Fannin County, Texas -- Fannin County Judge Randy Moore presided over a regular meeting of Fannin County Commissioners Court held Tuesday, August 23, 2022, with commissioners Edwina Lane, A.J. Self and Jerry Magness present; Dean Lackey was absent.
The meeting opened with an invocation by Ronnie Ball, pastor of Sandy Creek Baptist Church, and pledges were led by Major James Manis (Ret.).
*****
In public forum, Newt Cunningham suggested that we stop arguing about our differences and start appreciating what we have consensus on.
Maj. James Manis told the court about the passing of a longtime civil servant, JW Walls, who had served several school districts.
A resident of Ladonia expressed concern that her land near Lake Ralph Hall may be zoned commercial against her wishes.
*****
Bonham Fire Chief Scott Ridling presented the EMS monthly report for July 2022.
Chief Ridling said July was the second busiest month of the year to date, with 435 calls to his department.
Ridling reported that local hospitals are nearing capacity or dealing with staffing issues, which results in longer transports.
*****
Fannin County Commissioners Court voted to extend the ban on outdoor burning.
Eleven volunteer fire department chiefs asked that the burn ban be extended for another week.
"There's no green forage yet, but it will come," Judge Moore predicted.
Moore also noted that low cloud cover prevents smoke from rising and dispersing, which can create difficulties for people with breathing issues
*****
Fannin County Commissioners Court approved an order agreeing to the alternative placement of wayfinding signs within the area of Bois d’Arc Lake by North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD).
These six signs will be located adjacent to county roads to help people locate boat docks.
Mr. Cunningham cautioned that putting the signs up before the lake is open could create confusion.
*****
Fannin County Commissioners Court approved minutes from a special meeting July 12, 2022.
*****
Fannin County Commissioners Court approved a one-time severance of 1 acre from a 22-acre tract on Hwy 56 in Savoy, Property ID# 75625.
*****
Fannin County Commissioners Court passed on an agenda item regarding renting a track skid steer for another month at $2,788.87 from Bobcat of North Texas for Precinct 1.
*****
The Office of Justice of the Peace Precinct 1 reported $8,153.00 collected for July 2022.
*****
Fannin County Commissioners Court voted to approve the lease with American Tower.
The current contract calls for payments of $1,064.66/month. Fannin County Purchasing Agent Shonda Magness read into the public record on August 16, 2022, that payments of $1,224.33 should begin on October 31, 2022. The checks for the tower will be cut to Fannin County on the first of each month.
The county attorneys have edited the contract and it is ready to be signed by American Tower.
*****
Fannin County Commissioners Court voted to accept the bid of $69,500 for a used dump truck for Precinct 4; bid #2022-702.
*****
Fannin County Commissioners Court passed on an agenda item regarding bids for a 2000 or newer dump truck for Precinct 3.
*****
Fannin County Commissioners Court voted to rescind the motion made on 08/16/2022 to go out for bids for a new John Deere 333G Skid Steer for Precinct 3.
*****
Fannin County Commissioners Court tabled an agenda item calling for the installation of a landline at the Sheriff’s office as an Emergency Management backup, with a $35 activation fee and monthly fee of $43.
Expect this agenda item to be revisited next week.
*****
Fannin County Commissioners Court voted to approve the Auditor monthly reports for July 2022.
*****
Fannin County Commissioners Court approved payment of bills.
*****
Fannin County Commissioners Court voted to postpone installation of exterior shutters on the courthouse until county representatives can discuss this with representatives of Texas Historical Commission on August 30.
*****
Fannin County Commissioners Court went into executive session at 9:49 a.m. to deliberate the purchase, exchange, lease, or value of real property where deliberation in an open meeting would have a detrimental effect on the position of the governmental body in negotiations with a third person – regarding county-owned property in City of Bonham.
*****
Fannin County Commissioners Court reconvened in regular session at 10:23 a.m. to announce no action was taken regarding county-owned property where the old county jail and adult probation was located.
The City of Bonham has expressed a desire to expand the downtown fire station and pave the remainder of the area where the old county jail was located one block east of the city square. Discussions regarding this partnership between the city and county will continue.
Judge Moore commended Commissioner Magness for clearing the property line behind the future site of the justice center. He also recommended that the concerned property owner in Ladonia who addressed the court in public forum should contact Di Hopkins, Fannin County Services Director, for advice.