Fannin County, Texas -- All five members of Fannin County Commissioners Court were present for a regular meeting on Tuesday, May 12, 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, and Dodd City Mayor and Pct. 4 Commissioner-elect Mike Keene in attendance.
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In public forum, former county commissioner Pat Hilliard asked if there had been any progress in the proposal to name and dedicate the Hwy 34 bridge over Lake Ralph Hall as the Pete Patterson Memorial Bridge. Patterson was a local rancher and realtor who served in the Texas House of Representatives from 1977 to 1999.
Hilliard explained that Lamar County Commissioners Court recently passed a resolution in support of this initiative, and TxDOT appears to green light the idea; the concept will be presented to the Upper Trinity Regional Water District Board in hopes of receiving the board's blessing.
There is some question about the City of Ladonia's opinion in regard to the name of the bridge.
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Fannin County Criminal District Attorney John Skotnik told the court about turning off US 82 to go north on County Road 1505 only to see the road blocked by a cream-colored SUV with a door open. The occupant of the car, a woman estimated to be in her 40s and apparently clad only in a dark bikini bottom, exited the car and went into the ditch, leaving just enough room for Skotnik to drive between the woman and the car door.
Commissioners court has previously discussed “No Fishing” and “No Parking” signage for two bridges over Bois d’Arc Lake on CR 2980, but neither one of those signs would appropriately address this situation.
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Pct. 1 Commissioner Troy Waggoner noted that TxDOT has agreed to accept the former roadside park on the west side of Hwy. 78 at the Red River bridge, and he thanked the DA's office and county staff for working through the process.
Waggoner also reminded residents that May is Mental Health Awareness Month and Motorcycle Safety Month.
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Routine items
Commissioners court approved payment of bills. On May 5, 2026, bills were $229,946.47 and bills this week were $1,014710.01; payroll last Friday was $478,875.18 for 162 employees.
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Commissioners court approved minutes of previous meetings.
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Report of monies received by the Justice of the Peace Precinct 1 office in April 2026; $39,573.20.
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Report of monies received by the Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 office in April 2026; $14,091.10.
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Report of monies received by the Justice of the Peace Precinct 3 office in April 2026; $11,417.60.
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Report of monies received by the District Clerk office in April 2026; $29,575.18.
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Fannin County Auditor Alicia Whipple led a discussion regarding an Internal Audit of the county treasurer. The internal audit identified several areas for operational improvement within the treasurer's office.
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Discussion items
Commissioners court discussed animal control in the county. The City of Bonham has its own animal control officers and facility, but the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the city and Fannin County only addresses rabies control.
Judge Cunningham told the court that several entities in the county are in discussions with Bob Matthews, an experienced animal control specialist who organized All American Dogs.
"How much of a problem is it for the county?" Cunningham asked.
Fannin County Sheriff Cody Shook called this a serious burden on law enforcement and expressed gratitude to volunteers who have helped him place approximately 100 dogs so far this year.
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Commissioners court briefly discussed the possible reappointment of Edwina Lane as Community Representative on the Texoma Council of Governments Governing Board to continue to serve as chairperson for two years.
"Edwina is doing an excellent job," Cunningham remarked and he asked for citizens' input regarding the eventual appointment.
"We will put it back on as an action item," Cunningham said.
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Discussion and possible action items
Commissioners court voted to approve having one mailing address, one email address and one physical address for public information requests; this information to be published on the Fannin County website and PIA posters posted at County offices.
Criminal District Attorney John Skotnik told the court that his office has volunteered to be the central location. Andy Garner, the county's civil attorney, and the DA's office will forward PIA requests to appropriate person.
The situation has been complicated by requests generated by AI entities, because requests must come from a person.
"This will decrease liability and decrease cost in the long run," Skotnik predicted.
Lieutenant Harvey Smotherman of the Fannin County Sheriff's Office noted that utilizing a dedicated website can also help the county respond to PIA requests in the required timeline.
Fannin County Clerk Jenny Garner pointed out the necessity for land records and elections information to continue going to the county clerk's office.
"I'll get with Mrs. Garner and we will get that clarified," Skotnik promised.
