Fannin County, Texas -- Fannin County Judge Newt Cunningham presided over a regular meeting of Fannin County Commissioners Court held Tuesday, August 27, 2024, with Pct. 1 Commissioner Dale McQueen, Pct. 3 Commissioner Jerry Magness and Pct 4 Commissioner Doug Kopf present; Pct. 2 Commissioner A.J. Self was absent. The meeting opened with an invocation by Julie Henson, pastor of First United Methodist Church in Bonham, and pledges were led by Major James Manis (Ret.).
*****
Judge Cunningham introduced Troy Waggoner, Pct. 1 Commissioner-elect, and Bill Roberts, Fannin County Democratic Party Chair.
***
In public forum, Sam Lumpkins, Executive Director of Bonham Area Chamber of Commerce, discussed the 2024 Autumn in Bonham bike rally rapidly approaching on October 5 and handed out maps to show commissioners how their precincts may be impacted. Ms. Lumpkins expects 300 riders and she wants to inform citizens so they can drive safely and restrain dogs that might harass riders.
336th District Judge Laurine Blake introduced the new Fannin County Purchasing Agent, Julie Criswell.
Judge Blake said Ms. Criswell was selected out of more than 50 applicants.
Judge Paul Ivy, JP Pct. 2, notified the court that he has opened up his offices in Leonard, and credited the hard work of Pct. 2 Commissioner A.J. Self.
Routine items:
Fannin County Commissioners Court approved bills totaling $140,473.01
*****
Commissioners court approved minutes from a regular meeting held June 4, 2024.
*****
Commissioners court approved the Treasurer’s Financial Report for July 2024, as well as the Treasurer’s Investment Report for July 2024.
"Our local sales tax revenue continues to be good," reported Fannin County Treasurer David Woodson.
Interest from Texpool accounts was slightly more than $71,000 for July.
*****
Discussion, consideration and action items
Commissioners court passed on an agenda item that would have authorized Fannin County Auditor Alicia Whipple to move $15,000.00 from line 100-560-1040, Deputies Salaries to 100-560-3300, Auto Expense Gas and Oil.
This identical agenda item was turned down last week because the county has a long-standing policy to never take money from salaries. In this case, the sheriff's office has money in other line items that could be transferred to resolve the deficiency in the Auto Expense Gas and Oil line item.
The sheriff was not present for the discussion.
*****
A vociferous debate broke out over the county's decision to market county-owned properties, in this instance the 120 acres west and north of the Multipurpose Complex.
The land has limited access because of the Union Pacific rail line on the south side, and a narrow slice on the west side owned by VPG.
"I would ask that we don't sell this property," recommended county resident Jason Walker, calling it a bad short-term decision to offset a spending problem.
"We are not supposed to invest in land," Judge Cunningham responded. "We are not in the investment game. We need to be debt free and we want to get the justice center finished fast."
The county was asking $12,500 per acre.
Walker questioned the land's market value when FM 87 that runs along the west side of the property may eventually be a loop around Bonham and he gave the impression that he would be willing to buy the land for that asking price.
"Cut budgets -- don't sell land to offset a spending problem," Walker suggested.
"I know that you are opposed to the justice center," Judge Cunningham retorted.
Walker countered that he was not opposed to the justice center, but he wants to see it built for the original amount of $11 million that was promised.
Another county resident, Wes Davis, asked, "Don't you have a lot of property for sale?"
Cunningham said the county owns several parcels and is in the process of deciding which parcels to sell.
A third county resident, Kathy Whiteside, added her voice to the chorus that feels the land is being underbid at $12,500.
"That is a ridiculous price, Judge," Ms. Whiteside remarked. "Raw land is very hard to come by and $12,500 is too, too cheap."
"I'm going to rely on real estate experts and own experience," Cunningham answered.
County resident Jim Prescott asked why that every time Jason Walker gives an opinion, it seems to elicit a fiery response.
"He has offered to buy it right now for $12,500 an acre," Mr. Prescott told the court.
Cunningham noted that delays at the justice center could drive up the construction price by millions of dollars.
