Chairman Spangler called the Regular Session, September 8th, 2026, meeting to order at 6:33 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 (Remote) |
Landon Smith – P |
Matt Vogel – P |
| Susie Berry – P |
Chris Southwood – P |
David Widger – P |
| 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
Jon Webb – Sheriff
Chris Helle –ESDA – ETSB
Kim Mayberry – Zoning Officer
GUESTS: Jennie Grove – Marketing & Tourism Executive Director, Spoon River Partnership for Economic Development, Whitney Strohmeyer – President of Joseph E. Meyer and Associates
MEDIA: : J.T Doubet– Fulton Democrat
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES
A. Regular Session – August 11th, 2026
Member Steck moved to approve the previous minutes with a second from Member Smith. Motion carried by roll call vote with all ayes. (14,0)
ADDITIONS/DELETIONS TO AGENDA
Member Platt requested to remove item “a.” under “Misc.” due to lack of documentation.
Member Kessel moved to approve the amended agenda with a second from Member Smith. Motion carried by roll call vote with all ayes. (14,0)
ANNOUNCEMENTS, COMMUNICATIONS, AND CORRESPONDENCE
A. Jennie Grove – Marketing & Tourism Executive Director, Spoon River Partnership for Economic Development – Project Updates
Jennie Grove, Executive Director of Spoon River Partnership for Economic Development, presented an update on the Spoon River Mussel Trail project. The project received Fulton County’s first ever tourism grant totaling $54,000 ($27,000 from the state and $27,000 raised with community partners).
The project features 10 large fiberglass mussel shell sculptures placed throughout the county in Emiquon Nature Preserve, Lewistown, Cuba, Canton, Farmington, London Mills, Ellisville, and Bernadotte. The Spoon River derives its name from mussel shells used as spoons by indigenous cultures. Each sculpture features artwork by local artists on the inside curvature depicting the history of each location. QR codes at each statue provide information about the community, local businesses, and restaurants to encourage tourism throughout the county. The unveiling event had over 200 attendees. Currently three statues are installed (Lewistown, Bernadotte, and Cuba) with all ten to be installed by October before scenic drive. Communities have begun beautifying vacant spaces around the statues, with Cuba building a park around their statue.
PROCLAMATIONS – None
PUBLIC REMARKS: None
CONSENT AGENDA
A. CLAIMS
Claims – Sheriff, Jail, Zoning, Board of Review, County Board, 3Q FY26 County Board Mileage & Per Diem, 3Q FY26 Wellness Benefit, Miscellaneous, County Admin, Public Defender, Merit, Property, Supervisor of Assessments, ESDA, LATCF, Animal Control, Highway, VAC, Clayberg, Camping & Recreation, Spay & Neuter, Public Transportation, ARPA, Child Advocacy, 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
a. Resolution: Appointment – Scott Bonney – Liverpool Drainage & Levee District
b. Resolution: Re-Appointment – Scott Bonney – East Liverpool Drainage & Levee District
c. Resolution: Re-Appointment – Dr. Bernard – Tuberculosis Board
D. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, ZONING
E. COUNTY HIGHWAY
F. EXECUTIVE
G. FINANCE, INSURANCE, PERSONNEL, LEGISLATIVE
a. General Funds Transfers
b. Other Funds Transfers
i. Resolution: $6,500.00 From: #101-157-510100 SALARY-DEPUTY/CLKER/SECT, To Newly Created #101-157-505101 SALARY-PUBLIC DEF ASST
c. General Funds Immediate Emergency Appropriations
d. Other Funds Immediate Emergency Appropriations
e. Approval of Fulton County Rural Transit Financials – July 2026 REVISED
f. Approval of Fulton County Rural Transit Financials – August 2026
g. Trustee Resolutions
h. 2026 – 2027 Gaming Permit (Sean’s Tap DBA Josie’s Tap)
H. HEALTH
I. PROPERTY
J. PUBLIC SAFETY & CAMPGROUND
Member Kessel moved to approve the consent agenda with a second from Member Vogel. Motion carried by roll call vote. (14,0)
ACTION AGENDA
A. TREASURER’S REPORT
Treasurer Mayall reported on property tax collections, with over $43.2 million distributed out of an anticipated $60.8 million (71% collected and distributed). For August, the general fund had total revenue of $1,081,038.55 and expenditures of $1,032,016.98, resulting in a surplus of over $49,000. The general fund is at $231,813.38 with $10.7 million in assets under management. Revenue is at 68.7% of budget and expenditures at 63.86%, three-fourths through the fiscal year. ARPA is almost complete. A transfer of $68,000 with interest will be made in October. The Fairview project is underway and the campground was approved for approximately $5,000 for office supplies.
