Bonham City Council voiced unanimous support for a request by Bonham Chrysler, presented a proclamation recognizing February as Boy Scouts of America Month, amended the fee schedule relating to the provision of water and sewer installation taps inside the City of Bonham and at Lake Bonham, discussed a bond package that will fund improvements at the downtown fire station, Jones Field Airport and at camping areas at Lake Bonham, plus announced plans for a City of Bonham General Election May 11.
In its last meeting, Bonham Economic Development Corporation was unsure about how to proceed after a request for an incentive by Bonham Chrysler. The high-volume automotive dealership has energized business in north Bonham after moving some inventory in May 2012 to the former location of Legacy Ridge Autoplex located at 2122 North Center Street in Bonham.
At that time Bonham Mayor Roy Floyd said, "The Bonham Chrysler Dealership is a valued retailer and resource for our community. We want to work with then every way possible."
At the Bonham City Council meeting Monday, February 11, Mayor Floyd echoed those same sentiments.
"Eugene [Knies] and his staff have made a great difference in our community," Floyd stated after saying that Bonham City Council supports this incentive and asks BEDCo to reconsider an incentive award of up to $45,000 for improvements at Bonham Chrysler's second location at 2122 North Center Street.
It would seem likely that BEDCo will follow up by approving the expenditure for improvements at Bonham Chrysler at the next meeting of the local economic development corporation.
In other business, Bonham City Council unanimously approved the issuance and sale of Combination Tax and Revenue Certificates of Obligation valued at $595,000 that will fund capitol improvements at Bonham Fire Department, Jones Field Municipal Airport and Lake Bonham Recreational Area.
The estimated cost to rehab the downtown fire station is $257,000; a $1.6 million TxDOT Aviation Grant will enable the City of Bonham to build approximately 14 new hangars at Jones Field and Bonham will contribute 10%, which is $160,000; electrical power upgrades at Lake Bonham Recreation Area will cost approximately $130,000. In addition, it will cost $48,000 to issue the Certificates of Obligation.
Bonham City Council also ordered a City of Bonham General Election for Ward #1, Ward #2, Council Member-At-Large, and Mayor to be held May 11, 2013, with extended voting hours to be May 6-7. Fannin County Courthouse will be the polling place for early voting and on Election Day.
John Burnett represents Ward #1. Mr. Burnett as served on the City Council since May 2001. He was first elected in 2001 as City Council Member at-Large and then to his present office of City Council Member Ward No. 1 in May 2005.
Ruth Ann Thomas represents Ward #2. Mrs. Thomas has served on the City Council since 2008.
Wayne Moore is the Council Member-At-Large. Mr. Moore has served on the City Council since May 2000. He was first elected in 2000 as City Council Member Ward No. 3 and then to his present office of City Council Member at-Large in May 2005.
Roy Floyd is the Bonham Mayor. Mr. Floyd has served on the City Council since May 2001 when he was elected as City Council Member Ward No. 5. An amendment to the City Charter in 2006 allowed for the mayor to be elected directly by the voters at the next election and Mr. Floyd has served as elected Mayor of the City of Bonham since May 2007. He has also previously served as City Council Member Ward No. 5 from April 1980 – April 1987 during which time he was selected by the City Council to serve as mayor.
