Money was the main theme of the February 23, 2004 Fannin County Commissioners Court. Fees, fines, payments and bids were discussed before the full court.

Public Forum: John Bolster, of Linebarger, Goggan, Blair and Sampson, LLC Attorneys at Law, offered his company's services in collecting delinquent fees and fines. This is the second time the company has approached the Commissioners about the offer. Bolster suggested the County begin by letting them collect Class C Misdemeanor fees 60 days overdue. For every fine that the company collects, they tack on a 30% surcharge, so the County will usually never pay for the service out of pocket. The only exception is if a fee dates back to before June 18, 2003 and then the County must pay 15% of the total fee. The County can choose to limit collection on fees to after June 18, 2003. In order to participate in this program, the County would have to invest in a $3,500 software package that Bolster says will be reimbursed by the collection agency. With the software, fees over 60 days due will be flagged. A clerk will be responsible for emailing an update to the collectors every two weeks. Commissioners asked Bolster what would happen if someone didn't pay their fine until they were 61 days overdue and before the collectors made contact. Bolster said that they would still be subject to paying the 30% surcharge as the file is technically already turned over to them. In most cases, he said, if they haven't paid the fine in 60 days, they have no intention of paying.

Judge Derrell Hall said the offer would be put on the Commissioners Court agenda at a later date for formal discussion or action.

A constitutional challenge has been levied against the Family Preservation Fee, recently enacted by Fannin and several other Texas counties. The fee is added to any divorce case processed in the county. In Fannin, the $15 fee is split evenly between the Fannin County Family Crisis Center and the Fannin County Children's Center. Although the fee has been collected, it has not yet been redistributed. While waiting for an official opinion on the matter from the Texas Attorney General's Office, Fannin County Commissioners voted to continue collecting the fee and hold all monies until an decision has been made by the State. If the Family Preservation Fee is revoked, the fee will be reimbursed.

The Commissioners signed a resolution declaring March 21-27 Poison Awareness Week.

Bonham Fire Chief Mike Baker came before the Court to present a new fee schedule for EMS services to county residents. He is proposing a no transport fee of $300 for people living outside of Bonham be charged if an ambulance is called out but is not needed to take a person away for further treatment. Supplies for on site treatment will also be charged. Baker said the new fees are a way to cut down on prank and nonemergency calls while increasing revenue for the EMS service. In a month's time, Bonham EMS handles about 50 no transport calls, half of which Baker believes are pranks or unwarranted. EMS medics will have discretion over whether to charge the person a no transport fee or not. For instance, if someone calls in a request to check on a neighbor, but the situation turns out to be a nonemergency, no fee would be charged. However, in cases like the infamous Honey Grove chicken call (a woman called in asking for help determining if a cooked chicken was safe to eat), it is likely the person would be invoiced. EMS is required to respond to every call they receive regardless of the situation.

The fees will help the EMS service recoup costs on calls and add to the revenue stream. Chief Baker said he hopes the new fees may eventually replace part of the nearly $400,000 subsidy given by the County per year. Bonham EMS serves the entire county with four full time ambulances.

The fee schedule will be put on the agenda for action at a later date.

The Commissioners approved an interlocal agreement between Fannin County and Bonham ISD. Emergency Management Coordinator Clint Wagstaff says this a final step of formality after a year of negotiations. In the event of a mass inoculation (such as small pox), Fannin County can use Bonham school facilities, particularly at the high school. There will be no charge to the County, but they are responsible for cleaning up after each use.

Scott Hartwell made the winning bid on 97 acres of pasture land off Silo Road. Hartwell will lease the land from the County for $2,000 per year ($20.62 per acre). Three other bids were submitted, ranging from $10.57 per acre to $18 per acre. As part of the standard contract, the County will not be responsible for maintenance or placing a fence around the property.

Plats for Trenton High Meadows home development in Precinct 2 were approved.

Precinct 4 was given permission to purchase a trailer to carry equipment.

Commissioners voted to establish a County Industrial Commission to promote, recruit and maintain industries in an orderly fashion throughout Fannin County. The Commission would need at least 7 members, but Judge Hall suggested having nine or more. The Commissioners will bring to the next meeting names of people they would like to serve on the Industrial Commission. Those appointed in March would serve two year terms. “This is definitely something we need,” said Judge Hall.

After an extended closed session, the Commissioners voted to approve the District Clerk's budget by $700 to bring the Chief Deputy's salary up to the full amount due.