Fannin County, Texas -- All five members of Fannin County Commissioners Court were present for a regular meeting held Tuesday, August 25, 2020.

The meeting opened with an invocation by Rev. Shawn Bronson of Christian Chapel CME in Honey Grove, Texas and pledges were led by Major James Manis (Ret.).

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Beth Purcell, a representative of Texas Senator Bob Hall, attended the regular meeting.

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In public forum, Keith Whiteside, an applicant for one of the two part-time positions being considered for the county's Emergency Management Coordinator, asked commissioners to reconsider hiring two part-time Emergency Management Coordinators.

Bill Roberts complimented Fannin County Clerk Tammy Biggar for her hard work and spoke in favor of purchasing new voting machines.

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Fannin County Commissioners Court extended by one week the Fannin County Declaration of Disaster Proclamation for Covid-19, as well as the Covid-19 Response and Continuity of Operations Plan for Fannin County.

"I think we need to keep our order in place, just as it is," Fannin County Judge Randy Moore remarked.

Judge Moore said that as of 4:00 p.m. Monday, August 24, Fannin County has been notified of a total of 388 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with 337 total recoveries and 10 fatalities related to COVID-19. At that time, the county had 39 active cases. However, Judge Moore was notified that, after tests were conducted last weekend, the two local state prisons had a combined 183 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus, with 56 recoveries, three active cases with employees, 1,061 in medical isolation and the prisons are under lockdown

"Our numbers are not corresponding with daily data releases by DSHS," the county judge added. 

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Fannin County Commissioners Court approved a Proclamation honoring Debra Roberts for her years of service.

Judge Moore stressed the importance of choosing wisely how to spend the precious moments of life.

"Debra, you have chosen wisely," Moore stated, adding his appreciation for a job well done. "Debra, we hate to see you go."

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Commissioners approved minutes from a special meeting August 18, 2020.

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Bonham Fire Chief presented the EMS Profit and Loss Report for July 2020.

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Commissioners observed an order signed by 336th Judicial District Judge Laurine Blake to set the salary of the County Auditor to $73,258.37 for budget year 2020-2021.

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Commissioners observed an order signed by 336th Judicial District Judge Laurine Blake to set the salary of the County Auditor Assistant to $50,442.00 for budget year 2020-2021.

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Fannin County Commissioners Court voted to purchase the HART Intercivic voting system.

Pct. 4 Commissioner Dean Lackey moved to approve the $559,345 expenditure, with additional monies to include five booths if they can finance them in with the payment.

Noting the assistance of a $120,000 grant to help pay for the voting system, Fannin County Commissioners Court unanimously approved the purchase.

This coming fiscal year, the county will use the grant of $120,000 plus the county clerk's Fund 48 Election Equipment to meet the match required of $16,000, explained Fannin County Clerk Tammy Biggar.

That would have made the county's annual payment $105,836.25, starting next fiscal year.

However, since commissioners approved an additional five voting booths, the annual payment will be higher.  The booths are $3,950, so five would cost $19,750.  With that amount divided into the four payments, that would bring the total annual payment to approximately $110,773.75.

Fred Wilson, a county election judge, spoke of the deteriorating condition of current equipment and said new equipment is needed for this election. Eight cities and schools will also be holding elections during the presidential election in November.

Ms. Biggar pointed out that the soonest the new equipment could be used would be the school election in May 2021 and she stressed the need to purchase a high-speed scanner, which would cost an additional $59,000.

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Commissioners tabled a Short Plat (7 Lots) for Star Fire Ranch; a 17.646- acre tract on East FM 1396 and CR 2625 in Ivanhoe, Texas with no new roads to be built.

Commissioners suggested having the subdivision committee discuss how best to address this development and it will likely be back on agenda next week.

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Fannin County Commissioners Court tabled until September 8, 2020 a Request for Waiver of Requirement of Sec. 3.2.16 of the Fannin County Subdivision Regulations, minimum lot size per the Fannin County On-Site Sewage Facility Regulations, on Hwy 121 and FM 896 in Randolph, Texas.

The owner has 3.99 acres and requested that it be divided into four lots, with two lots having less than the county's one-acre requirement for individual septic systems.

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Fannin County Commissioners Court approved a public hearing on September 8, 2020 at 8:45 a.m. to hear comments regarding the adoption of an Order to implement Minimum Infrastructure Standards for Manufactured Home Rental Communities.

"Around these lakes, we have to have something to put into place," Judge Moore remarked.

County representatives will check with legal counsel and Texas Association of Counties (TAC).

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Commissioners approved the Lake Fannin Operating Plan for 2020/2021. The plan, which is identical to last year's plan, has been reviewed by the Forest Service, which requires annual approval of operating plan.

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Fannin County Commissioners Court approved the Office of the Attorney General Maintenance Grant Contract through August 31, 2021 with regard to the VINE (Victim Information and Notification Everyday) program.

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Fannin County Commissioners Court approved renewal of TAC Risk Management Pool’s Liability Programs (Auto Liability and Physical Damage, Law Enforcement, Public Officials and General Liability) for December 11, 2020 through December 11, 2021.

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Commissioners approved the payment of bills.

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Fannin County Commissioners Court entered into executive session at 10:15 a.m. to discuss the City of Bonham EMS contract.

Commissioners Court reconvened in regular session at 10:45 a.m.

Pct. 2 Commissioner A.J. Self made a motion to submit a Letter of Intent regarding housing of EMS to the City of Leonard.

Fannin County Commissioners Court unanimously approved the motion.

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In the segment of the meeting reserved for comments by commissioners and the county judge, Pct. 1 Commissioners Gary Whitlock discussed the condition of weeds on a dirt road leading to a to a cemetery in his precinct.

"We will try to get it mowed today," Commissioner Whitlock stated, "but we will not be putting rock on a dirt road."

Whitlock asked people to contact him at 903-227-1001 rather than posting something on Facebook that he may never see.

Pct. 2 Commissioner A.J. Self said he enjoyed the very positive discussions during the regular meeting and he congratulated Fannin County Clerk Tammy Biggar on the future acquisition of a new voting system.

Pct. 4 Commissioner Dean Lackey said he is glad the county invested in new voting machines and said lots of work is being done as Bois d'Arc Lake begins to take shape.

Fannin County Judge Randy Moore reminded residents that Lake Fannin Volunteers are raising money to repair the roof on the historic lodge at Lake Fannin. Judge Moore suggested contacting Alicia Whipple or Gabe Parker to donate.

Moore recalled a pleasant visit with constituents in the Leonard area.

He said county officials have looked at several buildings, including the old Brookshire's building, that could be used to house county employees.

Commissioners recently got an update on Bois d'Arc Lake from North Texas Municipal Water District and another update is scheduled for next week in commissioners court.