Chairman Spangler called the Regular Session, July 14, 2026, meeting to order at 6:34 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 – P |
| Susie Berry – P |
Chris Southwood – A |
David Widger – P |
| Laura Hepp Kessel – P |
Lauren Southwood – P |
Karl Williams – A |
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
INVOCATION
STAFF: Halle Tindall – FCB Admin, Audra Miles – Comptroller
ELECTED/APPOINTED OFFICIALS:
Patrick O’Brian – Clerk
Staci Mayall – Treasurer
Julie Russell – Supervisor of Assessments & Zoning
Charlene Markley – Circuit Clerk
Kim Mayberry – Zoning Enforcement Officer
Chris Helle – ESDA- ETSB
Keith Munter – FC Highway Engineer
GUESTS: None
MEDIA: J.T Doubet – Fulton Democrat
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES
A. Regular Session – June 9th, 2026
Member Beck moved to approve the previous minutes, with a second from Member Steck. Motion carried by voice vote with all ayes.
ADDITIONS/DELETIONS TO AGENDA
Member Steck moved to approve the agenda, with a second from Member Smith. Motion carried by voice vote with all ayes.
ANNOUNCEMENTS, COMMUNICATIONS, AND CORRESPONDENCE – None
PROCLAMATIONS – None
PUBLIC REMARKS: – None
CONSENT AGENDA
A. CLAIMS
Claims- Sheriff, Jail, Zoning, Board of Review, County Board, 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 – Animal Control, Treasurer, VAC, Zoning, Campground
b. Other Reports – Public Defender, State’s Attorney/Circuit Clerk, Sheriff, County Clerk
C. APPOINTMENTS
D. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, ZONING
E. COUNTY HIGHWAY
a. HWY 26-008 Resolution Pleasantville Solar RUA Repairs
F. EXECUTIVE
G. FINANCE, INSURANCE, PERSONNEL, LEGISLATIVE
a. General Funds Transfers
i. Resolution: $5,000.00 From: #001-048-565402 COURTHOUSE REPAIRS & MAINTENANCE
To: #001-048-570102 REAL ESTATE PURCHASES
b. Other Funds Transfers
c. General Funds Immediate Emergency Appropriations
i. Resolution: $3,459.00 From Unappropriated Funds To: #001-007-500107, State’s Attorney- Salary; $3,112.00 From Unappropriated Funds To: #001-022-500122, Public Defender- Salary; and $2,916.00 From Unappropriated Funds To: #001-008-500108, Sheriff –Salary
d. Other Funds Immediate Emergency Appropriations
e. Approval of Fulton County Rural Transit Financials – June 2026
f. Trustee Resolutions
H. HEALTH
I. PROPERTY
J. PUBLIC SAFETY & CAMPGROUND
Member Beck moved to approve the consent agenda, with a second from Member Smith. Motion carried by roll call vote (12,0)
ACTION AGENDA
A. TREASURER’S REPORT
Treasurer Mayall reported that over $37 million has been distributed to date out of an anticipated $60 million in tax collections. A large distribution was processed at the end of June, with the Treasurer’s Office processing half of the entire tax cycle collections last month. For June, the general fund had $2,060,230.27 in revenue and $1,141,447.62 in expenses, resulting in a surplus of over $918,000. The tax distribution to the general fund was $1,087,467.89. The general fund is now in the black at $127,758.79 after being over a million in deficit. Revenue is at 53% of budget and expenses are at 50%. Treasurer Mayall commended department heads for holding the line on expenditures. Total funds under management are $53,017,029.38. Interest rates are declining. Treasurer Mayall will continue working with department heads on cash flow management to maximize interest earnings.
B. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, ZONING
a. Discussion/Action: Approval of “Keefer Properties Subdivision”. Short Legal: Two lots, being a part of Outlot 2, located in the Southwest quarter of Section 2 in Township 8N, Range 4E of the Fourth Principal Meridian in Fulton County, Illinois.
Member Steck moved to approve the “Keefer Properties Subdivision”. Short Legal: Two lots, being a part of Outlot 2, located in the Southwest quarter of Section 2 in Township 8N, Range 4E of the Fourth Principal Meridian in Fulton County, Illinois, with a second from Member Smith. Motion carried by voice vote with all ayes. (12,0)
Assessor Julie Russell expressed that Sarah Keefer, of Keefer Properties, wants to split a parcel to separate a house on the north side of the property and a commercial building on the south side of the property. The property is located west of Farmington on the south side of Route 116. The subdivision is being created to comply with the Plat Act since the parcel has been split before and is less than five acres. A dedicated access easement to the southern property was added.
C. COUNTY HIGHWAY
Member Beck reported that the county highway is working on road patching, gravel roads, and getting everything in good condition. A reimbursement was approved for Pleasantville Solar road repair where damage was done to county roads during construction. County road oiling will start after the 15th and will take up to two weeks. Townships are also oiling their roads at the same time. County Highway Engineer Munter reported oil and chip sealing will start Monday next week. Crossroad culverts will be done in-house with press releases. Roads impacted by Pleasantville Solar will be repaired, with a $30,000 to $60,000 reimbursement value.
D. FINANCE, INSURANCE, PERSONNEL, LEGISLATIVE
a. Discussion/Action: Renewal of Contract with Hometown Consulting
Member L. Southwood moved to renew the contract with Hometown Consulting, with a second from Member Steck. Motion carried by roll call vote with all ayes. (12,0)
Member L. Southwood expressed the contract remains the same at $50,000 annually. She also explained that Hometown Consulting helps the county obtain grants and has worked extensively with CEJA grants.
b. Discussion/Action: County Audit Contract Extension for 1 year
Member L. Southwood moved to approve County Audit Contract with Gray Hunter Stenn Extension for 1 year, with a second from Member Kessel. Motion carried by voice vote with all ayes. (12,0)
Treasurer Mayall expressed the contract with Gray Hunter Stenn was initially signed with the possibility of extending into 2026 and potentially 2027. Gray Hunter Stenn has done a great job with the audit and has been timely. With board turnover and the treasurer leaving, it is important to maintain continuity with an auditor familiar with the county. The current contract covers years 2023, 2024, and 2025.
E. HEALTH
Member Platt reported that the Clayberg census is down slightly. They picked up another higher skilled patient with advanced care needs due to the electrical renovation that was recently completed.
F. PROPERTY
a. Discussion/Action: County Board Office (Zoning section) Roof & Gutter Replacement
Member Kessel moved to approve the proposals from Holthaus & Premier Gutter Systems to repair the roof and gutters at the County Board Office (Zoning section), with a second from Member Barbknecht. Motion carried by roll call vote with all ayes. (12,0)
Member Kessel expressed that the cost for the gutters is $1,555 and $10,865 for the roof.
G. PUBLIC SAFETY & CAMPGROUND
Member Steck reported everything is running smoothly. Mowing at the campground is being caught up after the excessive rain.
H. EXECUTIVE – None
I. EXECUTIVE SESSION – None
J. MISC. – None
K. ADJOURNMENT
Member Kessel moved to adjourn at 6:53 PM, with a second from Member Steck. Motion carried
by voice vote with all ayes.
