Meeting Place: Fulton County Courthouse, 100 N. Main St., Room 313, Lewistown, IL 61542
Time: 5:45 pm
Date: August 11th, 2026
1. Call to Order
Time: 5:49 PM
2. Roll Call
Roll call was taken, quorum present.
MEMBERS:
Laura Kessel (Present)
Brian Platt (Present) Arrived at 6:07 PM
Chris Southwood (Present)
Lauren Southwood (Present)
Matt Vogel (Present)
OTHER BOARD MEMBERS:
STAFF: Halle Tindall – FCB Administrative Assistant, Audra Miles – Comptroller
ELECTED & APPOINTED OFFICIALS: Staci Mayall – Treasurer, Julie Russell – Assessments, Charlene Markley – Circuit Clerk, Kim Mayberry – Zoning Officer
GUESTS: Michelle Johnson – Vice President of Institutional Resources (Carl Sandburg College)
Media: None
3. Call for Additions/Deletions To Agenda
Member Kessel moved to approve the agenda, with a second from Member Vogel. Motion carried by voice vote with all ayes.
4. Announcements, Communications and Correspondence – None
5. Public Comments – None
6. Claims
a. Discussion/Action: Claims
Member Vogel moved to approve the claims, with a second from Member Kessel. Motion carried by roll call vote with all ayes (4,0)
b. Discussion/Action: Claims ARPA – None
c. Discussion/Action: Claims CEJA – None
7. Transfer of Funds – None
a. General Funds Transfers
b. Other Funds Transfers
8. Immediate Emergency Appropriation(s) – None
a. General Funds Immediate Emergency Appropriations
b. Other Funds Immediate Emergency Appropriations
9. Old Business
a. Discussion/Action: Allocation of remaining ARPA funds
Member L. Southwood led discussion regarding allocation of remaining ARPA funds to the campground. Treasurer Staci Mayall reported $5,552.88 available in ARPA funds, with approximately $4,500 remaining after paying both installments of the time clock for the consolidated 911 center. Treasurer Mayall reported that the campground superintendent needs to update equipment including a very old PC, parts for a used printer (approximately $1,000), a desk, and a chair. She added that while the county does not own the ground at the campground, the county owns the building and office. The remaining ARPA funds amount was clarified to be $4,025.35 plus interest earned. Treasurer Mayall recommended allocating the full $5,000 to the campground superintendent for equipment and software by taking $4,025.35 from ARPA and approximately $900 from interest earned. She added that the Sally Port project and Fairview Tower should be wrapping up soon. Once there are no more ARPA expenses, the remaining interest earned (estimated at $71,000-$72,000) will sweep over to the general fund, and ARPA will be officially done except for the final report due in April.
Member Kessel moved to send to the full board, with a second from Member Vogel. Motion carried by roll call vote with all ayes. (4,0)
10. New Business
a. Discussion: Property Tax Code Changes
Treasurer Mayall provided an overview of upcoming property tax code changes. Next month will feature a deep dive presentation. She expressed that herself and the State’s Attorney have had several meetings and consulted with the Assessor and County Clerk. All parties are on the same page regarding what is best for Fulton County moving forward. Treasurer Mayall provided the committee members with two documents for review: a 35-page Public Act signed by the governor on July 10th showing all additions and edits, and a 13-page UCCI document with introduction and background on the changes. She also has sent it out to the full board, giving members one month to review the materials before being asked to vote on and potentially changing how the tax sale operates this year. She also provided an impact summary about the county trustee program. The contracted agent is Joseph E. Meyer & Associates, who have served since 1996. A representative from Joseph E. Meyer & Associates (either the President or General Counsel) will attend the board meeting either in person or remotely. The committee expressed preference for in-person attendance. The representative will attend both the first Tuesday Finance Committee meeting and the full board meeting to answer questions. Treasurer Mayall disclosed that Joseph E. Meyer & Associates is the company she will work for after her tenure as county treasurer. She is making recommendations based solely on what is best for the county and will provide only data, information, and financial statistics, allowing the State’s Attorney and the contracted agent representative to provide opinions and address questions. At the next Finance Committee meeting (September 1st), Treasurer Mayall will provide financial summaries and data, covering key highlights of law changes and potential impacts on the Sheriff’s Office, judicial deeds, and servicing. At the board meeting (September 8th), a brief financial presentation will be followed by the State’s Attorney’s recommendation, with the representative available to answer questions. Discussion was held about the statute changes. Treasurer Mayall expressed that previously, private tax buyers registered for the tax sale and bid 0% to 9% on delinquent taxes (not property). Anything not bid on defaulted into the county trustee program on behalf of taxing districts, with Joseph E. Meyer & Associates serving as the contracted agent. The statute changed, originating in Cook County, and now county boards have the option that all delinquent properties go into the county trustee program with no private tax buyers. There are pros and cons to both approaches affecting the county, taxing districts, and property owners.
