Fannin County, Texas -- All five members of Fannin County Commissioners Court were present for a regular meeting held Tuesday, November 10, 2026. The meeting opened with an invocation by Fannin County Judge Newt Cunningham 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 Mike Keene in attendance.
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In public forum, Fannin County Clerk Jenny Garner announced that a special meeting of commissioners court will be held next Tuesday, November 17, 2026 at 1:30 p.m. to canvass the election results.
Judge Cunningham summarized the November 3 election by saying, "Texas is Blue -- there has been a major shift at the state level."
Cunningham cited the price of gas, diesel and fertilizer, as well as political corruption that apparentlu influenced Texas voters to make a change.
Major Manis recognized the veterans in attendance.
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Routine items
Commissioners court approved payment of bills.
Bills on November 3, 2026 were $480,844.96.
and bills on November 10, 2026 were $170,500.43
Payroll was $505,169.62.
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Commissioners court approved minutes of four previous meetings.
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Report of monies received by the Justice of the Peace Precinct 1 office in October 2026; $31,377.44.
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Report of monies received by the Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 office in October 2026; $11,229.90.
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Report of monies received by the Justice of the Peace Precinct 3 office in October 2026; $5,607.00.
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Report of monies received by the County Clerk’s office in October 2026; all courts $14,114.34, Land Records $34,235.25.
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Report of monies received by the District Clerk Office in October 2026; $21,888.39.
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Discussion only items
Wade Gent of Linebarger Goggen Blair & Sampson LLP presented the annual five-year report and explained the collection process for delinquent taxes.
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Sam Rayburn FFA students addressed commissioners court to discuss the pros and cons of AI data centers.
The presentation stressed the importance of carefully studying the impact of developments before approving them.
"Y'all put on a nice program and I appreciate you bringing it to us," remarked Pct. 3 Commissioner Kurt Fogelberg.
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Kerry Hill of Trenton, Texas addressed the court to express concerns about the possible location of a new sports park coming to Trenton (Property ID# R000071733).
Hill said he is worried about decreased property values and increased difficulty selling homes in a subdivision near the 50-acre lot where a sports park is being proposed.
In addition, Hill asked about drainage and traffic issues that this development could create. He said the location is under the departure/arrival route for a local airport and near two gun ranges.
Cunningham pointed out that small counties have limited rights, but added that issues could arise during the permitting process.
"There are a lot of unchecked boxes," Cunningham said. "A lot of the things you are concerned with have not been permitted."
Hill invited the developers to meet with county officials and concerned neighbors to discuss the impact on the community.
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Fannin County Purchasing Agent Lee Swafford asked about the process to determine additional access needs at the Justice Center.
Pct. 1 Commissioner Troy Waggoner explained that requests should be presented to the security committee before being addressed by commissioners court.
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Commissioners court briefly discussed pending 202 petitions. Fannin County is facing four countersuits as a result of six indictments that were all dismissed for Lack of Probable Cause and the county was instructed to budget $250,000 in fiscal year 2026-2027 for legal counsel.
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Discussion and possible action items
Commissioners court voted to approve a contract with Iglesias Law Firm that was selected at the October 27, 2026 regular meeting of commissioners court to represent Fannin County in potential litigation.
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Commissioners court passed on an agenda item regarding an Interlocal Agreement between Fannin County and the City of Ladonia for police protection, at an amount reduced from $60,000 to $40,000 per annum.
"They [Ladonia City Council] said they couldn't afford the $60,000," relayed Pct. 3 Constable Kevin Mayberry.
Fannin County Auditor Alicia Whipple pointed out that the county's current budget was based on Ladonia paying $60,000 for police protection.
The DA will study the situation to see exactly how much Ladonia is obligated to pay.
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Commissioners court voted to approve a Grant Agreement for the Rural Sheriff’s Office Salary Assistance Program with the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts regarding Senate Bill 22 (SB22) to accept funds in the amount of $350,000.00 and authorize the county judge to sign on behalf of the county.
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Commissioners court voted to approve the updated Fannin County Subdivision Committee Bylaws to add the Fannin County Appraisal District Chief Appraiser as a permanent member of the Subdivision Committee.
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Commissioners court approved an update to the Fannin County Subdivision Committee Bylaws to change the meeting location to the South Annex.
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Commissioners court followed the recommendation of the Fannin County Subdivision Committee and approved the final plat of Bois d’Arc Valley Estates.
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Commissioners court approved an Affidavit of Exception to Plat, Section 3.1.1 of the Fannin County Subdivision Regulations; CR 4231 in Bonham, Property ID# R000078966.
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Commissioners court voted to accept a donation from Corey Baker to adjust an area of the County Court at Law Judge’s bench at the Justice Center; $250.00.
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By a 4-1 vote, commissioners court approved a Potential Change Order with Crossland Construction for ADA door push buttons at the Justice Center.
The original cost was estimated at $67,349.52 for 10 ADA door push buttons, however Fannin County Purchasing Agent Lee Swafford explained that the project has been scaled down to six doors at a reduced price of $40,409.70, which would come out of contingency.
Pct. 4 Commissioner Doug Kopf suggested bidding this work and cast the opposing vote.
"I don't like change orders," Kopf reiterated, "and why wasn't this in our original plan?"
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Commissioners court passed on an agenda item regarding adding eight security gate openers at the Justice Center; $1,539.04.
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Commissioners court passed on an agenda item regarding the reinstallation of a blue mailbox at the Justice Center.
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Commissioners court passed on an agenda item regarding a list of additional items needed/wanted at the Justice Center.
The court discussed buying 12 two-way walkie talkies for a total of $513.00 and making modifications to the electrical and lighting systems at the Justice Center.
Fannin County Criminal District Attorney John Skotnik stressed the need for the walkie talkies to be compatible with the sheriff's communication system.
Swafford took an opportunity to thank county employees for working hard to make the move to the Justice Center, and he singled out the efforts of Corey Baker, Director of Fannin County Adult Probation.
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Commissioners court voted to approve a Resolution relating to an application for the 2027 Fannin County Indigent Defense Formula Grant Program.
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Commissioners court approved a pay increase of $277 annually for a part-time employee to be paid for from a special fund account.
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Commissioners court approved the disposition of framed prints located in the grand jury room at the Justice Center.
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By a 4-1 vote, commissioners court voted to approve a final draft and adopt the Fannin County Tax Abatement Guidelines and Policy.
Cunningham cast the opposing vote and suggested more stringent guidelines, while commissioners were inclined to follow the advice of the committee that created the guidelines.
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Commissioners court confirmed that only two roads listed on a Monkstown plat were previously accepted by Fannin County; all others were not accepted by Fannin County.
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Savoy Mayor Roger Cada addressed the court to say he believes that the Fannin County Power Plant near Savoy will jeopardize Savoy's grade school which is located a mere 1,000 feet away.
Cada said that concerns over the noise level and emissions from the power plant warrants an independent review and he asked that cities be notified of this type of development as soon as county officials are aware.
Joy Henderson of Savoy also voiced an opposition to this type of development.
Commissioner court adjourned at 11:56 a.m.
