Fannin County, Texas -- All five members of Fannin County Commissioners Court were present for a regular meeting held Tuesday, September 17, 2024.
The meeting opened with an invocation by Cody Austin, youth pastor for Boyd Baptist Church, and pledges were led by Major James Manis (Ret.).
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Routine items
Fannin County Commissioners Court approved payment of bills totaling $379,463.36; of that total, $187,804.59 was jail expenses. Payroll was $385,468.76.
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Commissioners court approved minutes from a regular meeting held June 18, 2024.
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Report of monies received by the county clerk’s office for August 2024; all courts combined, $17,549.03 and land records, $42,113.50.
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Report of monies collected by the District Clerk for August 2024; $26,157.70.
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Report of monies collected by Justice of the Peace Precinct 1 office for August 2024; $12,157.70.
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Discussion only:
Commissioners court discussed the upcoming Red Cross ‘Sound the Alarm’ events where free smoke alarms are provided.
According to American Red Cross, home fires claim seven lives every day, but having working smoke alarms can cut the risk of death by half. That’s why the American Red Cross is rallying volunteers to install free smoke alarms nationwide, as part of our Sound the Alarm events.
This year American Red Cross is offering to install free smoke alarms, create escape plans and share fire safety information.
The first local Sound the Alarm event is slated for September 28 in Honey Grove, followed by events in Windom and Ladonia.
Join in for an informative day at a Sound the Alarm event near you or make an even greater impact by donating to help families prepare for, respond to and recover from home fires.
Discussion, consideration and action items:
Commissioners court voted to extend the current Fannin County Burn Ban.
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Commissioners court discussed ongoing issues on CR 1605. A former landowner’s irrigation pivot blocked a neighboring landowner's access; the current landowner has built an alternative route that bypasses the irrigation pivot.
The court discussed the possibility of abandoning the old road and formally accepting this "easement" as the new county road.
"The alternate road has issues, too," Pct. 1 Commissioner Dale McQueen said, adding that he was there recently and had trouble getting through on the alternative road due to a washout where two undersized culverts are located.
Fannin County Judge Newt Cunningham and the county legal team will research the legalities involved.
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Commissioners Court approved sending draft Onsite Sewage Facilities regulations and justifications to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).
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Commissioners Court approved a new resolution transferring Fannin County’s leftover funding from the TxDOT Equivalent Match Project in 2018 from Grayson County to the City of Sherman for bridge work on Farmington Road at Choctaw Creek.
The funding must be used for a particular bridge that was initially thought to be in rural Grayson County, but turned out to be located in the City of Sherman.
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Commissioners court approved adding Fannin County Veterans Treatment Court as a juror option on the District Clerk’s Pay Sheet as allowed by Texas Government Code §61.003.
Paul Chandler, Fannin County Veterans Service Officer, explained that Fannin County Veterans Treatment Court is deferred adjudication for veterans who have been indicted and charged with a crime.
There are currently 19 veterans in this court that is presided over by Judge John Roach.
Anything that would help our veterans would be wonderful," said April Gibbs, District Clerk.
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Commissioners court approved an Interlocal Agreement with the City of Bailey for road maintenance.
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Commissioners court approved the 2025 Texas Association of Counties (TAC) County Choice Silver insurance program for retirees, at no cost to the county.
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Commissioners court approved the 2024-2025 Lake Fannin Operating Plan.
The plan must also be approved by the Forest Service.
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Commissioners court approved Fannin County Employee Manual changes, with the exception to reimbursement for meals for day use.
Changes regarded political activities, county vehicle usage guidelines, and hotel rates for employees working out-of-town.
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Commissioners court approved an Interlocal Agreement between Fannin County and Texoma Council of Governments for 911 rural addressing services October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025 for $60,000.00.
"It would be more expensive to do it ourselves," Judge Cunningham noted.
Open discussion items:
Open discussion items will be passed on unless discussion requested by a member of the court or a citizen.
In regard to the Subdivision Committee and Subdivision Policy, Cunningham said he anticipates updates soon.
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In regard to the justice center, county resident Kathy Whiteside questioned the strategy of selling 120 acres of county land near the Multipurpose Complex for $13,500 per acre in order to pay for cost overruns at the justice center.
Ms. Whiteside said that, considering growth already occurring in surrounding counties, land prices can be expected to significantly appreciate and she asked the court to reconsider the sale and consider other options.
"I think that selling the land is not a prudent idea," Whiteside opined.
"Going into debt is not something I want to do," Judge Cunningham replied.
"Could we put it to a vote, judge?" Whiteside asked in closing.
Bonham resident Rusty Deets questioned any possible sale to BEDCo because that would prevent the land from going on the tax rolls.
"What makes anybody think BEDCo is going to develop it in the near future?" Mr. Deets asked. "If they do buy it, it is because they can make a profit by flipping it."
Deets also questioned the wisdom of keeping two county departments the south annex even after the justice center is open.
As a cost-cutting measure, the county opted to reduce the space to be renovated at the justice center, which means Juvenile Probation and the Tag Office will remain in the south annex initially.
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In reference to the county budget and revenue sources, Judge Cunningham said the county's 120 acres near FM 897 has been on the market for 30 days with little interest.
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Fannin County Water Supply Agency will meet at 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 24, 2024, at Derrell Hall Education Center, located at 2505 North Center Street in Bonham.
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In regard to Emergency Medical Services, Judge Cunningham said meetings are scheduled with Allegiance, the new EMS provider as of October 1, 2024, as well as local fire departments and the City of Bonham.
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Fannin County Commissioners Court had no need for executive session and adjourned at 10:18 a.m.