Bonham approves co-responder agreement, adopts fire-apparatus budget amendment and begins discussion on field rental fees

The Bonham City Council unanimously approved an interlocal agreement on Feb. 9 with the Texoma Community Center to establish a co-responder program aimed at pairing social‑service responders with law enforcement on mental‑health calls.

Police Chief Andrew Hawkes described the program’s purpose as providing options and resources to address mental‑health situations without relying solely on law enforcement, and the Council approved the agreement on a Hayes motion, seconded by Smith.

Separately, the council adopted a budget amendment to replace a fire apparatus that city staff said was deemed hazardous following an incident involving Voluntary Purchasing Group; staff noted VPG provided a check to help offset replacement costs. The amendment was adopted unanimously.

Council also discussed shifting management of city athletic fields from an informal single-organization approach to centralized Parks Department scheduling and implementing rental fees to promote equitable access and recover maintenance costs. Staff said locks have been changed and that any proposed fee schedule will be based on comparable jurisdictions and returned to Council for approval. Council members asked questions about insurance requirements and coverage, which staff addressed; no fee schedule was approved that evening.

Additionally the Council accepted the resignation of Allen Sanderson and recorded a public comment in which Sanderson said he intends to run for mayor in the upcoming special election.