Meeting Place: 257 W Lincoln, Lewistown, IL
Time: 5:00 PM
Date: May 5, 2026
1. Call to Order
Time: 5:01
2. Roll Call
Roll call was taken, quorum was present
MEMBERS:
Susie Berry (Present)
Landon Smith (Present) – Arrived at 5:05
Andy Steck (Present)
Matt Vogel (Present)
David Widger (Present)
OTHER BOARD MEMBERS: Lauren Southwood
ELECTED & APPOINTED OFFICIALS: Kim Mayberry – Zoning Officer, Julie Russell – Assessments
STAFF: Halle Tindall – Fulton County Board Administrative Assistant Audra Miles – Comptroller
GUEST(S) – None
3. Call for Additions/Deletions to and Approval of the Agenda
Member Berry moved to approve with a second from Member Vogel. Motion carried by voice vote with all ayes.
4. Approval of Previous Minutes – April 7, 2026
Member Berry moved to approve with a second from Member Widger. Motion carried by voice vote with all ayes.
5. Announcements, Communications and Correspondence – None
6. Public Comments – None
7. Claims/Financial Report
Member Vogel moved to approve with a second from Member Widger. Motion carried by roll call vote (4,0)
8. Zoning Office Report
Zoning Officer Kim Mayberry reported on approvals and denials of solar facilities. She also reported the Buckheart Solar Conditional Use Hearing would take place at Spoon River College on Wednesday, May 6th at 5:00 PM.
9. Old Business
Discussion/Action: Abandoned House Ordinance Research Update
Member Berry researched the City of Peoria Abandoned House Ordinance and discussed a grant program that takes unsafe structures down.
Member Smith researched McDonough County and did not find an Abandoned House Ordinance.
Member Steck researched the City of Canton and the City of Farmington and discussed both cities’ Ordinances. In relation to Fulton County Comptroller Audra Miles and Assessor Julie Russell shared concerns over who would carry out taking buildings down and how the system would work on figuring out if who should be in charge of it. Lauren Southwood expressed towns being part of a Land Bank and how that would affect creating a program because of different county and city rules. This item will be discussed further at the next meeting, Tuesday, June 2nd.
Discussion/Action: Data Center & Commercial Crypto-Mining Facility Task Force Update
Assessor Russell passed out a timeline of progress of the Data Center & Crypto-Mining Facility Task Force. She reported that they are currently gathering specific concerns about these developments from participants. Now through May 23rd they will be compiling information and start developing the draft Ordinance for review.
10. New Business
Discussion/Action: Resolution: Updating Zoning Permit Fees in the Industrial District.
(CDZ Approved 4/7/26; ZBA Approved 4/29/26)
Assessor Russell reiterated the Community Development & Zoning Committee approved
this Resolution on April 7th and the ZBA approved it on April 29th and it can now be sent to the full board.
Member Steck moved to send to the full board with a second from Member Berry. Motion carried by roll call vote (5,0)
Discussion/Action: Ordinance: Revoking and Replacing Section 9.2 “Commercial Wind Energy Conservation Systems (WECS) Siting Ordinance for Fulton County.” (Pursuant to Public Act 104-0458) (CDZ Approved 4/7/26; ZBA Approved 4/29/26)
Assessor Russell reiterated the Community Development & Zoning Committee approved
this Resolution on April 7th and the ZBA approved it on April 29th and it can now be sent to the full board.
Member Berry moved to send to the full board with a second from Member Smith. Motion carried by roll call vote (5,0)
Discussion/Action: Ordinance: Revoking and Replacing Section 9.3 “Solar Siting Ordinance for Fulton County” with “Behind the Meter Solar Energy System Siting Ordinance for Fulton County.” (Pursuant to Public Act 104-0458) (CDZ Approved 4/7/26; ZBA Approved 4/29/26)
Assessor Russell reiterated the Community Development & Zoning Committee approved
this Resolution on April 7th and the ZBA approved it on April 29th and it can now be sent to the full board.
Member Smith moved to send to the full board with a second from Member Widger. Motion carried by roll call vote (5,0)
Discussion/Action: Ordinance: Revoking and Replacing Section 9.4 “Commercial Solar Energy System Siting Ordinance for Fulton County.” (Pursuant to Public Act 104-0458)
(CDZ Approved 4/7/26; ZBA Approved 4/29/26)
Assessor Russell reiterated the Community Development & Zoning Committee approved
this Resolution on April 7th and the ZBA approved it on April 29th and it can now be sent to the full board.
Member Vogel moved to send to the full board with a second from Member Smith. Motion carried by roll call vote (5,0)
Discussion/Action: Ordinance: Revoking and Replacing Section 9.5 “Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Siting Ordinance” with “Energy Storage System (ESS) Siting Ordinance for Fulton County” (Pursuant to Public Act 104-0458) – AS AMENDED by the ZBA on 4/29/26
(CDZ Approved 4/7/26; ZBA AMENDED & Approved 4/29/26)
Assessor Russell reiterated the Community Development & Zoning Committee approved
this Resolution on April 7th and the ZBA approved it on April 29th and it can now be sent to the full board. She clarified some small changes.
Member Steck moved to send to the full board with a second from Member Widger. Motion carried by roll call vote (5,0)
11. Executive Session – None
12. Misc. – None
13. Adjournment
Member Smith moved to adjourn at 5:30 PM with a second from Member Vogel. Motion carried by voice vote with all ayes.
