Fannin County commissioners approve park purchases, work-detail renewal and disaster-awareness plan

Fannin County commissioners approved a series of routine actions including two park purchases, renewal of a state work-detail agreement and a new disaster awareness plan.

At the meeting the board approved purchase of protective netting for two hazardous holes at the county’s disc-golf course (vendor and pricing discussed; figures quoted in the meeting included amounts near $5,007.50 and $5,750) and approved professional installation of a double slide and safety railing for a playground from Bliss Products for $5,246.50. Eddie O’Neil, introduced by the chair as a director, told commissioners the playground surfacing is ADA-approved and that the pavilion and pool-area cameras are in place at county parks.

The board also renewed a work-detail agreement (a state-run crew program) with a compensation increase from about $54,002.49 last year to $56,009.62 this year — an increase the meeting recorded as $2,712.29 — and then approved a payment/authorization for $56,962.29 tied to that agreement. Staff said crews generally come four days a week and the county only pays for days crews actually work.

For emergency planning, Trent Lowry, identified in the meeting as the MA coordinator, presented a newly developed disaster awareness plan that staff said had been reviewed by GEMA and FEMA. Lowry said the plan lays out public-notification and outreach steps, shelter sites (primary shelter: the recreation center; secondary sites: Morgan Baptist and First Baptist in Woodridge) and steps to prepare residents for wildfires and other disasters. Staff told the board the plan would make the county eligible for a slightly higher FEMA infrastructure match in disaster declarations.

Votes at a glance - Minutes (regular meeting of 04/14/2026): motion to approve made and seconded; board voice-approved. - Variance: application by William Dunn IV to locate a new home 15 feet from River Bend Lane was discussed; commissioners agreed to a 25-foot setback as a condition and moved/seconded approval. - Disc-golf protective netting: board moved and seconded approval; voice vote in favor recorded. - Playground slide and safety railing (Bliss Products): motion made and seconded; voice vote in favor recorded; staff said the surface is ADA-compliant. - Work-detail agreement (state program): board approved $56,962.29 to renew the program; motion made and voice vote recorded. - Disaster awareness plan (GEMA/FEMA-reviewed): board moved, seconded and approved the plan by voice vote; staff said it will be incorporated into the local emergency operations plan to help access additional disaster-match funds.

The meeting proceeded to public comment and the chair asked whether business should be taken in executive session.