 26, 2026, with early voting set for 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. May 18-22. There will be no voting on the weekend of May 23-24.
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Discussion and possible action items
Fannin County Commissioners Court approved a Proclamation declaring that April 2026 will be recognized as Child Abuse Awareness Month in Fannin County.
Stephanie Garcia, Director of Fannin Children’s Center Director, introduced volunteers and staff, and explained the important role of CASA advocates.
"Child Abuse Prevention Month is a great time to bring awareness regarding child abuse and how each of us can make a difference in the life of a child and help them be safe," Garcia explained in a prepared statement. "Blue pinwheels have been placed in a variety of places across Fannin County to remind us of the children that have been abused or neglected in Fannin County and urge us to remember it is a community responsibility to create environments where children can safely thrive. As community members we can help promote safety by participating in educational prevention classes, such as Darkness to Light, offered at the Fannin County Children's Center, which helps us to recognize possible signs of abuse and the appropriate way to report allegations of abuse or neglect. 1 in 10 children are sexually abused by their 18th birthday. This is too many. Let's join as a community and stand up against child abuse! Empower yourself and your family! Education is our strongest defense. Join us for a Darkness to Light training on April 27, 2026, from 5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. at the Fannin County Children's Center: RSVP Required: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/darkness-to-light-fannin-county-community-superpower-training-2
Last year in Fannin County, there were 196 investigations of child neglect or abuse, with 39 confirmed cases and seven removals.
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Commissioners court approved the transfer of a 2020 Chevy Tahoe with 260,000 miles from the Sheriff’s Office to Constable Precinct 1; Last 4 of VIN# 0342.
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Commissioners court voted to enter into a vehicle lease program for the Sheriff’s Office from Classic Chevrolet, to be paid for by DHS funding.
Steve Jones of Classic Chevrolet explained the streamlined process that will keep cost as low as possible.
$100,000 from DHS would purchase five equipped patrol units.
Sheriff Shook said his goal is to have all vehicles with fewer than 100,000 miles in order to lower maintenance cost and increase equity when vehicles are traded in.
Oil changes on the leased vehicles will be performed by Classic Chevrolet at no cost to the county.
Shook noted that the county spent $15,000 on oil changes this year.
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Commissioners court voted to accept a $1,000.00 donation from Correct Solutions to sponsor the Sheriff’s Office Special Response Team to attend the Texas Tactical Police Officers Association annual training conference.
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Commissioners court passed on an agenda item regarding approval of Assurances Relating to Real Property Acquisition by Fannin Soil and Water Conservation District, Pilot Grove Sites #38 and #39 approximately 3 miles south of Trenton.
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Commissioners court voted to approve reducing the speed limit on CR 4500 in Precinct 2 to no more than 30 m.p.h.
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Commissioners court voted to approve a change in zoning from A&R, Agriculture and Ranching District to RE, Rural Estate Single Family District on CR 2960 in Precinct 4; 17 acres, Property ID# R00081853.
Only one protest letter was submitted.
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Commissioners court voted 4-1 to approve a Resolution to participate in the Tax Increment Financing Reinvestment Zone #3, City of Bonham Participation Agreement.
According to Texas.gov, tax increment financing is a tool that local governments can use to publicly finance needed structural improvements and enhanced infrastructure within a defined area. These improvements are usually undertaken to promote both the viability of existing businesses and to attract new commercial enterprises to such an area, which is referred to as a Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ).
William Myers, BEDCO Executive Director, thanked Fannin County Auditor, Alicia Whipple and Fannin Central Appraisal District Chief Appraiser, Tylene Gamble for assistance working through this detailed process.
The intent of the TIRZ is to provide incentive to spur private investment and concentrate strategic development.
"We just need this tool to encourage the development," Myers stated.
Chris Banham, senior consultant with Catalyst Commercial, called TIRZ a special zone for authorized public improvement.
When a TIRZ is established, the property tax revenue within that zone is frozen at a "base" rate; any future tax revenue generated by increased property values is reinvested into the zone to pay for development projects or to reimburse developers for improvements.
"50% of any new property tax revenue would go into the TIF [Tax Increment Financing]," Banham advised the court, "and the remaining 50% would go back into the General Fund where it normally would go. After a 30-year term, those revenues would revert back to where they were normally going."
The 50% share formula would continue as revenue increases.
A board with 5-15 members, including at least one county official, will oversee the TIRZ.
Pct. 4 Commissioner Doug Kopf recommended a five-person board with three representatives of the city and two from the county.
Pct. 3 Commissioner Kurt Fogelburg went a step further and suggested equal representation.
A Public Improvement District (PID) could be used in conjunction with a TIRZ.
The agenda item passed 4-1, with Commissioner Fogelberg casting the opposing vote.
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Commissioners court held a brief discussion regarding Justice Center landscaping.
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Commissioners court voted to approve an Order of budget amendments for January 2026 – March 2026.
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Commissioners court voted to approve revisions to the Accident Prevention Plan following the Risk Assessment Audit for Fannin County after a Risk Assessment Audit for Fannin County indicated that changes were recommended.
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Commissioners court passed on an agenda item regarding the placement of “No Fishing” and “No Parking” signage for two bridges over Bois d’Arc Lake on CR 2980.
Commissioner Fogelberg said he believes the bridges and road are wide enough to allow fishing from the bridges if people will park correctly.
Executive session(s) and action if needed
Pursuant to Texas Government Code, Section 551.071, Fannin County Commissioners Court entered into executive session at 11:01 a.m. to consult with their attorney, and to discuss personnel issues.
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Commissioners court reconvened in regular open session at 11:35 to announce that some furniture is being delivered to the Justice Center on Monday.
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Bonham resident Rusty Deets asked about the delay in correcting the courthouse basement so that water drains faster, and he asked about the drainage issue at the Justice Center.
Deets was informed that the project engineer will address the problem at the Justice Center.
Deets asked if furniture being delivered to the Justice Center will be harmed by leaks in the roof and was told that the roof above the furniture has been repaired.
Deets also warned the court that the TIRZ depiction indicates parking around the courthouse could be limited.
Commissioners court adjourned at 11:41 a.m.