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Commissioners court followed the recommendation of the Subdivision Committee and approved a Short Plat for Pope Estates on CR 2905 in Precinct 4; seven 1+ acre lots on 14.077 acres, Property ID# R000129349.
Kopf had caveats and the developer agreed to comply.
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Commissioners court approved a Final Plat for Hidden Oaks Subdivision on CR 2980 in Precinct 3; 43 1+ acre lots on 58.097 acres, Property ID #s R000075788 and R000075787.
Judge Cunningham noted that the county is approving subdivisions without requiring road improvements on county roads approaching the subdivision and called it a developing safety issue.
Pct. 3 Commissioner Kurt Fogelberg warned that forcing developers to make major improvements in roads leading to developments could lead to landowners being pressured into donating land for additional right-of-way when roads are widened.
Pct. 2 Commissioner A.J. Self said this should be addressed during the preliminary plat, not the final plat.
"We might not be able to fix this problem, but we can address future problems," Cunningham suggested.
The agenda item passed 4-0, with the county judge abstaining.
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Commissioners court voted to approve an Order authorizing the retail sale of fireworks in Fannin County during the Memorial Day period beginning May 20, 2026 through May 25, 2026 at midnight.
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Commissioners court passed on an agenda item regarding the method of selecting the Salary Grievance Committee for fiscal year 2026/2027 per LGC §152.014; six specific county officers plus three public members OR nine public members.
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Commissioners court passed on an agenda item regarding possible action to select and approve members of the Salary Grievance Committee.
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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, and regulations, Criminal District Attorney John Skotnik advised residents that a company named Eco Waste Solutions has bought County Trash, along with other collection companies in this region. One of Skotnik's concerns is that Eco Waste Solutions has an address in Arkansas and the company is requiring customers to pay digitally or pay an additional $5 to pay by mail.
Skotnik considers this requirement a "hardship." His research indicates Eco Waste Solutions is owned by a company out of California and will need a license to operate in this state.
It is noteworthy that Eco Waste Solutions retained all employees and equipment of County Trash after the acquisition. Approximately eight Fannin County residents are employed by this company.
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In regard to another topic, meetings are ongoing to put together a fire code and drafts are floating around, although the county is several weeks away from having a final product.
The price of permits is one variable that has to be worked out and small businesses would have different considerations than something like a sprawling data center or power plant.
"This is something we need to carefully plan and get it right the first time," Cunningham opined.
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In regard to construction at the Justice Center, Commissioner Waggoner said that all Thermoplastic Polyolefin roofing (TPO) is now on the roof and this part of the project will be completed by May 22, 2026.
The county hopes to begin occupying the Justice Center in late June or July. The previous move-in date was October 2025 and rent for temporary offices around town was only budgeted through the end of December 2025.
Another pressing problem with the timeline is an immediate need for a change order to initiate the installation of double doors to enhance election security.
"We feel that there needs to be another set of double doors to secure the elections and IT offices, especially when voting is taking place at the Justice Center," explains Fannin County Clerk Jenny Garner.
Garner has secured a grant to pay for the installation of the doors, however she has to expend those funds before the deadline.
The grant is a HAVA (Help America Vote Act) grant for election security. The grant total is for $366,720 and the deadline for submission is July 1.
The county also has a cybersecurity grant in progress and has been notified to submit actual bids on all requests. The IT department has secured the requested information and it will be submitted.
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In regard to the county budget and revenue sources, Judge Cunningham noted the county is conducting budget meetings and he hopes to have more input and cooperation this year.
Cunningham said it is imperative that every reasonable avenue to pursue available revenue is examined because the county may have $600,000 less revenue to work with -- at least in one particular instance -- than last year.
The county judge appears to be referring to a recent FCC ruling that counties cannot profit from the phone commission at the jail, and that would knock $550,000 out of the general fund budget revenue. The Sheriff’s Association is filing litigation to challenge the FCC ruling, but that could take years to play out in court.
"We need to plan, we need to consider and we need to budget," Cunningham advised.
Executive session(s) and action if needed
Commissioners court had no need for executive session and adjourned at 10:15 a.m.
