Bonham -- For the second consecutive year, Fannin County Commissioners Court has voted to lower the tax rate. This latest decision to reduce taxes came when Fannin County Commissioners Court convened for a regular meeting Monday, August 13, 2012. Commissioners voted to set the tax rate at $.60510 for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2012, down from the current rate of $.60810 for the current fiscal year, resulting in the lowest rate since 2006.

Budget review process was slightly different this year as Fannin County diligently followed the guidelines set by Local Government Code Chapter 111 - County Budget.  The code states that the county judge serves as the budget officer for the commissioners court of the county.

Local Government Code Chapter 111 - County Budget, Section 111.03 states: During the 7th or 10th month of the fiscal year, as determined by the commissioners court, the county judge, assisted by the county auditor or county clerk, shall prepare a budget to cover all proposed expenditures of the county government for the succeeding fiscal year.

"It is my responsibility to get it done," remarks Fannin County Judge Spanky Carter.

In Judge Carter's first two years in office, he has managed to lower the tax rate both years.

Following extensive deliberation by Carter, Fannin County Auditor Scott Dyer and department heads, a three-hour public workshop was held to review the proposed budget, line by line.

On Monday, August 13, Fannin County Commissioners Court unanimously approved the budget Carter proposed for the Fiscal year beginning October 1, 2012.

"I want to lower the tax rate every year I'm in office," states Carter. "It's not much, but we are moving in the right direction. My goal before I leave office is to get it below $.60 and I still think that's too high."

The budget approved by Fannin County Commissioners Court August 13 includes a new line item with $200,000 dedicated to the construction of a new AgriLife Extension building.

"I think it will be a great thing," Carter says of the proposed AgriLife Extension building.