Fannin County, Texas -- All five members of Fannin County Commissioners Court were present for a regular meeting held Tuesday, October 8, 2024.
The meeting opened with an invocation by Lee Jackson, pastor of Central Baptist Church in Bonham, and pledges were led by U.S. Marine veteran Andy Garner.
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Fannin County Judge Newt Cunningham introduced Melanie Grammar, Chair of the Fannin County Republican Party.
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In public forum, residents were advised that volunteers will be collecting donations during trades day for hurricane victims.
Another speaker informed the court about a program that promotes outdoor recreation.
A clean-up at Bettis Cemetery will be held Saturday, October 19.
Fannin County Clerk Jenny Garner said her office was open from 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. Monday for the final day of voter registration for the upcoming general election. Ms. Garner has generators available for back-up power, if needed, during the election. Early voting will be held at Roy V. Floyd Civic Center (Bonham Armory), located at 100 W. Fifth Street in Bonham.
Early voting hours
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Routine items
Fannin County Commissioners Court approved payment of bills totaling $1,130,960.84.
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Bonham Fire Chief Chris Hughes presented EMS reports for August and offered to email commissioners the report for September 2024.
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Commissioners court approved Auditor's Monthly Reports for August 2024.
August revenue was $15,408,205.67; expenses were $13,396,779.57.
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Commissioners court approved minutes from a regular meeting held July 1, 2024.
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Report of monies received by the County Clerk office for September 2024, all courts: $13,106.84, land records: $33,991.00, and approval of amendment to the August 2024 monies received report.
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Report of monies received by the District Clerk office for September 2024; $23,070.33.
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Report of monies received by Justice of the Peace Precinct 1 office for September 2024; $13,360.47.
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Report of monies received by Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 office for September 2024; $6,000.50.
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Report of monies received by Justice of the Peace Precinct 3 office for September 2024; $6,336.10.
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Discussion only items
Commissioners court passed on a discussion regarding termination of employee at the sheriff’s office.
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Commissioners court had a discussion regarding the Elections Supervisor and Elections Administrator positions.
The county doesn't have an Elections Administrator yet. The court's intention is to divide the duties of the Fannin County Clerk's office and the Fannin County Elections Department once an Elections Administrator is hired.
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Discussion, consideration and action items
A request by the county sheriff was apparently withdrawn when he left the meeting abruptly. The sheriff had wanted commissioners court to authorize the county auditor to move forfeiture funds from 560-103-1560 in the amount of $5,590.00 to 100-560-1040, Salaries Deputies, for certification pay for a deputy who was hired too late to receive the pay in this year’s budget.
Money in forfeiture account is under the jurisdiction of commissioners court and there was concern that, if forfeiture funds are depleted, it could negatively impact the department when Sheriff-elect Cody Shook takes over January 1, 2024.
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Commissioners court denied another request by the sheriff that would have authorized the county auditor to move forfeiture funds from 560-103-1560 in the amount of $1,000.00 to 560-560-4900, Miscellaneous, to purchase candy to hand out at Halloween.
The request doesn't meet one of the nine requirements to spend forfeiture funds.
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Commissioners court approved the Office of the Attorney General Maintenance Grant Contract through August 31, 2025 with regard to the Statewide Automated Victim Notification Service program (SAVNS).
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Commissioners court approved the fifth contract renewal term with Appriss Insights, LLC through August 31, 2025 with regards to the SAVNS program.
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Commissioners court approved going out for bid for a used Kenworth T880 Day Cab Truck, 2021 or newer, for Precinct 1.
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Commissioners court approved adding a $50.00 late fee to septic system maintenance contracts that are not renewed on time.
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Commissioners court approved the one-time severance of 4 acres from a 9-acre tract on CR 4642 in Trenton; Property ID# 91474.
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Commissioners court approved a plat amendment to TC Williams Addition on CR 4040 in Ector that will increase utility easement adjacent to County Road.
