Fannin County, Texas -- All five members of Fannin County Commissioners Court were present for a regular meeting held Tuesday, April 19, 2022. The meeting opened with an invocation by Jannie Bellows and pledges were led by Fannin County Judge Randy Moore.
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A brief update of the restoration of the 1888 Fannin County Courthouse included:
- Furniture installed
- Woodwork continues
- Doing a walk-through Tuesday, April 19, 2022
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Fannin County Commissioners Court voted to adopt 2022 Local Option Property Tax Code Exemption(s) for Fannin County.
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Fannin County Commissioners Court passed on an agenda item calling for the approval of an order renewing Whitewright Solar, LLC Reinvestment Zone for five years with the renewal date beginning on April 16, 2021.
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Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2 reported $487.50 collected for January 2022, $486 collected in February 2022 and $831 collected in March 2022.
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Fannin County Commissioners Court approved Auditor monthly reports for March 2022.
Fannin County Auditor Alicia Whipple reported that all county departments are running at approximately 50% of their annual budget.
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Fannin County Commissioners Court approved payment of bills.
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Fannin County Commissioners Court voted to adopt an approximately one mile length of roadway, Hidden Meadow Trail, Hidden Meadow Subdivision, on CR 4921, CR 4922 and CR 4923 in Leonard.
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Fannin County Commissioners Court voted to approve a preliminary plat: Leonard Addition, 8 lots between 1.00-1.04 acres located between 575 and 635 CR 4850 in Leonard.
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Fannin County Commissioners Court voted to lease a Belly Dump Trailer for Precinct 2 at $500 per month for six months.
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Fannin County Commissioners Court held a discussion regarding moving in to the Fannin County Courthouse.
Employees should be able to move back in to the courthouse by May 8, 2022.
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Fannin County Commissioners Court went into executive session at 9:22 a.m. to deliberate property for a justice center.
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Fannin County Commissioners Court also held an executive session to deliberate courthouse construction contracts.
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Fannin County Commissioners Court reconvened in regular session at 11:18 a.m. to announce that Fannin County is entering into a contract with Bonham Walmart Inc. to purchase the buildings located at 2221 North Center Street in Bonham, 2223 North Center Street in Bonham and 2225 North Center Street in Bonham as the site for a justice center and other county offices.
The purchase cost was not mentioned in regular session.
The county has 60 days to examine the contract and can "step out" at any time.
Judge Moore thanked Richard Glaser and Newt Cunningham for their assistance during negotiations.
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Following the second executive session, Fannin County Commissioners Court voted to pay $438,422.06 for courthouse furniture, construction of the courthouse parking lot and internet, with funds coming from ARP (American Rescue Plan).
"Those were items not in our original bond," explained Judge Moore.
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Regarding home appraisals going out now in the mail, Pct. 4 Commissioner Dean Lackey remarked, "Hold on to your britches because prices are going crazy."
Pct. 1 Commissioner Edwina Lane said there will be workdays at Lake Fannin this Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until noon and then again on Sunday from noon until 4:00 p.m.
Commissioner Lane also reminded residents of TCOG's Household Hazardous Waste Collection event on April 30 from 8:00 a.m. until noon. This event is by appointment only, so go to the TCOG website to register.
Judge Moore discussed the recent meeting regarding a VA proposal to relocate part of the Bonham VA to facilities in the metroplex.
"We do not want to lose any portion of the VA facility here," Moore stated.
He advised residents to write letters to the editor and start petitions.
"I am really glad that we are moving towards a criminal justice center that I think will be a tremendous benefit for our county at a reasonable price," the county judge said in closing.