Fannin County, Texas -- Fannin County Commissioners Court voted unanimously to designate $500,000 from American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to each of the four county precincts to improve county roads. The county initially received $6.8 million of ARPA funds and, after COVID-19 expenditures, still has approximately $4 million in the county coffers.

While the sentiment of many in the audience Tuesday morning seemed to be improving roads vs. carrying out plans for a justice center, the court expressed its intent to do both by sticking to the budget for the justice center and then spending remaining funds to help all four precincts take better care of county roads.

Although the county is still reviewing proposals for a Construction Manager at Risk to oversee the justice center project, the current estimate for the cost of renovating the former Brookshire's building into a justice center is $11 million, with $2 million of that already going to purchase the property. If the justice center comes in on budget, that could leave as much as $4 million of the ARPA funds to improve roads. 

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All five members of Fannin County Commissioners Court were present for the regular meeting on Tuesday, December 20, 2022. The meeting opened with an invocation by Cody Austin, youth pastor at Boyd Baptist Church, and pledges were led by Rebecca Figueroa.

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Bonham Fire Chief Scott Ridling presented the EMS monthly report for November 2022.

Chief Ridling reported a busy month, with his department responding to 414 calls and transporting 318 patients.

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Fannin County Commissioners Court approved minutes from regular meetings held August 23, 2022, September 13, 2022, September 20, 2022 and December 13, 2022.

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The Office of Fannin County District Clerk reported $21,172.54 collected in November 2022.

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By a 4-1 vote, Fannin County Commissioners Court approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Fannin County and City of Bonham regarding property located at 407/411 Chestnut Street in Bonham.

Commissioners Edwina Lane, A.J. Self, Jerry Magness and Dean Lackey voted in favor of the MOU, with Fannin County Judge Randy Moore casting a vote in opposition.

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Fannin County Commissioners Court discussed salaries of employees in the district attorney's office.

Fannin County Auditor Alicia Whipple noted that the money is in the DA budget that was adopted by Fannin County Commissioners Court and the DA has the right to use it. 

Judge Moore added that the DA office came in under budget last year.

"That's right, and I will come in under budget this year," Mr. Glaser promised.

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Fannin County Commissioners Court appointed Edwina Lane to replace Pct. 4 Commissioner Dean Lackey on the T.A.P.S. Board.

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Fannin County Commissioners Court appointed incoming Pct. 4 Commissioner Doug Kopf to replace Pct. 4 Commissioner Dean Lackey on the Tri-County Meals on Wheels Board.

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Fannin County Commissioners Court passed on an agenda item regarding the Fannin County Rural Rail Board.

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Fannin County Commissioners Court approved payment of bills.

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Fannin County Commissioners Court approved a due date of December 21, 2022 for commissioners court agenda items for the regular meeting January 3, 2023.

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Commissioner Lane said that the bridge on CR 1241 closed for repairs.

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Commissioner Self said it was awesome to see communities work together during the recent weather event.