Chairman Spangler called the Regular Session, June 9, 2026, meeting to order at 6:30 PM in Courtroom 201 at the Fulton County Courthouse in Lewistown, IL.
Fulton County Clerk O’Brian called the roll and found the following members present: (Present-P; Absent-A):
| David Barbknecht – P |
Daniel Kumer – A |
John Spangler – P |
| James Barclay – P |
Brian Platt – P |
Andy Steck – P |
| Barry Beck – P |
Landon Smith – P |
Matt Vogel – A |
| Susie Berry – P |
Chris Southwood – A |
David Widger – A |
| Laura Hepp Kessel – P |
Lauren Southwood – P |
Karl Williams – P |
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
INVOCATION
STAFF: Halle Tindall –FCB Admin, Audra Miles- Comptroller
ELECTED/APPOINTED OFFICIALS:
Patrick O’Brian- Clerk
Staci Mayall – Treasurer
Julie Russell – Sup of Assessment
Charlene Markley – Circuit Clerk
Justin Jochums – State’s Attorney
Chris Helle –ESDA- ETSB
Keith Munter – FC Highway Engineer
GUESTS: Cole McDaniel – Hometown Consulting Admin, Jennie Grove – Marketing & Tourism Executive Director, Spoon River Partnership for Economic Development, Jeni Crosthwait – DaCott Energy Services, Bryan Dodge – Midwest Wood Specialties, Jeremy Roe – Ambro Funds
MEDIA: J.T Doubet– Fulton Democrat
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES
A. Regular Session – May 12th, 2026
Member Beck moved to approve the previous minutes with a second from Member Smith. Motion carried by voice vote with all ayes.
ADDITIONS/DELETIONS TO AGENDA
Member L. Southwood moved to approve the agenda with a second from Member Smith. Motion carried by voice vote with all ayes.
ANNOUNCEMENTS, COMMUNICATIONS, AND CORRESPONDENCE
A. Midwest Wood Specialties – Project Funding Presentation & Proposal
Cole McDaniel introduced Bryan Dodge from Midwest Wood Specialties and he presented about the Canton Biomass & Activated Carbon Facility. This facility is where the former ethanol plant was located outside of Canton, IL. Dodge described the different systems used in the carbon process, what equipment is already on site at the facility, what equipment would need to be purchased/shipped in, and what each piece of equipment does in the process. Tree companies can bring in wood products by the ton to be bought then be processed. After the process takes place, the by-product goes into bulk bagging to be shipped back out. Board members asked what was needed of the county for this project. Dodge expressed that the bond will be funded through the Illinois Finance Authority and he is not asking the county for any financial obligation for this operation and there would be zero recourse for the county. Board members expressed concerns about the roads and rails that would need to be used to access the facility. County Highway Engineer Munter commented that there would need to be further discussion in the future about possible trucking and roadway concerns. McDaniel expressed that this operation will take a TIF district to operate, Dodge stated that the TIF district needed is not structured like a usual TIF district and it will be discussed further in the future. McDaniel then expressed that the county board needs to first understand how the bond is backed via the TIF, what the recourse would be for the state or the bonding authority if the worst-case scenario happened and property taxes were not paid or the project does not work out. Typically, the recourse would be property taxes. Dodge answered McDaniel’s question that if the bond defaults, it goes back to the bond buyer and does not fall back on the taxing authority. Dodge stated that once the project gets the bond issuance, it will go into an escrow account. The goal would be to have the funds readily available to go through each funding phase. McDaniel suggested setting up a Finance Committee meeting to go further in depth, have more discussion, and answer more questions that may come up. McDaniel stated that creating a TIF district will take time and other entities will be involved and also be in agreement to create it successfully. McDaniel expressed that the next step may be having a conversation with Ambro Funds to understand what the Illinois Finance Authority will need as part of the bond issuance, then bring the conversation back to the Board. Dodge will be in contact with updates for the Board.
PROCLAMATIONS – None
PUBLIC REMARKS: – None
CONSENT AGENDA
A. CLAIMS
Claims- Sheriff, Jail, Zoning, Board of Review, County Board, 2Q FY26 County Board Mileage & Per Diem, 2Q FY26 Wellness Benefit, Miscellaneous, County Admin, Public Defender, Merit, Property, Supervisor of Assessments, ESDA, Animal Control, Highway, VAC, Clayberg, Camping & Recreation, Spay & Neuter, Public Transportation, ARPA, Capital Improvement, CEJA
B. REPORTS
a. Reports– Treasurer, VAC, Zoning, Campground
b. Other Reports- Public Defender, State’s Attorney/Circuit Clerk, Sheriff, County Clerk
C. APPOINTMENTS
a. Resolution: Appointment of Franklin Mellert, Buckheart Fire Protection District
b. Resolution: Re-Appointment of James Maxwell, Buckheart Fire Protection District
c. Resolution: Merit Commission Appointment – Brad Ward
d. Resolution: Merit Commission Appointment – Barry Blackwell
D. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, ZONING
E. COUNTY HIGHWAY
F. EXECUTIVE
G. FINANCE, INSURANCE, PERSONNEL, LEGISLATIVE
a. General Funds Transfers
i. Resolution: $19,400.00 From: #001-021-590100 CONTINGENCY,
To: newly created #001-016-510107 FOIA OFFICER
ii. Resolution: $3,500.00 From: #001-021-590100 CONTINGENCY,
To: #001-016-535100 OFFICE SUPPLIES & EXPENSE
b. Other Funds Transfers
c. General Funds Immediate Emergency Appropriations
d. Other Funds Immediate Emergency Appropriations
e. Approval of Fulton County Rural Transit Financials – May 2026
f. SFY27 Transit Contract
g. Assignment of Tax Sale Certificate of Purchase
h. Trustee Resolution
H. HEALTH
I. PROPERTY
J. PUBLIC SAFETY & CAMPGROUND
K. LIQUOR
a. Annual Class A Renewals
b. Class C – Fulton County Fair
Member Beck moved to approve the consent agenda with a second from Member L. Southwood. Motion carried by roll call vote (11,0)
ACTION AGENDA
A. TREASURER’S REPORT
Treasurer Mayall reported the first distribution went out last month and approximately $60.7M is expected to be collected and distributed and of that, almost $2.9M went out the door. She also reported that the first installment due date is Friday June 12, 2026 and it can be sent in by mail, but the easiest way is to pay online. She added a follow-up about the audit that was approved last month and that the audit is done. Lastly, she reported that the property tax code has changed based on a Supreme Court decision made almost 3 years ago and she will go through it in the future in detail.
B. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, ZONING
a. Discussion/Action: Approval of Agreement with Pleasantville Solar LLC, to set the annual Conditional Use Permit renewal fee.
Member Steck moved to approve the agreement with Pleasantville Solar LLC to set the annual Conditional Use Permit renewal fee, with a second from Member Smith. Motion carried by roll call vote with all ayes. (11,0)
Assessor Russell expressed that previously the fee was $25 a year and it is now $5,000 a year and Pleasantville Solar would like the $5,000 to be locked in. The fee will help offset certain costs such as legal counsel.
C. COUNTY HIGHWAY
Member Beck reported that everything in the Highway department is going well and they have shifted to their summer hours, only open 4 days a week and closed on Fridays. County Highway engineer Munter reported the Public Hearing took place at 6:00PM and the $184,000 reimbursement check for last year’s storm clean-up should be deposited within the next 2 days.
D. FINANCE, INSURANCE, PERSONNEL, LEGISLATIVE
a. Discussion/Action: Dacott Energy Supplier Bids
Member L. Southwood moved to continue with Constellation for a 12-month contract for both electric and gas, with a second from Member Kessel. Motion carried by roll call vote with all ayes. (11,0)
Member L. Southwood expressed that the Board would like to continue receiving the Solar On Earth credits on the electric bills and this contract should make sure the credits are fully applied.
b. Discussion/Action: Approval of request for Julie Russell to teach part-time for the Illinois Property Assessment Institute, pursuant to Section 1.(A) of the CCAO’s Employment Contract and 35 ILCS 200/3-35.
Member L. Southwood moved to approve request for Julie Russell to teach part-time for the Illinois Property Assessment Institute, with a second from Member Barbknecht. Motion carried by voice vote with all ayes. (11,0)
Member L. Southwood expressed Assessor Russell will be teaching these courses on her time off quarterly.
c. Discussion/Action: Reallocating ARPA Funds For Sheriff’s Axon Body Camera Payment
Member L. Southwood moved to reallocate ARPA funds for sheriff’s Axon body camera payment at the amount of $75,000, with a second from Member Beck. Motion carried by roll call vote with all ayes. (11,0)
Member L. Southwood expressed that these are surplus funds from other projects and can be used towards the sheriff’s body camera payment.
E. HEALTH
Member Platt reported that the installation of electric outlets at the Clayberg that was mentioned last month is almost completed. The population is down to around 40 and he is hoping they are able to take in more residents that require a higher level of care.
F. PROPERTY
a. Discussion/Action: Jane Boyd Building Roof Repairs
Member Kessel moved to approve the quote from Holthaus to repair the roof at the Jane Boyd Building, with a second from Member Steck. Motion carried by roll call vote with all ayes. (11,0)
Member Kessel reported that they are continuing to clean out the rest of the items on the third floor of the courthouse and getting it moved to storage. Member Kessel, Chair Spangler, Cole McDaniel, and Sheriff Webb met with Judge Beal earlier in the evening and they are working with him on how they can help with a location for the jury process.
G. PUBLIC SAFETY & CAMPGROUND
Member Williams reported the campground playground equipment is up and the campground has 4 available spots. There is a possibility that additional campsites will be opened in the future.
H. EXECUTIVE – None
I. EXECUTIVE SESSION – Closed Meeting Minutes Review 5ILCS 120/2(c) (21)
Member Smith moved to enter closed session at 7:42 PM with a second from Member Steck. Motion carried by roll call vote with all ayes (11,0).
Member Smith moved to exit closed session at 7:44 PM with a second from Member Platt. Motion carried by roll call vote with all ayes (11,0).
J. MISC.
a. Action: Review Executive Sessions (December 2025 – May 2026)
Member Barbknecht moved to keep executive sessions sealed, with a second from Member Beck. Motion carried by voice vote with all ayes (11,0).
b. Discussion/Action: Approval of Election Judges for a 2-year term, 2026-2028
Clerk O’Brian reported the election judge lists for a 2-year term.
Member Smith moved approve the election judge list, with a second from Member Platt. Motion carried by voice vote with all ayes (11,0)
K. ADJOURNMENT
Member Steck moved to adjourn at 7:47 PM with a second from Member Beck. Motion carried
by voice vote with all ayes.
