Meeting Place: Fulton County Board Office, 257 West Lincoln Street, Lewistown, IL
Time: 5:30 PM
Date: September 1st, 2026
1. Call to Order
Time: 5:31 PM
2. Roll Call
Roll call was taken, quorum was present
MEMBERS:
Dave Barbknecht (Present)
Jim Barclay (Present)
Susie Berry (Present)
Laura Kessel (Present)
Chris Southwood (Present)
OTHER BOARD MEMBERS: John Spangler
ELECTED & APPOINTED OFFICIALS: Jon Webb – Sheriff, Julie Russell – Assessor, Kim Mayberry – Zoning Officer
STAFF: Halle Tindall – FCB Administrative Assistant, Audra Miles – Comptroller
GUEST(S) : Craig Wright – Architect
3. Call for Additions/Deletions To and Approval of the Agenda
Member Kessel asked to move item 9. a. to above old business.
Member Berry moved to approve the amended agenda, with a second from Member Barclay. Motion carried by voice vote with all ayes.
4. Approval of Previous Minutes – August 4th, 2026
Member Southwood moved to approve previous minutes, with a second from Member Barbknecht. Motion carried by voice vote with all ayes.
5. Announcements, Communications, and Correspondence – None
6. Public Remarks – None
7. Claims
Member Kessel explained that Sally Port architect expense claims were reviewed. ARPA funds have been exhausted, so future Sally Port claims will come from the capital improvement fund instead of going to the Finance Committee as an ARPA claim.
Member Southwood moved to approve, with a second from Member Barbknecht. Motion carried by roll call vote (5,0)
a. Discussion/Action: Selection of Sally Port Bids
Craig Wright, architect, presented bids for the Sally Port project.
General Contractor Bids: Two general contractor bids were received: Bishop Brothers: Base bid $327,900, with alternates totaling $331,420. Zobrist Construction: Base bid $422,000, with alternates totaling $425,500. Both contractors acknowledged 1 and 2 and included 5% bid bonds. Bishop Brothers previously completed paving work at the jail approximately six years ago with satisfactory results. Electrical Work: Quick Electric submitted a bid for $52,649 covering electrical work, heating work, and fire alarm tie-in. Quick Electric is already under contract with the county. Security Work: Teufel Hunden Electronics submitted bids for security equipment with multiple options: Base bid for hollow metal door and frame: $33,000. Option 1 (existing 911 consoles): $25,584 total (including base bid). Option 2 (integrated system with video intercoms): $32,866 total (including base bid). Option 3 (combination of options 1 and 2): $37,616 total (including base bid). After clarification via phone call with Greg from Teufel Hunden Electronics, the committee discussed the three security options relative to the 911 dispatch consolidation: Option 1 utilizes existing 911 consoles to control the sally port. Option 2 provides an integrated system with six video intercom stations and door controllers. Option 3 combines both options 1 and 2 for maximum flexibility. Discussion was held about which option best accommodates the future 911 consolidation to Canton. The jail will need to control the sally port regardless of where dispatch is located. Option 3 was recommended for future-proofing, with only a $5,000 difference between options 2 and 3. Total Project Cost: The committee calculated the total project cost at $454,685 using Bishop Brothers as general contractor, Quick Electric for electrical work, and Teufel Hunden Electronics option 3 for security work. Discussion was held about the project cost increase from the originally estimated $403,000 to $455,000, not including architect fees already paid. Factors contributing to the increased cost include: The existing jail lacks a fire suppression system/sprinkler system, requiring the sally port to be separated by a fire barrier made of 10-inch, thick reinforced concrete block. Soil conditions discovered through soil borings revealed 25 feet of uncompacted fill containing vinyl and brickwork, reducing bearing capacity. A sprinkler system retrofit for the entire jail would cost significantly more (estimated $8-$10 per square foot). The committee noted the Sally Port project has been discussed since 1981 and costs will continue to increase with time. Funding will come from the capital improvements fund, which currently has $2.8 million plus $220,000 in earned interest. Additional considerations discussed included whether the sally port can accommodate ambulances. The 10-foot overhead door height may not be sufficient for ambulance clearance, potentially requiring patients to be walked to the sally port and then transferred to the ambulance outside.
Member Southwood moved to accept Bishop Brothers as the general contractor with the Quick Electric bid and option three for the Teufel Hunden Electronics bid, with a second from Member Barbknecht to send the recommendation to the full board. Motion carried by roll call vote (5,0)
8. Old Business
a. Discussion/Action: Sally Port Updates
No additional updates beyond the bid selection discussion.
b. Discussion/Action: DG Storage Project
Member Kessel expressed the DG storage project has merged with courthouse storage needs. Items have been moved to DG storage, but materials remain in the courthouse third-floor room.
c. Discussion/Action: Current Priorities List for Fulton County Courthouse Renovations
Member Kessel expressed that Chairman Spangler calculated some rough estimates of what it may cost to finish the third-floor room. Chairman Spangler is waiting for heating and air quotes back. When Chairman Spangler spoke to Judge Beal, he indicated the room does not need to be fancy, just heated and functional for jury selection. The room capacity limit is approximately 49-50 people based on fire marshal requirements to avoid additional regulations. Committee members suggested the courts contribute funding if they feel strongly about the project. Further discussion will continue. Cost estimates are being refined to see what the best options will be.
9. New Business
Item a. moved to above “Old Business”.
10. Executive Session – None
11. Misc. – None
12. Adjournment
Member Southwood motioned to adjourn at 6:25 PM, with a second from Member Berry. Motion carried by voice vote with all ayes.
