Bonham -- Thirty days.
After kicking this topic around for a decade, the City of Bonham is giving Fannin County one month to come up with an affordable and acceptable plan for a countywide animal control shelter.
The City of Bonham has preliminary architectural plans in hand and, thanks to a donation by the late Linda Kirkpatrick, $50,000 to build a facility large enough to take care of the needs of city residents.
"If we can't do this in concert with the county, I'm ready to pull the string here," stated Bonham City Council member Wayne Moore. "We have talked this to death."
Discussions between the City of Bonham and Fannin County have been a confusing and convoluted affair that finally fell apart when Fannin County officials announced a possible animal control partnership with Grayson County, a strange turn of events that no one now seems to think would be in the best interest of Fannin County.
"We have never managed to work anything out with the county," said Bonham Mayor Roy Floyd. "We are ready to do something and now it appears we are going to do it without them."
At a previous Bonham City Council meeting, Bonham Police Chief Mike Bankston was authorized to research the design and cost of a new animal control facility dedicated to the city. At the regular meeting Monday evening, Chief Bankston showed plans for an insulated 961-sq.-foot building with heating, air conditioning and an exhaust fan. The facility could house up to 40 animals. The plans showed eight dog runs, all eight feet by 32 inches. Initial plans call for the dog runs to be constructed of concrete blocks 36 inches high and then chain link fence up to the ceiling.
“It would serve our needs,” Bankston stated. “It would serve the needs of the citizens of Bonham, but, of course, it wouldn’t be large enough for all of Fannin County. These plans are all contingent on what if costs and what you approve.
Preliminary estimates of the cost range between $50,000 and $53,000.
“This is actually good,” remarked Thoa Allen, a strong advocate of a countywide solution to animal control, as she stepped to the podium. I commend you.”
Rusty Deets echoed those sentiments.
“I think Mr. Bankston should be commended for what he has done,” added Deets. “It looks good to me.”
Mrs. Allen and her husband, Bob, have been major contributors to a fund that would pay for construction of a countywide animal control facility should the county decide to accept responsibility to operate and maintain the facility.
Allen made an impassioned plea for a comprehensive solution to this issue that involved an agreement and some level of partnership between the City of Bonham and Fannin County.
Bonham City Council agreed to give Fannin County officials 30 days to come up with a plan that would be acceptable to both parties.
The answer will most likely come in less than 30 days.
Fannin County Commissioners are expected to announce their final decision regarding a countywide animal control facility at the next regular meeting May 23.
The Bonham City Council passed a resolution designating the official paper of record for the city. With the recent purchase of the former official paper of record, the Fannin County Special, by the Bonham Leader, Mayor Floyd said the agreement would remain intact as long as Fannin County Special appears in the masthead of the recently formed Leader. A bill was introduced into the Texas House this session that would have allowed cities and counties to publish legal notices on the respective websites of cities and counties, an idea that would save taxpayers in most counties tens of thousands of dollars. In addition to saving tax dollars, this innovative approach would also give contractors easier access to information.
Bonham City Council also discussed the possibility of naming a section of First Street after Charlie Christian, a Bonham native credited with devising the first amplified lead guitar set-up. A phenomenal jazz guitarist and member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Christian is best known for his work with the Benny Goodman Sextet. The resolution was tabled for further study.
Bonham City Council awarded a bid for a meter installation project to Vanguard Utility Service, the low bidder, contingent upon TWDB approval.
An ordinance was passed conveying city-owned property at 819 Evans Street for a bid of $1,250.
In other business, Lori Clayton was re-appointed as city representative to Texoma Housing Partners Housing Authority Board of Directors.
Bonham City Manager Corby Alexander also relayed information regarding a phone call he received from council member Joe. W. Clark. Although this falls short of being an official letter of resignation, Alexander said Clark has expectations of transferring to a different location. Clark is being challenged in the current election by Michael S. Evans. An ensuing discussion determined that, should Clark win re-election, Bonham City Council would vote to select a replacement who would most likely serve until the next General Election in November.