Bonham resident Rusty Deets reminded Cunningham that the county judge had originally stated that he wanted all county employees in the justice center, before deciding to cut costs by leaving the Tag Office and Juvenile Probation in the south annex.
"Would it not make more sense to complete the justice center for all county employees, and then sell the south annex to finish paying for the justice center?" Mr. Deets asked.
Jim Jarvis, a resident of western Fannin County, said that while everybody has an opinion, the situation demands proper decorum.
"We need to do what we think is best for the county," Mr. Jarvis added.
The general census of the court was that, based limited access, the county's asking price seems reasonable.
Commissioners court voted 4-0 to market 120 acres at $13,500 and to receive offers for 30 days.
*****
Commissioners court approved releasing the bond for The Peninsula and The Shores at the Peninsula as road work is complete.
*****
Commissioners court approved county judge to sign annual required Cybersecurity Training through Texas Association of Counties (TAC).
*****
Commissioners court passed on an TAC County Information Resources Agency (CIRA) services agreement for website hosting.
*****
Commissioners court approved the Fannin County Comprehensive Fund Balance Policy for Fiscal Year 2025.
The county is expected to retain 25% of its annual budget in reserve to protect against emergencies.
*****
Commissioners court approved the Fannin County Investment Policy for Fiscal Year 2025.
*****
Commissioners court approved moving $20,000.00 from Contingency to Autopsies (100-425-4660).
*****
Commissioners court approved moving $6,500.00 from Contingency to Petit Jury Expense (100-425-3140).
*****
Commissioners court approved moving $2,700.00 from Contingency to Overtime (100-500-1504) for Facilities Coordinator.
*****
Commissioners court approved having Fannin County Judge Newt Cunningham sign the Texas Association of Counties (TAC) Liability Renewal Questionnaire for 2024-2025.
*****
Commissioners court approved Fannin County Judge Newt Cunningham to sign annual required Cybersecurity Training through Texas Association of Counties (TAC).
*****
Commissioners Court passed on an agenda item regarding Section 1B-8, Political Activity, of the Fannin County Employee Handbook which requires certain employees to resign prior to running for public office.
Bill Roberts quoted section 3.09 of the Fannin County Personnel Policy:
In the event that an employee chooses to run against an incumbent for an elected position in the office for which they work, they must resign at the time they file for any primary election, the date of filing of a write-in petition, or at the time they are nominated for the sought after elected position, whichever comes first.
"I can't think of another job where you have to resign in order to run for an office to serve the public," Mr. Roberts remarked.
Jason Walker noted that some private businesses require employees to resign in order to run for office and suggested that the county policy should be modified to differentiate between appointees and duly elected incumbents.
The county's legal team will tweak the language in the policy and commissioners court revisit this issue.
*****
Open discussion items
Open discussion items will be passed on unless discussion requested by a member of the Court or a Citizen.
Regarding courthouse repairs and litigation, Judge Cunningham said he is continuing to work through the process of getting repairs done, while the county's legal team develops facts, and considers Rule 202 depositions and possible lawsuits.
*****
In regard to the county budget and revenue sources, Cunningham said he is extremely disappointed that, in light of spending $28,000 to set up a countywide version of the Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) after being promising the county would reap $100,000 annually, the vendor has failed to produce revenue. Cunningham suggested it might be possible for the county treasurer to take over this additional responsibility.
*****
In regard to Emergency Medical Services, Cunningham said he will double-check on progress with dispatch, and there was some discussion regarding having Fannin County's name on the ambulances.
County resident Keith Whiteside asked about finalizing the locations of the ambulances and he wants the mutual aid agreement available for public viewing.
Mr. Whiteside was informed the mutual aid agreement will be posted on the county website.
Allegiance Mobile Health is considering ambulance locations in Honey Grove, Leonard and west of Bonham, possibly Ector.
Cunningham said that if the demand warrants, Allegiance promises to bring in more ambulances.
Executive session(s) and action if needed:
Fannin County Commissioners Court entered into executive session at 10:54 a.m. to consult with their attorney, and to discuss personnel issues.
*****
No action was taken in executive session.