Fannin County, Texas -- All five members of Fannin County Commissioners Court were present for a regular meeting Tuesday, September 2, 2025. The meeting opened with an invocation by Josh Lott, pastor of Ivanhoe Baptist Church, and pledges were led by Major James Manis (Ret.)
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Fannin County Judge Newt Cunningham introduced Savoy Mayor Roger Cada in attendance.
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In public forum, Jason Walker questioned equitable enforcement of rules of decorum because Walker wore a T-shirt that he felt was political satire because it poked fun at Cunningham for enthusiastically pursuing several indictments that were all dismissed for lack of probable cause.
"I did not ban T-shirts," Cunningham responded. "I made a comment about the insult that was on the face of your T-shirt."
"It is not an insult, sir," Walker replied. "I printed a political satire T-shirt that alluded to the fact that you are 0-8 in your charges against commissioners and the people involved with the courthouse."
"....which is a false statement," Cunningham countered.
"No, you are 0-8," Walker stated. "I can prove it. You lost all eight of them, sir.
"I have a right to correct you if you make a misstatement on the record," Cunningham remarked.
"In the filings, didn't all eight of them get dropped, sir?" asked Walker. "Where is the transparency? Didn't all eight of them get dropped?"
"I'll write a newspaper article about that, sir...we'll get to the facts," Cunningham said.
"Oh, I'm sure that you will," Walker stated. "That's another thing. Boy, I read your dossier about the budget. When you don't get your way and you get outvoted, you go to the paper and you write a bunch of malarkey."
Ron Green, owner of Wise Funeral Home, continued to complain that Cooper-Sorrells Funeral Home graded much higher than Wise Funeral Home by a committee that selected the county's Mortuary and Transportation Services contract.
Darren York announced the Texas constitutional amendment election in November will have 17 proposed amendments on the ballot. York said the Fannin County Republican Party will have a picnic and cookout September 13.
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Routine items
Commissioners court approved payment of bills totaling $336,711.60; payroll was $532,707.43.
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Commissioners court approved minutes from a regular meeting on December 5, 2023, with one minor correction.
Discussion items
Commissioners court discussed the location of different departments after the Justice Center is complete.
The auditor's office, development services, veterans services and indigent services will be housed in the courthouse, with juvenile probation and the Tag office remaining in the south annex.
Personnel associated with the court system will go into the Justice Center.
"I'm not sure the courthouse has enough space," said Lita Leatherwood, in regard to space allotted for development services.
Bonham resident Rusty Deets stated, "From the very beginning of the Justice Center, we were under the impression that everyone would be moving there," and he asked if there was unfinished space in the Justice Center.
Cunningham said there was "a lot" of unfinished space.
"Then why wouldn't we finish it and move everybody there and sell the property in south Bonham to help pay for it?" questioned Deets. "That makes no sense whatsoever."
Cunningham said the decision to leave juvenile probation and the tax assessor-collector's office in the south annex was because of budgetary restraints.
"It would have been very expensive to move everyone in there and we would have been spending money that we don't have," Cunningham said.
"Are you telling me that the property in south Bonham wouldn't pay for moving two offices out there?" asked Deets.
"That is my belief," answered Cunningham, "and that's assuming you can sell that piece of property, and it might be on the market for a year or two years, or you might have to bargain to sell it."
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Commissioners court discussed a bridge in a floodplain in Ravenna that was apparently built in violation of the law.
"I've looked into it," Cunningham told the court. "That particular bridge was permitted."
Walker contended that the bridge was started before being permitted and asked for a copy of the permit.
Pct. 3 Commissioner Kurt Fogelberg also asked for a copy of the permit.
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Discussion and possible action items
Commissioners court approved entering into negotiations for a contract with Correct Solutions for electronic communication services for inmates.
Correct Solutions was very highly recommended by two neighboring counties.
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Commissioners court voted to retain Crows Heating & Air to do HVAC and Chillers preventative maintenance at the courthouse.
Fannin County Purchasing Agent Julie Criswell introduced Jason Crow, owner of Crows Heating & Air and Tyler Brown, the company's lead service technician.
Crows Heating & Air submitted a bid of $2,200, a significant savings compared to the current contract, and the company also offered a 5% discount on other work besides the preventative maintenance.
Criswell said Crows Heating & Air has excellent reviews.
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Commissioners court approved the purchase of a radio for the Precinct 3 constable's vehicle for $6,076.55 to replace an eight-year-old radio. Funds will come from contingency.
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Commissioners court approved releasing the below overpledged fund at Legend Bank.
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Commissioners court approved Amendment No. 1 to the Interlocal agreement between the North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA) and Fannin County, which increases fee from NTTA to County from $5.24 to $6.50 for each vehicle registration block flags.
A block prevents vehicle registration in Fannin County as a result of not paying tolls.
