Fannin County, Texas -- Fannin County Judge Newt Cunningham presided over a regular meeting of Fannin County Commissioners Court held Tuesday, July 22, 2025, with Pct. 1 Commissioner Troy Waggoner, Pct. 2 Commissioner A.J. Self and Pct. 3 Commissioner Kurt Fogelberg in attendance; Pct. 4 Commissioner Doug Kopf was absent.
The meeting opened with an invocation by Andrew Malone, pastor of First Baptist Church in Bonham, and pledges were led by Major James Manis (Ret.).
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Judge Cunningham introduced Savoy Mayor Roger Cada in attendance.
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Routine items
Fannin County Commissioners Court approved bills totaling $133,472.97; payroll was $411,815.75
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Commissioners court approved minutes from regular meetings held February 28, 2023 and June 24, 2025.
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A representative of Allegiance Mobile Health presented the Emergency Medical Services report for June 2025.
Allegiance logged a total of 171 calls, resulting in 127 transports, 23 people were treated on the scene, 8 calls were cancelled prior to arrival and 3 refused treatment.
Average response time in June was 12 minutes and 45 seconds. The longest response time was 34 minutes.
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Fannin County Auditor Alicia Whipple presented the Auditor Monthly Reports for June 2025 to commissioners court.
The General Fund revenue for June was $746,071.97.
Expenses for June was $1,368,663.86.
Year-to-date revenue was $15,900,601.75
Year-to-date expenses were $11,277,568.56.
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Discussion items
Commissioners court discussed recent developments with the Lake Ralph Hall Zoning Commission.
The Lake Ralph Hall Zoning Commission was presented materials by Upper Trinity Regional Water District and is currently taking them under review.
David Cullar, owner of a real estate agency in Bonham, addressed the court and pointed out that he and others have been waiting 2 1/2 years for the Shoreline Management Plan that will steer development.
The lack of a plan, in particular regulations regarding septic tanks, is delaying other potential buyers interested in property near Lake Ralph Hall.
"We need a Shoreline Management Plan to know what is coming," Cullar explained. "This lake is almost open and we still do not have a plan."
Cunningham acknowledged the Shoreline Management Plan is critical to moving forward.
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Discussion and possible action items
Commissioners court approved changes to Fannin County’s Zoom subscription. The meeting size will be upgraded from 100 participants to 500 participants and cloud storage will be increased from 30GB to 200GB at an annual cost of $1,080 a year for both.
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Commissioners court voted to renew the Cooperative Forest Road Agreement between Fannin County, USDA, U.S. Forest Service and National Forests & Grasslands in Texas.
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Commissioners court approved an Interlocal Agreement between Fannin County and the Regional Public Defender Office Local Government Corporation (RPDO) regarding regional public defenders for capital cases; 10/01/2025 – 09/30/2026 with a one-time automatic one-year renewal at a cost of $12,344 for the length of the contract.
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Commissioners court discussed furnishings, fixtures and equipment for the Justice Center.
Acquiring furniture from governmental agencies would streamline the purchasing process.
Currently, there is $1 million of General Fund reserves earmarked for furniture in the Justice Center budget.
"I would like to see that amount chiseled down so that we get to a fairly low amount," Cunningham stated. "There are things out there that we are spending on, or may spend on, that are going to squeeze our budget and we don't need to go over budget."
Cunningham noted there are concerns about "engineering surprises," primarily with the architectural consulting firm.
Fannin County Purchasing Agent Julie Criswell is in contact with departments that will need furniture and offered to form an ad hoc committee to explore the most cost-effective way to furnish the justice center.
The combination of the money set aside for the Justice Center furniture and the $637,500 restricted for the Highway 121 project equates to $1,637,500 of General Fund reserves the county has tied up.
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Commissioners court discussed the process of issuing a Request For Qualifications for engineering/inspection services.
Interested firms are now reviewing documents in order to report back to the county with a price.
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Commissioners court approved the purchase of a 2021 Dodge Ram 2500 Crew Cab 4x4 Flatbed w/2 underbelly tool boxes from El Dorado Chevrolet in McKinney for Precinct 1; $44,825.50 from line item #210-621-5710.
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Commissioners court voted to allow a company to present potential grant opportunities for all county departments.
A company has expressed interest in doing grant work on a percentage basis, with the company's cost included in the grant.
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Open discussion items
Open discussion items may be passed on unless discussion requested by a member of the court or a citizen.
In regard to county policies, ordinances, regulations and enforcement, it appears that a junkyard on Hwy 34 is being cleaned up.
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In regard to construction (courthouse repairs and the Justice Center), Pct. 1 Commissioner Troy Waggoner discussed the movement of a water meter and notified the court that a pressure test on the gas line failed, meaning the line will have to be replaced.
A number of issues will be addressed at a meeting with Eikon Consulting Firm and Crossland Construction, the construction manager at risk (CMAR) for the project.
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In regard to solar, wind, battery energy storage systems and the county fire marshal, another meeting with Engie, owner of the battery energy storage system near Savoy, is planned.
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Executive session(s) and action if needed
Pursuant to Texas Government Code, Section 551.071, Fannin County Commissioners Court convened in Executive Session at 9:44 a.m. to consult with their attorney, and to discuss personnel issues including Purchasing and Auditor offices.
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Commissioners court reconvened in open session at 11:09 a.m. to announce no action was taken in executive session.
The court adjourned at 11:11 a.m.
