Fannin County, Texas -- Fannin County Judge Newt Cunningham presided over a regular meeting of Fannin County Commissioners Court held Tuesday, October 24, 2023, with commissioners Dale McQueen, Jerry Magness and Doug Kopf present; A.J. Self was absent.
The meeting opened with an invocation by Judge Cunningham and pledges were led by Commissioner Magness.
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In public forum, Sarah Richardson complemented an employee in the county's land records department.
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Bonham Fire Chief, Scott Ridling, presented the EMS report for September 2023.
Chief Ridling said his department averaged 410 calls monthly last year, including 13 1/2 ambulance calls per day.
Ridling told the court that he will be picking up a new ambulance Thursday, but he still waiting on the department's second new ambulance that has been on order.
Due to manufacturing issues that delayed delivery of new ambulances, a couple of the department's ambulances have close to 400,000 miles.
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Fannin County Commissioners Court approved payment of the bills totaling $594,993.16.
Fannin County Auditor Alicia Whipple cautioned that this is typically a period of low cash flow which forced the county to move $700,000 out of reserves and back into operations to pay bills.
Current reserves are 37% of the county's annual budget.
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Fannin County Commissioners Court approved minutes from a special meeting held October 17, 2023.
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Fannin County Commissioners Court approved a resolution certifying that (a) the county gave $2,240.75 to Tri-County Senior Nutrition Project, DBA Meals on Wheels Texoma, for fiscal year 2023/2024, (b) home-delivered meals are provided to the elderly and/or disabled through Tri-County and (c) Tri-County’s accounting system meets the financial management system requirements as set forth in the Texas Grant Management Standards.
Greg Pittman, Chief Accounting Officer Tri-County, explained that every year Tri-County Senior Nutrition Project requires each of the counties to contribute matching a grant of at least 25 cents per capita in order to draw down a significant grant from the state.
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Fannin County Commissioners Court followed the recommendation of the county's fire chiefs and voted to extend the countywide ban on outdoor burning.
Tickets were issued for illegal burning last week.
It is possible to burn if the sheriff's office is notified and a fire department is given a donation to be on site.
FANNIN COUNTY
ORDER FOR PROHIBITION OF
OUTDOOR BURNING
WHEREAS, in accordance with provision of Section 352.081 of the Texas Local Government Code, the Fannin County Commissioners Court has found that circumstances present in all or part of the unincorporated area of Fannin County create a public safety hazard that would be exacerbated by outdoor burning; and
WHEREAS, a finding of such public safety hazard authorizes the imposition of controls on activities which tend to increase the likelihood of such fires;
BE IT THEREFORE ORDERED that the following regulations are hereby established for all unincorporated areas of Fannin County, Texas for the duration of this Order:
(1) Actions Prohibited:
A person violates this Order if the person burns any combustible material (including burn barrels for trash) or orders such burning by others.
(2) Exceptions:
This Order does not apply to outdoor burning activities related to public health and safety that are authorized by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for (1) firefighter training, (2) public utility, natural gas pipeline, or mining operations, (3) burns that are conducted by a prescribed burn manager certified under Section 153.048, Natural Resources Code, and meet the standards of Section 153.047, Natural Resources Code. (4) This Order also does not apply to any burns that are conducted in accordance with a plan that has been approved by the natural Resources Conservation Service or by the directors of the Fannin Soil & Water Conservation District. (5) US-Forest Service employees with RXB2 Burn authority for Caddo Grasslands only. (6) Welding, including cutting and grinding with the following restrictions: areas 10 ft. radius altered with the fire retardant or non-combustible material, fire fighting capability of 100 gallons of water, fire watch with cell phone, winds less than 20 mph, call into the County Judge or Commissioner AND Local Fire Department (closest to work location), to provide work location address before work begins. (7) NTMWD may burn within the permanent water area of the Bois d’ Arc Lake with advanced notice to the Sheriff’s office, local fire department(s) for that area and the Emergency Management Office before work begins (8) UTRWD may burn within the permanent water area of Lake Ralph Hall with advanced notice to the Sheriff’s office, local fire department(s) for that area and the Emergency Management Office before work begins.
Sheriff: 903-583-2143
Emergency Management: 903-640-6464
County Judge: 903-583-7455
(3) Enforcement:
(a) Upon notification of suspected outdoor burning, the fire department assigned to the location of the fire shall respond to the scene and take immediate measures to contain and/or extinguish the fire.
(b) As soon as possible, a duly-commissioned peace officer shall be sent to the scene to investigate the nature of the fire.
(c) This Order may be enforced in accordance with section 352.081 of the Texas Local Government Code. An offense based on a violation of this Order is a Class C misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $500.00.
(4) Duration:
This order shall remain in effect from the effective and extended dates listed below, and shall continue upon determination by the Commissioners Court, either by its own action, or through the County Judge as its authorized agent, in which the circumstances referred to herein no longer exist, whichever is earlier.
APPROVED this 8th day of August, 2023 in Regular Session of Commissioners Court.
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Fannin County Commissioners Court approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Texoma Council of Governments (TCOG) for Homeland Security Grant Division (HSGD) equipment.
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Fannin County Commissioners Court approved the updated Fannin County Employee Handbook.
PTO policy was added, as well as a return-to-work policy.
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Fannin County Commissioners Court approved the one-time severance of 1.292 acres from a 10.49-acre tract on CR 1445 in Bonham, Property ID# 78235.
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Fannin County Commissioners Court approved the Preliminary Plat for Orduna Addition #2, Phase 2; 24 lots on 30 acres on CR 4875 in Leonard, Property ID# 80338.
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Fannin County Commissioners Court approved the one bid received for a used John Deere motor grader for Precinct 2 for $180,000.
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Fannin County Commissioners Court approved surplus items in all precincts to be placed for sale with Auctioneer Express.
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Fannin County Commissioners Court reappointed Monica Kissling to the Fannin County Hospital Authority Board, Director #6, for a three-year term; 10/25/2023 to 10/25/2026
Discussion items
In a discussion regarding regulations for sexually oriented businesses in Fannin County, Judge Cunningham noted that a rough draft of the ordinance is now on the Fannin County website.
Regulations for Short Term Rental Communities in Fannin County, including RV Parks, is being formulated and is expected to be on the county website within days.
Open discussion items
In regard to courthouse repairs, Judge Cunningham said electricians are currently working in the attic to replace junction boxes and will work their way down in the building.
Cunningham expects to meet with contractors responsible for doors and moulding next week.
Executive session
Fannin County Commissioners Court went into executive session at 9:58 a.m. to consult with their attorney, and to discuss personnel issues.
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Fannin County Commissioners Court reconvened in regular session and voted to employ an Environmental Consultant.