Franklin County is named after Benjamin Franklin, the famous American statesman, scientist, and inventor. He was born on January 17th, 1706, in Boston, Massachusetts.

His father died when he was young, so his mother, Deborah Read, raised him with the help of her sister Mary Stevenson. At age seven, Benjamin began attending a school where he learned Latin and Greek.

This article will tell you more about Franklin County, including the history and government functions.

History of Franklin County

The county was established in 1846 as part of Milam County. The county seat is Mount Vernon, which is also known as “the City of Rocks.” The city has plenty of historical sites, such as the old courthouse built in 1848, and that still stands today.

It was used for court sessions until it burned down in 1911. In 1912 they rebuilt the courthouse, but it did not last long because it too caught fire.

One prominent building is now called the Old Jail House Museum. This museum houses items like guns, knives, handcuffs, etc. There is also a jail cell inside the museum.

Another significant building is the Courthouse Square Building. This building was once home to the sheriff’s office. Today, it is home to the Historical Society. They have displays of local history, including pictures, maps, books, etc.

Also in the square is a statue of President George Washington. On top of the statue is a plaque that reads: “George Washington – Father Of Our Country.”

The earliest settlers were German immigrants. Many came here during the mid-1800s looking for work. Some settled near the banks of the Colorado River, while others moved further into the area. By 1860, most people lived along the river or in small towns.

During the Civil War, some soldiers stayed behind to farm. After the war ended, these men returned to their homes. Most farmers grew cotton and corn. Wheat production started around 1880. Farmers planted wheat fields by hand using hoes and shovels.

Financial Transparency in Franklin County

One of the sensitive issues in this county is transparency in finances. All the finances allocated to different departments must go through the comptroller before being disbursed. The comptroller can audit any department if needed. If the auditor finds something wrong, then the money is recouped back. They audit all county funds annually.

How Franklin County Implements Financial Transparency

Utility reports- all utility bills are sent out monthly. These include electric, gas, water, trash collection, sewer charges, telephone service, cable tv, internet, etc. Utility companies send invoices directly to the Comptroller’s Office.
Treasurer reports – the treasurer prepares financial statements every year. The statement includes income and expenses. Income comes from taxes collected and other sources.
Financial statements- the comptroller prepares annual financial statements. The statement includes a balance sheet, cash flow statement, notes receivable, accounts payable, and inventory. The statement compares the current period with previous periods.
Financial statements- the comptrollers prepare an annual report on how much tax revenue each municipality receives. Each municipality gets its share based on population. Municipalities use the money to pay for services provided by them.
Budgets- the budget process starts when the board of commissioners meets. Commissioners discuss what needs to be done next fiscal year. Then they decide about where the money will come from.
Tax Rate- the rate set depends on the amount of taxable property within the county. Property owners get notified of the new rates at least 30 days before the meeting date. At the meeting, the commissioners vote on whether to increase or decrease the tax rate.
Debt Reporting- debt reporting is required annually. Debtors list all debts owed to the state and federal government. The total amount due is reported.
Audit Reports- audits are performed quarterly. Auditors check records and make sure everything is correct.
Conflict disclosure statements- conflict of interest forms are filed annually. This form lists those with conflict of interest. It also states that a person cannot take part in decisions involving their family members.

Franklin County Offices

The county offices include the following;

County Judge office supervised by Scott Lee. Contact them at 903-537-4252.
Four commissioners in the Precinct capacity supervise the Franklin County Commissioners Court office. Call them at 903-632-4566.
Franklin County Attorney’s office under Landon Ramsay. Call the office at 903/537.2342
County Clerk under Betty Crane. Contact them at 903-537-8357.
The County Treasurer’s office is under Betty Sue Allen. Contact them at (903) 537-8334.
County Tax Assessor-Collector, Voter Registrar’s office is under Sue Ann Harper. Call them at 903-537-2358.
Franklin County Sheriff is under Ricky Jones. Call the office at 903-537-4539.
Robert W. Zinn supervises the Justice of the Peace office. Contact the office at (903) 537-2342.
Franklin County Auditor is Marla White. Contact the office at 903-537-8333.

Public Notices and News

Newsletters are sent out monthly. They contain information such as events going on around town and upcoming meetings.

Newspapers are published weekly. Franklin News record publishes Monday through Friday. Radio stations broadcast daily. KFJZ broadcasts 24/7.

Television stations broadcast daily. KWTX broadcasts 24 hours per day, six days a week.

The county website offers news regarding the county Governmental. Therefore, it can be used as a source of local news.

Emergency Management in Franklin County

The department deals with emergencies like hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, etc. Emergency management helps people recover after disasters. There are three levels of emergency response: pre-event planning, event mitigation, and post-event recovery. Pre-event planning includes:

Preparing evacuation plans.
Providing shelter for residents during an emergency.
Ensuring enough food and water are available.

During an emergency, emergency managers work closely with other agencies to ensure everyone’s safety. After the disaster subsides, they help families get back into their homes or find temporary housing.

If there is an emergency, call your nearest fire station immediately. If you need medical attention, dial 911. You may want to keep a first aid kit handy just in case someone gets hurt.

Conclusion

Franklin County is one of the best places to live if you love nature. The area is home to many parks and lakes. People enjoy fishing, camping, hiking, hunting, boating, swimming, and more.

In addition, the city provides excellent schools for children. It has an excellent public transportation system that makes traveling easy. Also, the community is friendly. Residents have fun together while enjoying each other’s company.