Fannin County, Texas -- All five members of Fannin County Commissioners Court were present for a regular meeting held Tuesday, October 29, 2024.
The meeting opened with an invocation by Fannin County Judge Newt Cunningham and pledges were led by Major James Manis (Ret.).
*****
Judge Cunningham introduced Pct. 1 Commissioner-elect Troy Waggoner in attendance.
*****
In public forum, Fannin County Emergency Management Coordinator Troy Hudson gave an update on American Red Cross's Sound the Alarm program.
According to American Red Cross, home fires claim seven lives every day, but having working smoke alarms can cut the risk of death by half. That’s why the American Red Cross is rallying volunteers to install free smoke alarms nationwide, as part of our Sound the Alarm events.
This year American Red Cross is offering to install free smoke alarms, create escape plans and share fire safety information.
The first local Sound the Alarm event was slated for September 28 in Honey Grove. To date, Sound the Alarm programs have been held in five cities in Fannin County and 113 smoke detectors were installed in 56 homes.
*****
Routine items
Fannin County Commissioners Court approved payment of bills totaling $120,378.07.
*****
Commissioners court approved the Treasurer's Financial Report for September 2024, as well as the Treasurer's Investment report for September 2024.
Total interest collected by the county in September was $92,240.88.
*****
Commissioners court accepted the county treasurer's 2024 continuing education from the Texas Association of Counties Conference September 17-18.
*****
Discussion, consideration and action items
Commissioners court approved a Resolution in support of a Community Development Block Grant for the Fannin County Hospital Authority, dba TMC Bonham Hospital, for a new vehicle for hospital use.
Chris Zeringue CEO, TMC Bonham Hospital, addressed the court to express support for the Resolution, noting that TMC Bonham Hospital is the only hospital in the county and explaining that the vehicle would be used for community outreach and education.
There will be zero matching dollars required of the county or TMC Bonham Hospital.
Mr. Zeringue thanked the court for its continued support and partnership.
*****
Commissioners Court discussed possible action regarding bois d’arc trees at the Fannin County Justice Center and possibly the Fannin County Courthouse.
Fannin County resident John Beacht called this county the epicenter of old-growth bois d'arc trees and described his process to harvest seeds from bois d'arc apples and also fashion powerful recurve bows from bois d'arc staves, two activities that went on locally long before European settlers arrived in this area.
French trappers in the mid-1700s took note of Caddo Indians making bows from this unique yellow wood along what they called Bois d'Arc Bayou, known today as Bois d'Arc Creek. The French phrase, bois d'arc, translates as "wood of the bow."
Mr. Beacht called bois d'arc a durable, hardy tree that represents the history of our region, a place the late Dr. Fred Tarpley called "The Bois d'Arc Kingdom."
Beacht offered to provide free tree stock and to supervise pruning if the county decides to plant bois d'arc trees at the justice center and courthouse.
*****
Commissioners court discussed the possible action of inviting representatives of the Caddo Nation and the French Consulate to attend the Fannin County swearing-in ceremony on January 1, 2025.
David Keene, who has served admirably as the ambassador of the Bois d'Arc Kingdom and produced a large number of writing pens made from local bois d'arc wood that have been presented to elected officials and other dignitaries, said that when people talk about Fannin County, the subject of bois d'arc often comes up.
Mr. Keene told of the history of French exploration of Texas and the large trading network developed by the Caddo Nation.
"Caddo money grew on trees...bois d'arc trees," Keene told the court and he asked for a Resolution to support the invitation of the representatives of the Caddo Nation and the French Consulate to the county's swearing-in ceremony on January 1, 2025.
Judge Cunningham said that New Year's Day could present numerous scheduling conflicts and suggested the possibility of hosting a ceremony if bois d'arc trees are planted to landscape the 1888 courthouse and new justice center.
"My mission is simply to spread the word," Keene said, adding that he would throw his full support behind whatever event works best to promote the history and value of bois d'arc.
*****
Commissioners court discussed possible action regarding county-owned property on Silo Road and Chestnut Street in Bonham as the county liquefies some assets to make certain the justice center can be completed without borrowing any more money.
The county already has 119 acres under contract to Bonham Economic Development Corporation (BEDCO) for $1.6 million. The county is considering the sale of five acres on Silo Road for $125,000 and a 1/2 acre lot on Chestnut for $89,900.
Commissioners court will revisit these two possible sales next week.
*****
Commissioners court approved an easement agreement with a landowner for TXDOT constructed bridge on CR 1202 near Savoy.
Trees must be removed to build a bypass and the county will replace shrubbery at a cost up to $1,700 with money to come from the Road & Bridge fund.
*****
Commissioners court approved a Resolution supporting Fannin County’s application to TXDOT’s Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) call for projects; signage for Precinct 1.
*****
Open discussion items
Open discussion items will be passed on unless discussion requested by a member of the court or a citizen.
The Fannin County Subdivision Committee will meet Thursday.
*****
Courthouse repairs and corresponding litigation continue. Judge Cunningham repeated his vow to get as many of the repairs as possible completed at the expense of contractors.
*****
Work continues at the justice center with no recent surprises.
"I keep reminding them that we want it done fast and cheap, but we want it done correctly," Cunningham stated.
A contractor was responsible for hitting a waterline.
*****
In regard to revenue sources, the county received another $1500 Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) payment from Bonham State Park; other entities signing up as they become aware of their responsibility to pay this county version of the HOT tax.
*****
The next meeting of Fannin County Water Supply Agency will be Thursday, November 14, 2024.
*****
In regard to Emergency Medical Services, the county, Allegiance and Bonham Hospital Authority are discussing a non-emergency vehicle that will be located on hospital property.
*****
Executive session(s) and action if needed
Fannin County Commissioners Court had no need for executive session and dismissed at 10:04 a.m.