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Commissioners court voted to allow the current Precinct 3 administrative assistant to divide her work week between Precinct 3 and Precinct 1 with an increase in pay.
The administrative assistant will work 20 hours per week at each precinct at $20 an hour, starting on January 1.
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Commissioners court discussed enforcement of the County Ordinance regarding salvage/junkyards on CR 2620 in Lamasco and on Highway 34 in Ladonia.
Commissioners said they are trying to clean up "eyesores" in the community and one junkyard owner has ignored numerous citations.
The county has the authority to enforce ordinances regarding salvage/junkyards.
Local attorney Joe Moss told the court that the solution is simple -- issue a warrant for arrest.
"That is what I'm asking," Pct. 3 Commissioner Jerry Magness replied.
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Commissioners court approved the final plat from the City of Bonham for the Multipurpose Center addition on FM 87 in Bonham; Property ID# 72329.
Judge Cunningham noted that the 119 acres of county-owned land near the Multipurpose Complex does not have road frontage and only has limited easements, which significantly impacts the asking price.
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Commissioners court approved the contract proposal with Geotex Engineering for Construction Materials Testing Services for $37,000 at the Fannin County Justice Center.
Two companies submitted proposals, one for $37,000 and the other one was for $60,000.
Troy Waggoner asked for the Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) to be contractually obligated to guarantee taxpayers that no more costly surprises will pop up.
Kathy Whiteside asked what will happen if the testing discovers a serious issue.
Judge Cunningham explained that the contingency amount for the project, believed to be $400,000, would cover the cost.
Jason Walker asked if the testing involved indemnification of the county and was told no.
Commissioners court went into executive session at 10:42 a.m. to discuss the two bids and reconvened in regular session at 11:09 a.m.
Money for testing will come from the project construction fund.
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Commissioners court discussed the annual Fannin County Employee Christmas Party.
Judge Cunningham will appoint a person to be in charge of securing a facility and hiring a caterer. He also wants to make certain that retired employees are invited.
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Commissioners court voted to accept a check in the amount of $35,400.00 from 2911 Development, Dodd City Ranchettes, into Precinct 4 for upgrading of 2,175 feet of CR 2905 from dirt to gravel.
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Commissioners court passed on an agenda regarding the rental a Sheep’s Foot Roller from ASCO Equipment for one week for Precinct 4, max amount $2,500.00.
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Commissioners court passed on an agenda item that would have authorized the county judge to sign Acknowledgement of Texas Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for a vehicle grant for TMC Bonham hospital.
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Commissioners court passed on an agenda item regarding a contract from BEDCO to purchase 119 acres for sale by the county in order to allow attorneys to scrutinize details. The listing will remain active until the county accepts an offer.
BEDCO entered a bid of $1.6 million, with 100% financing from Government Capital Corporation, and a 60-day option period.
This agenda item should be back on the docket for the next regular meeting of commissioners court.
Cunningham said he believes that BEDCO is more likely to develop the property in a timely fashion than most other entities.
Open discussion items
Open discussion items will be passed on unless discussion requested by a member of the court or a citizen.
Courthouse repairs are underway and associated litigation continues. Some of the woodwork installed in the courthouse apparently already had termite damage when it was installed.
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In a brief discussion regarding the justice center, Kathy Whiteside asked it there is a contingency plan in place to pay for the justice center project if the sale of the 119 acres falls through.
Judge Cunningham said the county has several parcels of land than could be sold, including five acres of prime real estate for sale near Bois d'Arc Lake.
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In regard to the county budget and revenue sources, the county will be sending out notices in two weeks for entities who should be paying a Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) to the county.
There are at least 42 entities that will receive notices.
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In regard to Emergency Medical Services, the contract will Allegiance to provide EMS services went into effect October 1, 2024.
"We got through our first week and that's good news," remarked Judge Cunningham.
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Residents are reminded that the county is still under a burn ban.