Bonham -- A new fiscal year begins October 1, 2012 and Fannin County Commissioners Court voted 3-1 to begin meetings at a different time in FY2013. For the past year, the chief executive body of the county has convened at 10:00 a.m. Monday to conduct weekly regular meetings. Beginning with the regular meeting slated for October 1, 2012, Fannin County Commissioners Court  will begin an hour earlier at 9:00 a.m. 

Fannin County Commissioners favored an earlier starting time, while the dissenting vote came from Fannin County Judge Spanky Carter who stated that the intention of convening an hour later was to allow for better preparation, not only on the part of county officials but also on the behalf of county residents, particularly those with agenda items. 

"My only concern is, I want to give us the best opportunity to be prepared and allow all to participate," remarked Judge Carter. 

Carter said the trend in Texas is for county commissioners courts to meet on Tuesday in order to give commissioners an opportunity on Monday to visit with concerned residents. 

"Monday is fine," Carter said after the vote. "I just want us to have more informed discussions and more participation."