Fannin County, Texas -- All five members of Fannin County Commissioners Court were present for a special meeting held Tuesday, July 28, 2026.
*****
With time running out to either find a way to balance the county's 2026-2027 budget or dip into reserves, more bad news surfaced July 28 in a special meeting of commissioners court. Already $1,394,300.82 in the red, the county will need to budget a quarter-million dollars to pay for legal costs related to the six courthouse restoration indictments that were tossed out for Lack of Probable Cause. Fannin County Judge Newt Cunningham admitted that the $250,000 taxpayers will have to pony up because of the indictments is a "conservative" estimate.
Fannin County had hoped that Texas Association of Counties (TAC) would represent it in this lawsuit, but at the moment TAC is denying coverage because in this situation it is member-against-member.
The county expects to receive a six-figure PILOT payment from Coniglio and a close examination of BESS payments is underway and could possibly produce additional revenue.
The county has approximately $80,000 remaining in contingency, but at least part of those funds will likely be needed to assist county employees moving into the Justice Center.
The situation is fluid, but as of this very moment the General Fund is upside down by $1,394,300.59; R & B 1 is upside down by $346,510.50; R & B 2 is upside down by $216,667.47; R & B 3 is upside down by $685,306.82; and R & B 4 is upside down by $407,790.55.
The county is expected to retain 25% of its annual budget -- approximately $4 million -- in reserves. The county currently has approximately $7.5 million in reserves. The critical pinch always occurs in the first quarter of the fiscal year before property tax revenue begins accumulating.
Pct. 2 Commissioner A.J. Self said that county judge-elect John Tynan offered to cut expenses by doing away with a part-time secretary in the judge's office when he takes office January 1, 2027.
Commissioners court voted 4-1 to eliminate the part-time secretary once Tynan takes office, with Cunningham casting the opposing vote.
The proposed 2026-2027 budget will be presented August 4, 2026, during the next regular meeting of Fannin County Commissioners Court.
A public hearing on the county budget is slated for August 18, 2026.
In other business:
Commissioners court voted unanimously to renew the Disaster of Declaration for Fannin County regarding Gober MUD for three weeks.
With no change in the status of the Gober water well, residents in the area will need assistance indefinitely.
The county has bottled water stored for Gober MUD customers.
*****
Commissioners court approved the county judge sending service agreement cancellation letter to CodeRed (Emergency Communications Network, LLC) effective September 30, 2026.
The county needs a mass-notification service and is currently reviewing another product that costs slightly less.
*****
Commissioners court approved part-time employee status for Lisa York to provide curriculum and instructional services, curriculum development, and election support services.
Part-time employees work no more than 29 hours per week.
*****
Commissioners court voted to approve transferring a 2016 Dodge Charger, VIN# 2C3CDXAT7EH362479, 59,485 miles, from the sheriff’s office to the district attorney’s office.
*****
Commissioners court voted to approve the Comprehensive Fund Balance Policy for Fiscal Year 2027. The policy is unchanged from last year.
*****
Commissioners court approved the Investment Policy for Fiscal Year 2027, with the only change being the rotation of commissioners on the policy board.
*****
Commissioners court voted to approve the Fraud, Waste and Abuse Policy for Fiscal Year 2027. Some additional safeguards were added.
*****
Commissioners court approved the Lake Fannin Historical Lease Operating Plan for 2026-2027. required annually and submitted to U.S. Forest Service.
Federal law states that Lake Fannin cannot be sold to any entity except Fannin County.
Sarah Richardson addressed the court to report that a blocked culvert is causing erosion and damaging the gravel road behind the caretaker's house. She added that the county can't lease the lodge because of a water leak and asked for countywide support.
"Lake Fannin is a vital part of this county's history," Richardson remarked.
Once the budget sessions have been completed, an effort will be made to reconstitute the Lake Fannin Board.
*****
Commissioners court voted to approve FY 27 Title IV-E Non-Financial Annual Review form for the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (TX-DFPS).
Fannin County Commissioners Court adjourned at 10:45 a.m.
