Fannin County, Texas -- All five members of Fannin County Commissioners Court were present for a regular meeting held Tuesday, July 27, 2021. The meeting opened with an invocation by Rev. Josh Lott from Ivanhoe Baptist Church and pledges were led by Major James Manis (Ret.).
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In public forum, one person gave an opinion on COVID-19 and another person thanked the court for accepting statements via Zoom.
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With the addition of GA-38 (which rescinds all previous GA orders except GA-13), Fannin County Commissioners Court voted to extend 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.
The estimated number of active cases in Fannin County has doubled in the past week, climbing from 24 active cases last Monday, July 26 to an estimated 48 active cases this past Monday, August 2.
As of Monday afternoon, July 26, 2021, Fannin County had been notified of a total of 3,584 cases of COVID-19 since the onset of the pandemic. Fannin County has reported 109 fatalities related to the novel coronavirus.
Texas hospitals admitted another 711 lab-confirmed COVID-19 patients during the past 48 hours, as that alarming trend continues. Texas hospitals now have more than 7,300 lab-confirmed COVID-19 patients. The last time the state's healthcare system was treating that many COVID-19 patients was during the mid-February surge.
In Trauma Service Area E, the hospitalization rate has jumped to 11.44%, up from 2.21% just over two months ago.
Fannin County Judge Randy Moore advised residents that Fannin Pharmacy is providing no-cost vaccinations.
Everyone entering 336th District Court or Fannin County Court-At-Law must wear a mask.
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A brief discussion of the ongoing restoration of the 1888 Fannin County Courthouse included work by the masonry contractor on the south side, blocking for cornice at entrances, plaster work being completed on the third floor and moving down to second floor.
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Steve Long of North Texas Municipal Water District provided Fannin County Commissioners Court with an update regarding Bois d'Arc Lake.
Mr. Long said the lake is approximately 30% full, which will be enough to start treating water once the Leonard Water Treatment plant is completed in early 2022.
Water level was up to 516msl, but has now been discharged down to 510.5. No water is currently being discharged. Long said the decision may be made this fall to impound more water and raise the water level to 525.
Dam embankment elevation is up to 549.5; the elevation of the completed dam will be 553.5.
Work on the Lake Operations Center is running behind schedule, but could be ready for occupancy in September.
Resource Environmental Services has planted 4.8 million trees in mitigation land.
Hydrostatic testing of the raw water pipeline has been completed. The treated water pipeline that will carry water to Collin County is 50% complete.
Another 250,000 fingerlings have been stocked in the lake.
Following Mr. Long’s presentation Malinda Allison commented on the fact that there is no place for individuals or families to visit around the lake for picnics or for a family to throw a Frisbee, fly a kite, watch the sunset, watch the birds, see the sailboats, or take grandma out to see the lake. She asked: "Who could envision a lake that has no public areas for picnics? Is it too late for that to be provided?" and added, "Wasn’t it considered that Fannin County citizens might want to be able to visit the lake without actually owning lakefront property."
She also noted that all of Mr. Long’s photos of the lake were aerial photos and asked where a person could go to get a view of the lake, as this question is often asked by residents and visitors.
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Commissioners approved minutes from a special meeting July 6, 2021 and a regular meeting July 20, 2021.
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Fannin County Commissioners Court approved Hands Free Microfilm contract between Fannin County and Fidlar Technologies.
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Fannin County Commissioners Court approved a short plat for Sky View Subdivision; 8 lots between 1.00 and 1.76 acres on CR 1245 in Savoy, Texas.
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Fannin County Commissioners Court voted to close County Road 4510 in Whitewright, Texas; starting at Hwy 11 and going south 1,430’, from that location for 75’ to across the bridge and to rename the section from Hwy 11 going south 1,430’ to County Road 4511.
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Commissioners passed on an agenda item calling for the purchase a 2012 International Pro Star haul truck from Hess Transport for $10,000 for Precinct 1.
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Fannin County Commissioners Court voted to set a Public Hearing for September 14, 2021 at 8:50 a.m. to hear comments regarding a proposed speed limit of 30 mph on County Roads 2037 and 2038 in Ivanhoe, Texas.
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Commissioners passed on an agenda item regarding whether or not a culvert permit is required when a property owner is changing out the existing culvert or adding an extension to it. This will be back on the agenda for the next regular meeting of Fannin County Commissioners Court. When making plans to install, replace or modify a culvert, the first step is to notify your county commissioner.
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Fannin County Commissioners Court voted to move $35,850.74 from line 230-364-1630 (Income from Auction) to 230-623-5710 (Purchase of Equipment).
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Fannin County Commissioners Court authorized Fannin County Purchasing Agent Michelle Case to go out for bids for custodial services for Fannin County.
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Fannin County Commissioners Court passed on an agenda item calling for the county to abandon Right of Ways on Queener Street, Reed Street, North Street and any alleys located north of State Highway 11 (Railway) and east of Business 121 (Hall Street) of the Town of Randolph, Texas as shown on a recorded plat of record in Volume 32, Page 144.
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Fannin County Commissioners Court voted to move $2,518.30 from 100-370-1310 (Auto Insurance Loss payment) to 100-591-4540 (R & M Auto, Development Services); reimbursement check was received.
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Commissioners passed on an agenda item regarding the sale of Fannin County properties. A realtor had inquired about a parcel of land at the intersection of US 82 and FM 1396, however that land belongs to the state.
The county owns lots at Lake Crockett Estates, and 35 acres south of Ector.
Pct. 2 Commissioner A.J. Self suggested the county do research and assemble a list of properties not under contract.
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Fannin County Commissioners Court voted to allocate a portion of the CARES Act funding to the four precincts in Fannin County.
Fannin County received $900,000 from CARES Act funds and still has $650,000 to use at its discretion.
Judge Moore suggested that $120,000 be allocated to each precinct from CARES Act funds to be used to address the condition of county roads.
The county judge added that he would like to see the remainder of the CARES Act funds to be dispersed in near future.
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Commissioners voted to pay bills.