Fannin County, Texas -- All five members of Fannin County Commissioners Court were present for a regular meeting of Fannin County Commissioners Court on Tuesday, April 9, 2024. 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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In public forum, Judge Cunningham thanked everyone involved with public safety during the total solar eclipse.
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Fannin County Commissioners Court approved payment of bills totaling $224,928.93.
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Commissioners court approved the Auditor Monthly Report for March 2024.
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Mark DeMay, Director of Fannin County Indigent Healthcare, presented an update of indigent healthcare activity for the second quarter of 2024.
In January, Mr. DeMay handed out TAPS vouchers to Indigent patients without transportation and began monitoring the program throughout the months of February and March. Some patients had upcoming medical appointments and had not yet used their vouchers. The patients who did use their vouchers did not report any issues. However, TAPS is still only
operating in the mornings in Fannin County due to driver shortage.
On February 15, 2024, DeMay met with Stephanie Chandler of the Fannin County Behavioral Health Leadership Team to discuss more effective ways of utilizing community resources and identify gaps in public assistance.
On February 28, 2024, DeMay met with Cindy Fortenberry of Texas Workforce Solutions to create an extension of their office within the Indigent Health Care Office by making all materials available for Indigent patients who have been cleared by their physician to return to work.
On March 1, 2024, DeMay attended the Sexual Assault Response Team Meeting to discuss the progress of this vital program at TMC Bonham Hospital.
On March 21, 2024, DeMay attended the Fannin County Behavioral Health Leadership Team meeting and gave a presentation on process improvements in the Indigent Health Care Program, the role of non-profit organizations in the community, weapons in the war against substance abuse, and our responsibility to make inpatient and outpatient mental health care accessible for all.
Fannin County Indigent Healthcare has launched inpatient screening prior to discharge so case management can assist with compliance and funding with post-discharge follow-up appointments and medications. A recent Harvard Medical School study found active case management prior to patient discharge increases health outcomes, reduces future admissions, and reduces overall healthcare costs. This closely aligns with our goal of improving the health of the community.
The Indigent Health Care Office not only assists Indigent patients with vital Advanced Directives, but is now offering this help to the community. If you do not have a Living Will or Durable Power of Attorney and need assistance navigating terminology such as DNR, DNI, heroic measures, vegetative state, etc, contact the Indigent Care office for Texas forms and assistance with these important legal documents.
"These are free forms and I am happy to assist," DeMay said. "Take those with you when you go to the hospital."
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Report of monies received by the Justice of the Peace Precinct 1 office for March 2024; $12,154.30.
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Report of monies received by the Justice of the Peace Precinct 3 office for March 2024; $4,774.97.
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Report of monies received by the District Clerk’s office for March 2024; $24,749.75.
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Discussion, consideration and action items
Fannin County Commissioners Court approved a proclamation declaring April 2024 to be Sexual Assault Awareness Month in Fannin County.
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Fannin County Commissioners Court approved the additional cost of a hotel room for the District Court Coordinator to attend the Texas Center of Judiciary Training for Court Professionals in June; $164.00 per night vs. max allowed of $145.00 per night.
There is sufficient money in the budget line item, however this expenditure had to be approved by commissioners court because the cost of the room is more than county policy allows.
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Fannin County Commissioners Court approved a Preliminary Plat for Five Points Subdivision on the southern portion of FM 1396 near Windom; 99 1+ acre lots
The subdivision HOA will take over CR 2985 and maintain it in perpetuity, although county residents will continue to have access to the road.
Judge Cunningham said he expects these homes to add to the county tax base.
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Fannin County Commissioners Court approved a Preliminary Plat for The Harbor at Five Points on the east side of FM 1396 near Windom; 21 1+ acre lots.
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Commissioners court approved incorporating both audio and video at weekly commissioners court meetings via Zoom.
Dustin Morrow, Fannin County Information Technology Director, advised the court that the county has the capacity to provide video, along with audio, at a minimal cost.
