Although the Fannin Central Appraisal District Board of Directors approved the proposed 2022 budget during a public hearing held Friday, June 11, 2021, Texas property code 6.06 states that a majority of the taxing units entitled to vote in the selection of the Board of Directors have the authority to veto the appraisal district's budget and any other action of the board of directors.

That means it would require at least 14 taxing units to pass a resolution of disapproval regarding Fannin Central Appraisal District's proposed 2022 budget in order to veto the budget and compel the appraisal district board of directors to modify the 2022 budget.

Fannin Central Appraisal District Board of Directors are Claude Caffee (chair), Jerry Magness (vice chair), Richard Glaser, Randall Blake and James Watson.

From 2017-2021, the annual amount budgeted for salaries at the appraisal district has grown from $664,020.48 in 2017 to $1,104,500 in 2021, which equates to an increase of slightly more that 66%. Fannin Central Appraisal District added five employees during those five years.

By comparison, salaries at the City of Bonham increased less than 15% during that same time span from 2017-2021 and the city added two employees.

Fannin Central Appraisal District is responsible for fair-market appraisals of properties within these 26 taxing entities:

Cities: Bailey, Bonham, Dodd City, Ector, Honey Grove, Ladonia, Leonard, Pecan Gap, Savoy, Whitewright and Windom

School districts: Bonham ISD, Dodd City ISD, Ector ISD, Honey Grove ISD, Fannindel ISD, Leonard ISD, Savoy ISD, Trenton ISD, Whitewright ISD, Wolfe City ISD, Blue Ridge ISD and North Lamar ISD

County: Fannin County

During a special called meeting of Bonham City Council held Monday, June 28, councilmembers voted 5-1 in favor of a resolution of disapproval of the Fannin Central Appraisal District's proposed 2022 budget.

(L-R) David Odom (Ward 1), Timothy La Vergne (Ward 2), Michael Evans (at-large), H.L. Compton (Mayor), Bonham City Manager Sean Pate, Kevin Hayes (Ward 5) and Wayne Moore (Ward 3). Bill Chapman (Ward 4) was absent.

Bonham Mayor H.L. Compton and councilmembers David Odom, Timothy La Vergne, Kevin Hayes and Wayne Moore voted to disapprove the budget.

"I have to consider what people who voted for me are saying," said Mr. Hayes, the mayor pro tem, adding that feedback from constituents was solidly opposed to the appraisal district's proposed budget.

Even the one councilmember who cast the dissenting vote, Michael Evans, noted that significant salary increases for the Chief Appraiser and the Deputy Appraiser were "very bad optics."

At the Bonham ISD Board of Trustees regular meeting Monday, June 28, the board unanimously voted in favor of a resolution of disapproval of the Fannin Central Appraisal District's proposed 2022 budget.

(L-R) Myles Galyon (Place 2), Sean Floyd (Secretary, Place 3), Carlous Gilstrap (Place 6), Bonham ISD Superintendent of Schools Kelly Trompler, Chance Roberts (President, Place 1), Jason Fox (Vice-President, Place 4), LaTonia Arris (Place 5) and Jeri Lea Johnson (Place 7)

This agenda item will likely be discussed by county commissioners, local cities and school districts during July.