Meeting Place: Fulton County Board Office, 257 West Lincoln St., Lewistown, IL 61542
Time: 6:30 PM
Date: September 1st, 2026
1. Call to Order
Time: 7:07 PM
2. Roll Call
MEMBERS:
Barry Beck (Present)
Laura Kessel (Present)
Brian Platt (Absent)
Lauren Southwood (Absent)
John Spangler (Present)
Andy Steck (Present)
Karl Williams(Present)
OTHER BOARD MEMBERS: None
ELECTED & APPOINTED OFFICIALS: None
STAFF: Halle Tindall – Fulton County Board Administrative Assistant
GUEST(S) – None
3. Call for Additions/Deletions to and Approval of Agenda
Member Kessel moved to approve the agenda, with a second from Member Steck. Motion carried by voice vote with all ayes.
4. Approval of Previous Minutes – August 4th, 2026
Member Kessel moved to approve the minutes, with a second from Member Beck. Motion carried by voice vote with all ayes.
5. Announcements, Communication and Correspondence – None
6. Public Remarks – None
7. Reports from Committee Chairs
a. Community Development, Zoning
Member Stack reported that the committee voted to extend the six-month moratorium on data centers and crypto mining operations. The extension will be sent to the full board for approval on September 8th.
b. Health
Member Beck reported that Charmaine Barnett, who has worked 32 years at the Clayberg, will be honored on September 4th with a certificate and celebration. Dr. Bernard was re-appointed to the Tuberculosis Board. Discussion was held about reducing the insurance eligibility waiting period for new employees from 120 days to potentially 30 days, as one newly hired RN expressed concern about the 120-day wait period.
c. County Highway
Member Beck reported that the highway department has been working on flood response, including blocking off flooded roads, clearing trees, and replacing a culvert. Everything is proceeding well.
d. Finance, Insurance, Personnel, Legislative
Member Kessel reported that the committee’s recommendation will be to stay with Kieswetter as the liability insurance broker (proposal coming to full board September 8th). Approximately 60 trustee resolutions were on the agenda. Six decommissioning agreements that have been worked by Assessor Russell and Zoning Officer Mayberry will be coming to the full board for approval. Chris Helle is working on a $250,000 disaster grant application with WRC writing it for a $5,000 fee. A meeting is scheduled for September 2nd, with more information to be presented to Finance Committee on September 8th. Budget discussions are in preparation for October vote to put the budget on display. Property tax code changes will be discussed and approved on September 8th.
e. Property
Member Kessel reported that bids for the Sally Port project were opened and a recommendation will be sent to the full board. The total bid project cost is $454,685, which does not include architect fees already paid. This is approximately $100,000 less than the other general contractor bids would have been. The two general contractor bids had approximately $95,000 difference in price. Bishop Brothers out of Peoria was selected as the general contractor, approximately $95,000 less than Zobrist Construction out of Morton. Quick Electric received the bid for electric work. Teuful Hunden Electronics received the bid for security work. Both are companies that the county has previously worked with. Discussion was held about the high cost of the project. The Sally Port has been discussed since 1981. Part of the high cost is due to fire code requirements mandating a fire barrier between the Sally Port building and the Sheriff’s Office because the Sheriff’s Office does not have a sprinkler system. This requires 10-inch, thick concrete walls between the buildings rather than pole barn construction. The committee noted that when first discussed, the project was estimated around $160,000 and has now tripled to over $400,000. The funds are available in capital improvements. The committee expressed that the project needs to be approved or rejected definitively, as the cost will not decrease.
f. Campground
Member Williams reported that campers are arriving at Superintendent Cindy’s office door as early as 6:30 AM, despite office hours being 10 AM to 6 PM (closed Tuesdays). Two weeks prior, Steve Blackwell addressed electrical billing problems. Spoon River Electric had instructed Cindy to multiply meter readings by three, but the meter company confirmed their meters are 1:1 ratio. The electric billing is being resolved. There had also been issues with rumors going around the campground that Member Williams is working clearing up and putting an end to misinformation spreading. A domestic incident occurred involving a camper with criminal history who was arrested on a warrant. The individual later threatened other campers. The sheriff’s department advised that after three responses, they can require someone to leave for 24 hours. Paperwork was obtained to require the individual to remove belongings within 24 hours of being served.
8. Old Business
Member Spangler reported that contract negotiations are moving along well. Contracts with Highway and the Courthouse could be completed shortly. The Sheriff’s Department negotiations could take longer as they may be moving to FOP rather than AFSCME. Negotiations have not yet started on Clayberg. There is a good chance that three out of four contracts will be completed before year end. Positive feedback was expressed about attorney Chris Jump, with committee members noting he is a big improvement over the previous attorney and that the new union representatives are also better to work with.
9. New Business – None
10. Executive Session – None
11. Misc. – None
12. Adjournment
Member Kessel moved to adjourn at 7:26 PM, with a second from Member Beck. Motion carried by voice vote with all ayes.