"I'm into transparency," remarked Judge Cunningham. "It would be good to have open sessions where people can watch while they listen."
Starting with the next regular meeting of commissioners court, video and audio should be available on Zoom.
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Chris Wilson led the presentation and told the court he has a petition with 900 signatures from people who oppose wind farms.
"We vastly outnumber those in favor of this development," Mr. Wilson stated and he warned residents in western Fannin County and eastern Grayson County that wind farms are also looking at an area near Ector, Savoy and Bells.
Wilson said there is no state permitting process to ensure proper vetting of wind farms. He expressed gratitude to Fannin County Commissioners Court for taking a stand against tax abatements for these projects and he asked commissioners court to impose a three-year moratorium on wind projects until consequences can be studied.
"Can we expect your support as commissioners court?" Wilson asked, and he suggested that each member of the court go on the record stating their position.
"I've got friends on both sides of this issue," Judge Cunningham began. "Friends who like mailbox money...and friends who don't want a wind turbine built near their dream home. I need to be looking after what is best for the county and I don't think being a green energy colony is good for Fannin County."
However, Cunningham said he needs a legal basis to move forward with a moratorium.
"It's not should we have a moratorium, it's whether we can have a moratorium," Judge Cunningham stated. "We are going to take a hard look at it."
Regarding the concept of green energy, Cunningham stated, "It may be good for the world, but I think it's bad for Fannin County, and I'm not sure that it's even good for the world."
"I do not advocate any support for wind turbines," echoed Pct. 3 Commissioner Jerry Magness.
Several residents addressed commissioners court to voice opposition to wind farms.
Tara Woodlee told the court that she lives about a football field away from the proposed site of a wind turbine. She told of purchasing this property in a beautiful rural setting with the intention of leaving it to their family.
"This is not what we intended our retirement years to be, or the legacy we want to leave to our children," Ms. Woodlee remarked, and she asked members of commissioners court to offer assurance they are doing everything possible to prevent wind farms in Fannin County.
John Bilodeau asked if the danger from wind turbines could end up being similar to health issues related to high-voltage lines. He asked commissioners court to "pump the breaks" on wind farms until a three-year moratorium allows the collection of more data.
Leah Herrington said a small, private air strip is an integral part of her business and told the court that her family's livelihood is being directly impacted by the possibility of wind turbines being located nearby.
Jason Walker said that while he is not a fan of wind farms, he is a big fan of property rights. Mr. Walker asked the court to consider the plight of a struggling farmer who feels like he needs revenue from wind turbines to save the farm.
After taking a 20-minute break at 11:41 a.m., Fannin County Commissioners Court reconvened to announce it will consider a moratorium and vote on it again in four weeks.
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Discussion items
Commissioners court passed on a discussion item regarding potential GRS Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Texas Seven, LLC on Property ID# 78404 in the unincorporated area of Bonham, Texas.
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In a brief discussion regarding property on the west side of State Highway 78 just south of the Red River bridge that had once been a roadside park.
Cunningham said that, after looking into details, there is an agreement in place with TxDOT that would permit the county to go forward with restoring the area if it wanted to. However, there is a problem with intermittent property, as well as the significant cost of the project to consider.
"Access to the river sounds nice, but not anything we are willing to spend a million dollars on," Cunningham stated.
He suggested leaving the agreement with TxDOT in place in case the situation evolves.
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Open discussion items
(Open discussion items will be passed on unless discussion requested by a member of the Court or a Citizen.)
In a discussion regarding the justice center, once again the county judge said he had no hard numbers from the construction manager at risk to pass along.
"We're still waiting on pricing," Cunningham reported.
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In regard to water issues affecting Fannin County, Cunningham is trying to initiate a meeting of Fannin County Water Supply Agency, but having trouble getting a quorum.
Efforts to reconstitute that organization will continue.
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The court had no need to hold an executive session.
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Commissioners reminded residents that torrential rains have damaged numerous county roads, including two big washouts on CR 2010. Residents are asked to watch for barriers on roads and never drive around a barricade.
