Fannin County, Texas -- All five members of Fannin County Commissioners Court were present for a regular meeting on Tuesday, June 23, 2026. The meeting opened with an invocation by Brian Lackey, pastor of OneCity Church, and pledges were led by Major James Manis (Ret.).
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Fannin County Judge Newt Cunningham introduced Dodd City Mayor and Pct. 4 Commissioner-elect Mike Keene in attendance.
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In public forum, Sharon McEachern and Mark Hetherington of Fannin County Amateur Radio Club (FCARC) invited everyone to attend the ARRL Field Day June 27 and 28, 2026. FCARC will set up at the Bois D'Arc Creek Cowboy Church beside their arena and operate for the roughly 24-hour event, from 1:00 p.m. Saturday through 4:00 p.m. Sunday, June 27-28. The public is invited and we invite you to stop by and watch the radio club simulate emergency communication. The club's goal is to contact all 50 states as well as radio operators abroad.
Windom resident Mike Nejtek offered petitions in support of unitization.
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Routine items
Commissioners court approved payment of bills. Bills on June 16, 2026 were $106,142.22. Bills for June 23 were $220,691.18; payroll was $477,820.11 for 164 employees.
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Commissioners court approved minutes of previous meetings.
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Matt Brown of Allegiance Mobile Health presented the Emergency Medical Services Report for May 2026.
Brown reported 215 calls for service, with 178 transports, 27 people were treated at the scene without transport, seven calls were cancelled while en route, six patients were transported by helicopter, and two were deceased.
The average response time was 12:55.
The shortest response time was 1:14.
The longest response time was 37:42 to Ivanhoe.
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Commissioners court approved the Treasurer's Financial Report for May 2026, as well as the Treasurer's Investment Report for May 2026.
May receipts totaled $1,390,065.92.
Current property tax receipts were $211,294.11.
Delinquent property tax payments were $87,843.14.
Sales tax receipts were $205,774.29.
Interest on TexPool accounts was $48,640.40
The average interest rate for May was 3.6241%.
Business money-market interest was $160.11.
Interest on cash at the bank during May was $18,029.15.
Total interest for May was $66,829.66.
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Fannin County Auditor Alicia Whipple presented the Auditor's Monthly Report for May 2026.
Year-to-date revenue for General Fund is $15,622,462.92, Year-to-date General Fund expenses were $13,666,096.56, for a difference of $1,956,66.32.
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Discussion items
Texas Historical Commission recognized the Fannin County Historical Commission with the Distinguished Service Award for 2025.
According to the Texas Historical Commission, this award is given to recognize exceptional performance, as determined by a statewide assessment of annual reports, highlighting the above average contributions of this local historical commission.
Malinda Allison, President of Fannin County Historical Commission, introduced members of the historical commission who were able to attend commissioners court.
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Fannin County Auditor Alicia Whipple presented the Tax Assessor-Collector Internal Report.
Whipple said the audit confirmed that Fannin County Tax Assessor-Collector Amber Vest Sutherland is in compliance with education requirements.
"Overall, she is doing an exceptional job," remarked Whipple, "and she has exceptional employees."
Whipple said the report identified no issues with the department.
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Discussion and possible action items
Commissioners court approved constable reserves for Precinct 3.
Pct. 3 deputy constable Jeff Hundley said the precinct has three volunteer reserves that work without county benefits and furnish their own equipment.
Commissioners court ruled in 2018 that constables can't have reserves, but Fannin County Criminal District Attorney John Skotnik advised the court that it has the option to reconsider the ruling.
"You are not bound forever by what a previous court did," Skotnik explained and he urged the court to approve constable reserves for Precinct 3.
Whipple pointed out there will be a slight increase in insurance costs beginning in October.
All four commissioners voted in favor of the constable reserves, with Judge Cunningham abstaining.
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Commissioners court approved Memorandum of Agreement 287G regarding Criminal District Attorney and the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement Office of the Department of Homeland Security.
"It is going to lessen the burden on my budget and lessen the burden on the county," Skotnik noted.
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Commissioners court voted to not support nominating the southern portion of Census Tract 48147950500, Property ID #s R000100870, R000070684 and R000082417, for the Texas Opportunity Zone 2.0 program through the Texas Economic Development & Tourism Office and authorize County Judge to send letter of support.
This area is on CR 3200 south of Dodd City. The Texas Opportunity Zone program is designed to offer tax incentives in order to spur development in economically depressed areas.
Pct. 1 Commissioner Troy Waggoner expressed concern regarding extremely vague development plans.
"I'm not for this at all," Waggoner stated.
"I don't want to open the door until I know who is standing out there," Cunningham echoed.
Savoy resident Virginia Beaver thanked Waggoner for doing his homework on the agenda item.
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Commissioners court voted to approve a Short Plat for Rodgers Estates; 1673 FM 1553, in Precinct 4.
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Commissioners court voted to approve a renewal of the Lake Fannin Rental Facilities Agreement for 2026-2027.
Fannin County budgets $7,500 annually for Lake Fannin.
This historic site is used for search & rescue practice, but water is turned off to the Lake Fannin Lodge due to a leak.
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Commissioners court voted for the renewal of health insurance with improved benefits for Fannin County employees for 2026-2027.
The policy has a 2,000 deductible ($500 paid by the employee and $1,500 paid for by the county) and the annual cost per employee will increase from $13,435.08 to $14,745.72 per employee, paid for by the county.
The 9.9% increase increases the annual cost to the county to roughly $2.35 million.
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By a 4-1 vote, commissioners court voted to give county employees a 75 cents per hour raise for 2026/2027.
Elected officials will not receive a raise.
Pct. 3 Commissioner Kurt Fogelberg noted that employees received a raise last year and better benefits this year, and that was the reason he cast the opposing vote.
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Commissioners court will delay a vote on using reserves to balance any budget deficit until late July when the exact amount of the deficit can be determined.
"Right now we have a very healthy reserve," Cunningham said.
The county General Fund currently has reserves of approximately $4.2 million that is not restricted.
The county is expected to keep 25% of its annual expenses in reserve to mitigate emergencies.
During the last fiscal year, the county took $2.3 million out of reserves for the Justice Center and also dipped into reserves for $82,000 to balance the budget.
Local realtor Hannah Cupps asked how the county plans to replenish reserves?
Whipple explained that when less is spent than budgeted, that surplus goes back into the General Fund where it can be used to supplement reserves. When the county can keep inmate numbers down, it can result in significant savings.
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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 the Justice Center, plans call for employees to move into the new facility by the end of July.
Executive sessions and action if needed
Pursuant to Texas Government Code, Section 551.071, Fannin County Commissioners Court entered into executive session at 10:55 a.m. to consult with their attorney regarding the Justice Center, and to discuss personnel issues.
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Commissioners court reconvened in regular open session at 11:35 a.m. to announce that no action was taken in executive session.
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The court adjourned at 11:37 a.m.
