Fannin County, Texas -- With an already suspect roof at the Fannin County Justice Center now leaking in multiple places and the project costing taxpayers twice as much as they were told, Fannin County Judge Newt Cunningham tried to deflect from his budget-busting Justice Center project with yet another rage-filled rant about the condition of the 1888 Fannin County Courthouse during Tuesday's regular meeting Fannin County Commissioners Court.
Commissioners weren't amused at another episode of political theater or the prospect of telling taxpayers that it may require another million dollars to put an adequate roof on a building that has already cost almost $19 million.
Taxpayers were originally told the Justice Center project would cost $11 million and that it would be ready to occupy in the fall of 2025. Now, the price tag is approaching $20 million and the move-in date may get pushed back to the summer of 2026.
Cunningham presided over the regular meeting Tuesday, January 20, 2026, with Pct. 1 Commissioner Troy Waggoner, Pct. 3 Commissioner Kurt Fogelberg and Pct. 4 Commissioner Doug Kopf present; Pct. 2 Commissioner A.J. Self was absent.
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Cunningham introduced Savoy Mayor Roger Cada in attendance
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In public forum, Fannin County Democratic Party Chair Bob Roberts and Fannin County Republican Party Chair Darren York thanked the county for hiring elections administrator, Cristian Pérez García.
"We hit it out of the park!" exclaimed Roberts. "We've signed our 5-star recruit and now we have to keep her out of the transfer portal."
Roberts and York expressed concern that the elections administrator may not be getting the support she needs.
"She has been a phenomenal elections administrator," remarked York. "I want to commend her publicly for the job she has done."
Fannin County resident Jason Walker reminded the court of the cost and challenges of establishing public access to the Red River on the west side of the Hwy 78 bridge.
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Routine items
Commissioners court approved payment of bills. Bills on January 27, 2025 were $263,076.81. Bills on February 3, 2026 were $517,828.07. Payroll was $412,511.89.
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Commissioners court approved three sets of minutes from previous meetings.
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Discussion items
Hailie Bieber, HR Consultant with Texas Association of Counties (TAC), complimented Fannin County Auditor Alicia Whipple for her work with worker's compensation and commended Fannin County Sheriff Cody Shook and the county's Road & Bridge crews in a comprehensive coverage review.
There was some discussion regarding the implementation of a safety committee to encourage and promote a heightened culture of safety.
Fannin County Criminal District Attorney John Skotnik expressed a concern that TAC has a focus on Travis County and Bexar County, as opposed to rural counties. Skotnik is skeptical that the county is getting the coverage it is paying for.
Jason Walker countered that TAC offers a competitive package when compared to other insurance carriers.
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Shellie White, General Manager of TAPS/Transdev (Transportation and Parking Services), led a discussion regarding the TAPS 5-year Regional Transportation Plan.
White offered a survey to determine the current needs of Fannin County.
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Discussion and possible action items
Commissioners court voted to transfer a 2011 Chevy Tahoe no longer in use from the sheriff’s office to the county for use by the county elections administrator.
The county will be responsible for maintenance and fuel, which isn't budgeted.
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Commissioners court approved a Resolution authorizing Fannin County Sheriff Cody Shook to submit a grant application through the Office of the Governor for the FY 2027 Criminal Justice Grant Project; computers and technology.
Sheriff Shook said his office is asking for $65,000 and noted the grant doesn't require any matching funds.
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Commissioners court approved a Resolution authorizing the submission of a grant application to the Texoma Council of Government through the Office of the Governor for a Cellebrite device for the Criminal District Attorney’s office (CDA) which allows investigators to extract and analyze data from mobile devices.
Nick Tredway, CDA Investigator, advised that no matching funds are required by the grant.
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By a 3-1 vote, commissioners court followed the advice of the county's fire chiefs and implemented a two-week countywide burn ban.
Commissioner Kopf opposed the ban.
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Commissioners court voted to appoint Commissioner Waggoner to represent commissioners court on the Courthouse Security Committee, as required by Government Code.
Cunningham continued his habit of constantly reminding the court that he is an attorney and suggested that he would be the logical choice to serve on the committee.
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Hannah Cupps asked the court to appoint a member of commissioners court to the Fannin County Lake Economic Development Committee.
Once again, Cunningham reminded the court that he is an attorney and suggested that he would be the logical choice to serve on the committee.
Cupps said attorneys are already available for legal advice.
Commissioner Fogelberg made a motion to have commissioners rotate on the committee in a "floating" basis.
The motion was approved 3-1, with Cunningham voting no after he wasn't appointed.
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Commissioners court passed on an agenda item regarding changes to the Fannin Subdivision Regulations; Section 3.04, to require a recorded easement dedication of 30’ ROW for any platted or unplatted division of land.
Andy Garner, the county's civil attorney, advised the court that he did not recommend moving forward with this proposal.
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Commissioners court passed on an agenda item regarding approval of a Junkyard application on County Road 1250; 1 acre on a 11.163-acre tract, Property ID# R000082931.
The junkyard operator has proposed to erect a sheet metal fence to block the view of the junkyard from the road and would have to remain in compliance in order to keep a permit.
Ravenna resident Andy Walker told the court about a big junkyard in downtown Ravenna, and said TCEQ was notified to no avail. Walker suggested placing provisions in the permit to ensure the operator will clean it up.
The county may consider public hearings and a bond that would ensure funds are available for a cleanup.
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Commissioners approved the purchase of three types of shelving units for Fannin County Clerk Jenny Garner at the new Fannin County Justice Center. The shelves will be paid for out of the county clerk's special funds.
Garner said the county had saved $50,000 by delaying this purchase while continuing to look for the best deal.
One set of shelving units that was originally priced at $125,000 will now cost $75,000, the second set will cost $25,000, while the third set will be donated with the county paying for shipping and storage.
Delivery of furnishings for the Justice Center has been pushed back to April 6.
The agenda item passed 3-1, with Cunningham opposing.
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Commissioners court passed on an agenda item regarding changes to the Fannin County Employee Manual; Exempt employees and the use of vacation and Paid Time Off (PTO).
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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 courthouse repairs and the Justice Center, Cunningham said that CEC, electrical contractor at the courthouse, has been disciplined for substandard work at the courthouse.
Apparently, Cunningham didn't inform commissioners of the finding but instead sent the info to media sources.
When Cunningham was asked why he went to the media to blindside commissioners, he replied, "Because I don't trust the commissioners."
Rusty Deets and Jason Walker complained about the damage Cunningham is doing to the county with his political stunts, when his full attention needs to be focused on the damaged roof and record-level budget overruns at the Justice Center.
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In regard to emergency services, 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.
Jason Walker suggested that, when the county is considering the services of funeral homes, it would be prudent to determine if any of the companies under consideration are being investigated for failure to pay contractors and/or insurance fraud.
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Commissioners court entered into executive session at 11:56 a.m. and reconvened in regular session at 1:37 p.m. to announce an upcoming IT evaluation, as well as the decision to place the county elections administrator on exempt status. Typically, exempt employees are salaried professionals with specialized training who perform executive duties.
