Fannin County, Texas -- All five members of Fannin County Commissioners Court were present for a regular meeting on Tuesday, July 7, 2026. The meeting opened with an invocation by Michael Evans, pastor of Windom United Methodist Church, and pledges were led by USAF veteran Jenny Garner (Captain).
Fannin County Judge Newt Cunningham introduced Fannin County Judge-elect John Tynan, Savoy Mayor Roger Cada, Dodd City Mayor and Pct. 4 Commissioner-elect Mike Keene and Brandon Wallace, Pct. 2 Commissioner-elect, in attendance.
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In public forum, Dale McQueen read a prepared statement:
First, I respect whatever the court’s decision is at the end of this year’s budget process.
There are two items I would like to address regarding the discussion about this year’s budget:
1) The court is considering drawing down the county reserves to the minimum amount by moving approximately one million dollars from the general fund reserves to the 2026-2027 budget to balance it.
a. If you have paid attention to what Governor Abbott is proposing for this next legislative session you realize that the funds available to Fannin County may be even less than projected currently for the 2027-2028 budget year.
i. There has been discussion about cutting the projected 3.5% increase on existing prior year taxpayers to only a 2% increase.
ii. There is a proposal to cap both homeowners and businesses to a 3% increase in appraised value per year instead of the existing 10% homeowners and 20% businesses.
iii. Either or both would greatly affect the tax revenue available for the 2026-2027 fiscal year budget.
iv. There is also a proposal to require 2/3 majority to pass any tax increases.
2) Knowing this may be coming, why would the court want to leave the next county judge in a position whereby he is forced to make drastic cuts to balance the budget with no realistic way of increasing the taxes to cover the proposed expenses.
a. The county has left the last two judges elected with major headaches they have had to deal with that frankly had nothing to do with them, but they have had to take the blame for:
i. Judge Moore inherited a courthouse project that was never going to cost what it was sold to the public for as determined by the initial Contractor at Risk Bid of $28,000,000 dollars. As a side note, there is an interesting story behind why the county only received one bid from the 15 or so contractors that looked at the project.
ii. Judge Cunningham inherited a Justice Center project that was always going to go over the initial budget cost based on a proposal that was not realistic from day one and then had more issues when the architect had problems.
b. The next County Judge is inheriting a position that is even more divisive in that he will be responsible for funding an additional $1 million in the 2027-2028 budget paid for by reserves the previous year with no reserves left to draw on. He will be responsible for covering this debt-funded amount plus the coming budget year’s increases for next year.
i. He will need to cover the additional $500,000 in payroll and benefit costs that the court has approved for this year that is being paid from the drawdown of the reserves this year.
ii. If SB 22 is not renewed he will need to find additional funds to keep paying first responders or risk losing personnel to other counties.
iii. There are other costs that go up yearly that will need to be budgeted for in addition to personnel that will be covered this year by the drawdown of reserves.
3) Projecting the funds available for next year’s budget is not difficult provided we make the right assumptions going in:
a. One – based on the cap in how much tax revenue can be increased over last year’s rate is a straightforward calculation.
b. Two – determining the amount of property that cannot have their taxes raised can be projected with some accuracy: as a note this number is currently at 17% of all appraised values and going up yearly.
c. Projecting the Sales tax revenue that can help offset the property tax rate is straightforward calculation provided the person who does it understands where the numbers come from. This lack of knowledge will result in a $400,000 to $500,000 overestimate of sales tax revenues from the expected numbers in the 2025-2026 budget.
i. Provided this had been done properly the property tax rate would have been about 1 cent higher than it was set last year.
d. Projecting new property added to the tax role is the most difficult but we can always project a conservative value and be safe.
4) Lastly, we have had the past eight years of controversy due in some part based on decisions that the last commissioner’s court could have cleaned up on their watch.
a. To not have to make the decision to cut employees or services next year I ask that the current commissioner’s court either balance this year’s budget with no drawdown of reserves or increase the tax rate to cover their proposed budget.
b. Having a reserve fund over what we dictate we should have is not a bad thing. It allows for those unexpected expenses such as what was needed to complete the Justice Center this year. If you draw this down to the minimum the next Judge will have no cushion to work with for unexpected but needed expenses.
c. A conservative budget that allows the county to add to our reserves each year is a positive going forward.
In a subsequent commissioners court meeting held Tuesday afternoon, Fannin County Judge-elect John Tynan echoed McQueen's concern about dipping into reserves in order to resolve the fiscal dilemma.
"We don't have enough reserves as it is," Tynan remarked. "If each precinct has a big, major problem, the reserves get eaten up. Now we are trying to eat it up to balance the budget."
Tynan went on to say, "Fannin County is in a financial crisis and I ask every department head to sharpen your pencils. It's going to take a long time to get out of this."
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Routine items
Commissioners court approved payment of bills. Bills on June 30, 2026 were $151,027.99. Bills on July 7, 2026 were $1,200,362.63; payroll was $487,295.69 for 164 employees.