b. Discussion/Action: Resolution – 2026 Civil Clerk Fee
Circuit Clerk Charlene Markley explained that the Senate bill passed in June, and the Administrative Office of Illinois Courts (AOIC) notified counties they missed it. Counties have until August 26th to correct fee schedules. The bill added a $5 guardianship advocacy fee that goes to the state, not the county. Schedule 1 and Schedule 3 filing fees were updated. Schedule 2 was not changed, which AOIC indicated was likely an oversight and may be reintroduced. The bill also changed appearance fees for Schedule 1 and Schedule 2 to $5 each and eliminated the $100 fee on every probate that went to the fund. One typo was noted: on Schedule 1 appearance fees, the guardianship and advocacy fund $5 fee amount are correct but the fee was missing on the form. This will be corrected.
The filing fee for Schedule 1 will increase from $306 to $311.
Member Kessel moved to send to the full board, with a second from Member Vogel. Motion carried by roll call vote with all ayes. (4,0)
11. Safety – Liability Insurance Risk Management – None
12. Budget – None
13. Transit
a. Discussion/Action: Approval of Fulton County Rural Transit Financials – July 2026
Member C. Southwood moved to send to the full board, with a second from Member Kessel. Motion carried by roll call vote with all ayes. (4,0)
b. Discussion/Action: Resolution Authorizing Execution and Amendment of Downstate Operating Assistance Agreement (FY27)
Comptroller Audra Miles explained this is the annual state transit grant contract for the fiscal year that started July 1st. The federal grant will follow once approved.
Member C. Southwood moved to send to the full board, with a second from Member Vogel. Motion carried by roll call vote with all ayes. (5,0)
c. Discussion/Action: Resolution Authorizing Application for Capital Assistance Grant for Paratransit Vehicles (FY26 CVP)
Comptroller Miles presented the application for the most recent vehicle grant from IDOT. IDOT is trying to get back on track with this program from last year. The county is applying for replacement of four vehicles that have reached their useful mileage and age based on IDOT requirements.
Additionally, two vehicles that don’t meet the mileage requirements are being included because they require a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) to operate and the operator cannot hire CDL drivers at current wages. Rather than having vehicles sit unused, IDOT’s capital team advised to apply for smaller vehicles that don’t require a CDL. The application is due in September.
Member C. Southwood moved to send to the full board with a second from Member Kessel. Motion carried by roll call vote with all ayes. (5,0)
14. Treasurer’s Report
Treasurer Mayall clarified the ARPA allocation amount: $4,025.35 from ARPA plus approximately $900 from interest earned for a full $5,000 to the campground superintendent for equipment and software. She would give the full report at the Board meeting on August 11th at 6:30 PM.
15. Assessment Report
Assessor Russell reported working on rebutting an appraisal from an appellant in a PTAB case. Board review notes on the appeal are due August 26th. For the next assessment year 2027, a mobile home audit is planned to ensure everything is properly documented for the new treasurer, hoping to start with a clean slate unlike the situation when Treasurer Mayall and Assessor Russell took office.
16. GIS Department Report – None
Personnel, Legislative
17. Appointments
a. Discussion/Action: Resolution – Appointment – Ryan Baker – Farmland Assessment Review Committee
Member C. Southwood moved to send to the full board, with a second from Member Kessel. Motion carried by voice vote with all ayes.
b. Discussion/Action: Resolution – Re-Appointment – Warren Wolf – Liverpool Drainage & Levee District
Member Platt moved to send to the full board, with a second from Member Kessel. Motion carried by voice vote with all ayes.
c. Discussion/Action: Resolution – Appointment – Israel Crotzer – Fulton County Emergency Telephone System Board
Member C. Southwood moved to send to the full board, with a second from Member Kessel. Motion carried by voice vote with all ayes.
18. Old Business – None
19. New Business – None
20. Executive Session – None
21. Misc. – None
22. Adjournment
Member Kessel moved to adjourn at 6:12 PM, with a second from Member C. Southwood. Motion carried by voice vote with all ayes.
