Fannin County, Texas -- Four members of Fannin County Commissioners Court were present for a regular meeting Tuesday, October 27, 2020; Pct. 4 Commissioner Dean Lackey was absent. The meeting opened with an invocation by Henry Shelton, pastor of Trinity Baptist Church in Bonham and pledges were led by Major James Manis (Ret.).
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Fannin County Commissioners Court extended by one week the Fannin County Declaration of Disaster Proclamation for Covid-19, as well as the the Covid-19 Response and Continuity of Operations Plan for Fannin County
To date, the county has been notified of a total of 778 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus, with an estimated 715 recoveries and 18 fatalities related to COVID-19.
Fannin County currently has an estimated 51 active cases.
"It's in our community and it's not going away," remarked Fannin County Judge Randy Moore, adding that hospitals in nearby counties are nearing capacity.
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Mark McLiney of SAMCO Capital Markets discussed the county's options to finance a justice center.
McLiney said he wanted to avoid what happened with the courthouse where the county borrowed money, began the project and then found it would need to borrow significantly more money to complete restoration.
He suggested hiring an architect to perform a facility study, have a definitive cost by mid-April, publish a Notice of Intention to issue a Certificate of Obligation in May, sell bonds in July or August, when next year's tax rate has been determined, and then explain to voters exactly what the impact would be on the budget.
McLiney believes Fannin County's continued growth of taxable value would enable the county to construct a justice center without significantly impacting the tax rate.
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Judge Moore gave an update regarding restoration of the 1888 Fannin County Courthouse, which included masonry progress on chimneys, patching stone around windows, creating a mock-up of interior masonry and removing old plaster.
County residents are overwhelming opposed to a perimeter wall around the courthouse.
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Fannin County Commissioners Court approved the County Treasurer’s Financial Report for September 2020 and commissioners also approved the County Treasurer’s Investment Report for September 2020.
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Commissioners tabled action regarding a plaque inside the courthouse commemorating the 47-year career, service and dedication of Margaret Polly Gilbert for Fannin County until a definitive plan for a justice center has been prepared.
The county clerk will be housed in the justice center and Moore reiterated that he feels it would be more appropriate to place the plaque in the building where county clerk will be housed.
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Fannin County Commissioners Court accepted the $600,000 one-time grant from Fannin County Hospital Authority for EMS.
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Fannin County Commissioners Court appointed Judge Moore and Pct. 2 Commissioner A.J. Self to the EMS Oversight Committee
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Commissioners approved a Rental Purchase Agreement for a 2013 Chase 621F Wheel Loader.
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Fannin County Commissioners Court approved the new Fannin County Application for Employment.
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Commissioners approved the revisions in the Fannin County Employee Handbook dated 10-27-2020.
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Fannin County Commissioners Court approved Engagement Letter for Rutledge Crain and Company as outside auditors for fiscal year FY 2019/2020.
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The county's annual employee banquet is slated for December 23 in Fannin County Multipurpose Complex. There will be no charge to the county, but tables must be set up and then taken down after the banquet.
County employees who don't want to attend can work, but get off at 1:30 p.m. on December 23.
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Commissioners voted to hire Will Gordon as a part-time custodian.
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Fannin County Commissioners Court discussed personnel or supplies for Covid-19 from the CARES Act Grant or other funding. The county plans to draw down its share of CARES Act funding, use some of the money for salaries and possibly a command trailer.
Fannin County has been working with WellHealth to set up free COVID-19 testing for our county. We have received the dates of testing which are listed below. Dates and times are subject to change.
Dates:
November 2 - 7 (Monday through Friday 9AM to 7PM) (Saturday 9AM to 5PM)
November 9 - 12 (Monday through Thursday 9AM to 7PM)
Fannin County Multicomplex
700 FM 87 Bonham, TX 75418
Dates: November 19 - 21 (Thursday through Friday 9AM to 7PM) (Saturday 9AM to 5PM)
Town Square (In front of Library)
5th N 6th Street
Honey Grove, TX 75446
For more information, please contact Troy Hudson, Fannin County Emergency Management Coordinator, at 903-640-8484 or at thudson@fanninco.net.
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Fannin County Commissioners Court approved payment of the bills.