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Commissioners court approved minutes of a previous meeting on May 26, 2026.
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Discussion only items
In a discussion regarding an internal audit of Justice of the Peace, Precinct 3, Fannin County Auditor Alicia Whipple stated that Judge Kenny Karl is in compliance with education requirements.
Whipple had recommendation for the collection of fees, and suggested modifications of internal controls and improved documentation of payments.
Commissioners noted that elected officials are responsible for the operation of their respective offices.
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Discussion and possible action items
Commissioners court unanimously approved an Order adopting the Fannin County Fire Code with Fee Schedule – Emergency Management / Fire Marshal
The code utilizes the international fire code in most instances in an effort to protect the public in unincorporated areas of Fannin County.
This code only applies to commercial enterprises, not typical agriculture endeavors or residences.
Fannin County Fire Chief Troy Hudson told the court that he is commissioned as a fire inspector.
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Commissioners court discussed tower leasing or purchasing options from American Tower for the tower site located on E. Highway 56 in Bonham.
Fannin County Purchasing Agent Lee Swafford said contract options have been discussed. Matthew Barron of American Tower GeographicReference attended Tuesday's regular meeting of Fannin County Commissioners Court and asked for the right of first refusal as the county receives other offers.
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The court briefly discussed bids for Janitorial Services for Fannin County properties.
Eight bids were submitted, a three-person committee selected a Plano-based company, and references spoke highly of the company. Commissioners asked to discuss details in executive session.
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Commissioners court unanimously voted to follow the recommendation of the Fannin County Subdivision Committee and deny a waiver of Section 5.3e of the Fannin County Subdivision Regulations, road frontage width for Randolph Estates; from 60 ft to 50ft, 40ft & 30ft, Property ID#s R000078849 & R000082037.
Fannin County Criminal District Attorney John Skotnik also urged the court to deny the waiver.
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Commissioners court unanimously voted to follow the recommendation of the Fannin County Subdivision Committee and deny a reduction in County Plat Fees for Randolph Estates, 353 homes on 71 acres, Property ID#s R000078849 & R000082037.
Fees totaled $18,150.00 and the developer wanted fees capped at $5,000.
"I urge you to deny this," Skotnik advised, pointing out that the developer knew what the fees were when he started this process.
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Commissioners court voted to approve signing county employees up for Artificial Intelligence (AI) training through the Texas Association of Counties as required by Government Code §2054.5191; training due by August 31, 2026, at no charge to the county.
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By a 3-1 vote, the court approved picking up brush that will be piled beside the road along the historical Gates Hill Cemetery. Pct 4 Commissioner Doug Kopf expressed concern over setting this precedent in a county with 170 cemeteries and cast the opposing vote. Judge Cunningham abstained.
After learning that the City of Bonham has not shown an interest in assisting, Pct. 3 Commissioner Kurt Fogelberg remarked, "I would like to see them get some help."
Kopf encouraged more fundraising to support perpetual care of the cemetery.
Skotnik said the county has the authority to assist, but suggested using volunteers from Adult Probation and the two local state prisons.
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By a 4-1 vote, Commissioners court voted to approve a Resolution to the State Legislature requesting an adjustment to the Optional Road & Bridge Fees. The $10 fee hasn't increased since 1991 and commissioners expressed an interest in doubling the fee.
Judge Cunningham was concerned that a $20 fee wouldn't keep pace with inflation and cast the opposing vote.
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Commissioners court voted to renew the following board members and terms to the Fannin County Hospital Authority: Monica Kissling, Vice-President, 10/2026 to 10/2029 and Patricia McBean, Secretary, 10/2025 to 10/2028.
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Commissioners court voted to approve rescheduling the public hearing for Countywide Polling Place Program to July 21, 2026 at 8:50 a.m.
This program would make it possible for county residents to cast votes at any authorized county voting location.
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An agenda item regarding salary grievances revealed that no raises were given to elected officials; however, but no grievances were filed.
Open discussion items
Open discussion items may be passed on unless discussion requested by a member of the court or a citizen.
In a brief discussion regarding the Justice Center, Fannin County Clerk Jenny Garner advised the court that the county clerk and district clerk are ready to move shelving for records into the Justice Center.
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In regard to solar, wind, battery energy storage systems and data centers, Jimmie Allred and Virginia Beaver asked for all information regarding the permitting process to be relayed to the public as soon as it becomes available.
"We don't need to encourage that type of development in this county," Cunningham stated.
Executive session(s) and action if needed
Pursuant to Texas Government Code, Section 551.071, Fannin County Commissioners Court entered into executive session at 11:47 a.m. to consult with their attorney regarding a breach of tax abatement agreement, and to discuss personnel for the 336th District Court.
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Commissioners court reconvened in regular open session at 1:05 p.m. to announce that the decision was made in executive session to allow the county clerk to move money that had already been budgeted for her office between line items.
In addition the county awarded the bid for Janitorial Services for Fannin County properties to Swift Cleaners, a Plano, Texas-based company, not to exceed $110,000 annually.
