Concerns about road conditions and maintenance in Fannin County have sparked ongoing debate, with frequent complaints from residents and even a “Worst County Road” contest in one local newspaper. Aside from a recent discussion of a long-term county thoroughfare study, the Fannin County Commissioners Court has shown little interest in addressing the road issues that confront residents every day, often avoiding public engagement and refusing to consider alternative road systems. The lack of discussion and action suggests that Commissioners view the current system as “good enough” for residents of Fannin County.

Transparent decision-making is important, yet County Commissioners have neither examined the county’s roads objectively nor sought public input or expert advice. In response, some community members including me are organizing a petition for the November 2026 ballot, which would let voters decide whether to replace the current Commissioner-led precinct road system with a professionally managed County Road Department that reports to the Commissioners Court.

Much of the conversation around county-maintained roads is based on opinion rather than reliable data, leaving key questions unanswered: How do Fannin’s roads compare to those in similar counties? Can improvements be made? What would alternative road systems cost? Are there efficiencies to be found in a single county-wide Road Department? How would Fannin County transition from its current road system to a future professionally managed one?

Texas law offers four road maintenance systems, but switching to a County Road Department requires voter approval.  Both the community and Commissioners should welcome the chance for open discussion over the next nine months. A ballot measure approving a County Road Department qualified for the ballot late this year, leaves open that possibility to residents of Fannin County even as we consider all options. It allows all of us time to consider our roads and road maintenance system while leaving all possible options on the table until we can make an informed decision.

The Commissioners Court can lead the way in this discussion by organizing evening events open the public aimed at four tasks:

1.    Define what residents want in their county roads and gather comprehensive data.  This discussion needs to focus not only on major thoroughfares like US Highway 82 or State Highway 121, but your local County Road that you drive every day.  Are we all satisfied with the quality of the roads we must navigate to and from our homes and businesses? 

2.    Identify necessary steps and costs to achieve that goal, invite expert opinions.  This phase must examine costs associated with each of the road system options available to Fannin County.  We should invite knowledgeable roadway experts to inform the Commissioners Court and public regarding road construction and maintenance.  We should also invite input from leaders in other Texas counties that utilize all four authorized road systems to provide information on their programs.

3.    Weigh all options publicly, consider benefits and costs based on facts and reliable information. In this all-important phase, the Commissioners should engage in an open discussion regarding the information they have collected.  The public must be given the opportunity to provide input on all available choices to the County Commissioners Court.

4.    Report a clear goal and recommendation for a road system to residents. Finally, the Commissioners Court should offer its view on the way forward for Fannin County. Should the county maintain its precinct road system or move on to something else. Residents can then choose whether they agree with the Commissioners Court or want to move to a different system.