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Commissioners court approved the appointment of Jason Baum as replacement for Director, Place #4 through October 2025, on the Fannin County Hospital Authority with reappointment for an additional three-year term ending October 31, 2028.
Baum owns Bonham Family Pharmacy.
Fannin County Hospital Authority provides counseling services locally and controls 70 nursing homes throughout the state with a 70/30 split of revenue.
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Commissioners court voted to change the current Thursday deadline to post agenda items to a Wednesday deadline due to House Bill 1522.
The court passed on a change weekly meetings to bi-weekly meetings, and passed on updated Rules of Procedure, Conduct and Decorum; (beginning October, 2025).
Walker asked for clarification regarding whether residents must sign up to address the court before the meeting begins, or sign up before the individual agenda item is discussed.
Galen Bennett said the county needs to update rules, and noted that he feels it is clear that the form needs to be filled out before the meeting begins, although the court has the option to allow anyone to speak.
"If we say we are going to follow the rules, we need to follow the rules," stated Bennett. "It's not rocket science," and he suggested that the updated rules be posted on the door to the courtroom.
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Commissioners court passed on an agenda item regarding a Memorandum of Understanding with Engie regarding the battery energy storage system in Savoy.
Cunningham pointed out that a previous court approved a PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) agreement with the battery energy storage facility.
"Can we stop them?" Cunningham asked rhetorically. "No. Can we hold them to certain standards? Yes."
"My concern is safety," said Savoy Mayor Roger Cada. He expressed concerns that Engie hasn't constructed a secondary access to the facility. "If things go bad, we have no way to protect ourselves."
Several residents echoed Cada's concerns.
Residents are also concerned that a clean-up of the battery energy storage facility could fall to the county
The onus has been on counties to deal with this issue because the state legislature has failed to protect residents by being proactive and establishing a regulatory agency to oversee battery energy storage facilities. However, it should be noted that State Representative Shelley Luther has been in Fannin County's corner as it fights green energy interests that have their eye on rural counties.
Walker repeated his contention that he isn't opposed to the county having a fire marshal.
"What I've asked, is our fire marshal certified?" Walker said.
The question came up about possibly grandfathering schools that may not have adequate sprinkler systems if the county fire marshal makes inspections.
Deets told the court that, years ago, he had warned about the consequences of having a battery storage facility in the county and he asked that all safety precautions be completed before the facility goes into operation.
Pct. 1 Commissioner Troy Waggoner suggested that the court not approve this Memorandum of Understanding until Engie accomplishes all safety requirements, including the construction of a secondary access to the facility.
"We want them to do everything before they crank up," Cunningham stated, but warned of the risk of Engie going to court and pursuing damages.
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Commissioners court passed on an agenda item regarding an Interlocal Agreement with the City of Ladonia relating to law enforcement.
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Commissioners court passed on an agenda item regarding Potential Change Order #021, added storage areas for the county clerk and district clerk at the Justice Center; max $263,271.00.
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Commissioners court passed on an agenda item regarding pass throughs leading to Judges’ Benches at Justice Center.
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Commissioners court passed on an agenda item regarding whether asphalt or concrete will be used for the Justice Center parking lot.
During next week's meeting, the public can expect to learn details about what the county budgeted for the parking lot, and get updated dollar amounts from the engineering firm and the construction manager at risk.
Asphalt could cost as much as $469,000 and the estimate for a concrete parking lot is $998,000.
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Commissioners court discussed the possible need to set a hearing regarding signs being put up in Precinct 1 by TxDOT.
However, the signs are being installed by a state agency, which means the county won't need to hold a public hearing prior to the signs being installed.
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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 Fannin County roads, Walker thanked Pct. 1 Commissioner Troy Waggoner for recent work on precinct roads that have been an issue for years and questioned how Cunningham's road got paved.
When Cunningham told Jason Walker that he is happy as long as Walker's road is fixed, Andy Walker said first responders need good roads to get to emergencies and he called Cunningham "rude and crude."
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In regard to solar, wind, battery energy storage systems and the county fire marshal, Walker suggested that the county could have hired a certified fire marshal.
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In regard to Emergency Medical Services, Walker asked why a spokesman for Allegiance Mobile Health didn't show up in commissioners court to explain a 38-minute response time.
Executive session(s) and action if needed
Pursuant to Texas Government Code, Section 551.071, Fannin County Commissioners Court reserves the right to meet in Executive Session at 12:22 p.m. to consult with their attorney; Sheriff’s Department, and to discuss personnel issues.
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Commissioners court reconvened in regular session at 12:56 to announce the sheriff's office would be allowed $2,900 donation from Farmers Insurance
The court approved two $500,000 bonds for the county court and the county court at law for the combined cost of $6,400 to be taken from contingency.
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Commissioners court adjourned at 1:00 p.m.
