Fannin County, Texas -- All five members of Fannin County Commissioners Court were present for a regular meeting of Fannin County Commissioners Court held Tuesday, March 21, 2023. The meeting opened with an invocation by Cody Nelson, pastor of 7th & Main Baptist Church in Bonham, and pledges were led by Larry Standlee.
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Fannin County Judge Newt Cunningham introduced FCAD Chief Appraiser Tylene Gamble.
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In public forum, Carol Edwards recounted her recent experience of serving as a juror and the awkward situations that are all too common in the current facility. Ms. Edwards offered a possible resolution for some safety concerns.
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Fannin Central Appraisal District Chief Appraiser Tylene Gamble led a discussion regarding a revenue shortfall the county is facing. A $300 million drop in taxable value will result in a $1.3 million loss in county revenue in this fiscal year.
"We're going to have to watch the pennies and the nickels for the remainder of this fiscal year," Judge Cunningham stated and he questioned prior decisions to award abatements approaching $205 million in value for solar farms that tend to lower surrounding land values and offer very few jobs.
"Going forward we need to avoid this type of mistake that future generations will have to live with," remarked Cunningham.
However, there was some good news; Fannin Central Appraisal District anticipates rebating the county $80,000-$90,000, which will cushion the shortfall to a small degree.
"We're willing to do as much as we can," Ms. Gamble told the court.
Gamble also noted that Fannin County is experiencing a 20% annual increase new taxable value.
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Fannin County Commissioners Court approved a Policy of Compliance for Fannin County Officials per Local Government Code §130.908.
The resolution will prevent lame duck officials from spending more than 25% of their budget without the approval of commissioners court.
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Bonham Fire Chief Scott Ridling presented the EMS monthly profit/loss report for February 2023.
Chief Ridling said EMS is averaging 14-15 calls per day, including several calls from the Savoy area; the department is waiting on two ambulances and working shorthanded until one slot can be filled.
After taking on more territory in the western portion of the county, EMS will likely need another ambulance. With two new lakes coming to the Honey Grove area, that might be the most likely place to house another ambulance when the fleet expands.
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Larry Standlee, Chair of the Fannin County Historical Commission, provided the annual report of the Fannin County Historical Commission for 2022.
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Wade Gent of Linebarger Goggan Blair LLP provided a handout to commissioners and led a long discussion regarding delinquent tax collection.
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Fannin County Commissioners Court approved a resolution regarding the resale for $500 of struck-off tax property, 616 North 14th Street, Honey Grove; Property ID# 95269.
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Fannin County Commissioners Court approved the Treasurers Report for February 2023, as well as the Treasurer's Investment report for February 2023.
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The Office of Fannin County Clerk reported monies collected for February 2023: all courts $11,860.75; land records: $26,210.00.
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The Office of Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 reported $1,884.00 collected in January 2023 and $2,556.00 in February 2023.
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Fannin County Commissioners Court approved a one-time severance of 2.57 acres from an 8.2350-acre tract; Property ID# 84721 in the outskirts of Bonham.
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Fannin County Commissioners Court voted to rent a Wirtgen Reclaimer from Kirby-Smith at $17,280.00 per month; minimum of three months divided amongst all four precincts.
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Fannin County Commissioners Court voted to update the Fannin County Junkyard Ordinance that was originally established in 1987; the updated annual fee is $150 for businesses. Violations can result in a Class C misdemeanor.
Thomas Anderson and Jason Walker asked how the ordinance impacts farm equipment.
"How do you protect the farmers who start scrapping out their stuff?" asked Mr. Walker.
Judge Cunningham advised that casual sales wouldn't likely be viewed as a business.
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Fannin County Commissioners Court voted to approve the Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) contract with Crossland Construction Company, subject to the county judge and district attorney approving the language.
Crossland Construction Company will receive $5,000 to determine the final cost of the justice center; then the company gets 3.25% of the total cost of the project.
Crossland couldn't begin work to determine the actual construction cost without a contract.
There was some debate regarding whether an earlier estimate of $11 million for the project was simply for construction, or whether $2 million of that total was to purchase the property, leaving $9 million for construction.
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Fannin County Commissioners Court voted to approve an order authorizing the sale of fireworks in Fannin County during the period of April 16, 2023 through April 21, 2023 at midnight for San Jacinto Day.
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Fannin County Commissioners Court voted to renew the agreement with Express Labs for the Drug and Alcohol Testing of Fannin County employees; $199.00 for three years (03/15/2023 – 03/15/2026)
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Fannin County Commissioners Court voted to replace two overhead doors at the county-owned South Annex Jail on County Road 4200 for a cost of $9,130.00 to come out of Contingency. The county is responsible for maintenance at this facility.
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Fannin County Commissioners Court passed on an agenda item regarding NRG Electric Service Agreement and paying for lights that run along Highway 78; there is some confusion about which lights are on this contract.
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Fannin County Commissioners Court voted to approve the updated Fannin County Employee Manual.
"You cannot use the county tax ID number to avoid paying taxes when making a personal purchase," Fannin County Auditor Alicia Whipple reminded county employees.
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Fannin County Commissioners Court voted to approve the renewal of the TAC Risk Management Pool’s Property and Mobile Equipment Coverage for period July 1, 2023 to July 1, 2024.
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Fannin County Commissioners Court voted to move $2,180.00 from Contingency (100-509-4750) to R & M Auto (100-553-4540) for the repair and tires for Constable Precinct 3 county vehicle.
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Fannin County Commissioners Court approved the Auditor's Monthly Reports for February 2023.
Ms. Whipple said the county is currently $5 million in the black after collecting approximately 86% of the year's ad valorem revenue.
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Fannin County Commissioners Court voted to pay bills.
The total of the bills was $1,697,936.81.
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A discussion regarding courthouse repairs revealed that Eikon Architectural Services indicates that engineers should determine the severity of several issues.
Judge Cunningham suggested spending approximately $5,000 to have engineers determine the extent of problem.
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Cunningham told commissioners that he will attempt to have a landfill ordinance ready for the next regular meeting.
The county judge reiterated that he is certainly not in favor of landfills; the county must have an ordinance on the books in order to regulate where a landfill can be located.
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In a discussion regarding water issues affecting Fannin County, Judge Cunningham repeated his desire to have adequate water available for purchase.
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In a discussion regarding Fannin County road issues, Judge Cunningham pointed out that UT-Arlington has three courses and supplemental training available for road hands at no cost.
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Fannin County Commissioners Court entered into executive session at 11:43 a.m. for deliberation regarding business and financial issues in relation to contract(s) being negotiated where as an open meeting would have a detrimental effect on the position of the commissioners court in negotiations with a third person
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Fannin County Commissioners Court reconvened in open session to announce a decision to retain the services of Eikon for $5,500 to do a complete punchlist of any courthouse repairs.