Treasurer Mayall also reported that the second installment due date was September 11th. Anyone who has not paid property taxes is officially delinquent. As of the morning of September 8th, 19% remains to be collected. Late fees, certified letters, and delinquent publications are being processed. Payments can be made online through September 30th.
B. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, ZONING
a. Discussion/Action: Six (6) Month Extension for Previously Passed “Ordinance Establishing a Temporary Moratorium on Data Center & Commercial Crypto Mining Operations Applications for Development in Fulton County”.
Member Steck moved to approve, with a second from Member Smith. Motion carried by roll call vote with all ayes. (14,0)
C. COUNTY HIGHWAY
Member L. Southwood spoke with Keith Munter and he reported approximately $50,000 in reimbursable expenses from recent flooding, which has been or will be submitted to FEMA and IEMA. Work is being coordinated with townships for proper distribution. The highway department had an OSHA inspection this week, the first since 2019, and passed with flying colors.
D. FINANCE, INSURANCE, PERSONNEL, LEGISLATIVE
a. Discussion/Action: Property Tax Code Changes
Treasurer Mayall and State’s Attorney Justin Jochums provided extensive background on Illinois Public Act 104-0553, which changes property tax sale procedures following a 2023 U.S. Supreme Court decision. The county faces potential exposure of approximately $1.2 million for equity claims from private tax buyer deeds recorded in the two years prior to July 10, 2024. Private tax buyers retain equity from past sales, but the county is responsible for surplus equity claims from former property owners. The new law creates two paths: regular tax sales with sheriff’s sales, or sending all delinquent parcels to the county trustee program. The trustee program charges 0.75% per month (compounding) versus the current weighted average of around 6% compounding every six months, making it more affordable for property owners to redeem. Whitney Strohmeyer of Joseph E. Meyer & Associates, the county’s contracted agent since 1996, explained that approximately 10 properties per year are taken by private tax buyers. The trustee program handles abandoned properties and holds an annual surplus auction. The resolution authorizes the county to acquire all certificates for properties with applications for judgment and process them through the county trustee program rather than private tax sales.
Member L. Southwood moved to approve sending all delinquent parcels to the county trustee program, with a second from Member Kessel. Motion carried by roll call vote with all ayes.(14,0)
b. Discussion/Action: Broker Services for Property and Casualty and Worker’s Compensation Insurance
Member L. Southwood expressed that two brokerages submitted proposals. The Finance Committee’s recommendation is to continue the long-standing relationship with Kiesewetter Insurance.
Member L. Southwood moved to approve, with a second from Member C. Southwood. Motion carried by roll call vote with all ayes. (14,0)
c. Discussion/Action: DCEO Disaster Grant Application
Chris Helle explained that recent flash flooding caused approximately $4 million in damage to the county. The county is seeking a $250,000 DCEO grant with a $5,000 application fee. State law requires the county to be the applicant rather than individual jurisdictions.
Member L. Southwood moved to proceed, with a second from Member Kessel. Motion carried by roll call vote with all ayes. (14,0)
Chairman Spangler expressed that there will be a Public Hearing and a Special Board Meeting on September 22nd at 6:00 p.m. to approve the grant application.
d. Discussion/Action: Approval of Decommissioning Agreement between Copperas Creek Solar 1, LLC & Fulton County
Assessor Russell expressed there are six decommissioning agreements that need approval for solar projects: Copperas Creek Solar 1 and 2, Hickory Road Solar 1 and 2, and Long Lake Solar 1 and 2. Hickory Road Solar 1 and 2, and Long Lake Solar 1 and 2 are community-scale solar farms and are co-located on one parcel in Buckheart Township. Through negotiations and after conversations with engineers, an additional $2 million in bonds was secured to ensure adequate funds for decommissioning if needed. Zoning staff extensively vetted the agreements to ensure compliance with Department of Agriculture agreements and landowner protections.
Member L. Southwood moved to approve, with a second from Member Kessel. Motion carried by roll call vote with all ayes. (14,0)
e. Discussion/Action: Approval of Decommissioning Agreement between Copperas Creek Solar 2, LLC & Fulton County
Member L. Southwood moved to approve, with a second from Member Kessel. Motion carried by roll call vote with all ayes. (14,0)
f. Discussion/Action: Approval of Decommissioning Agreement between Hickory Road Solar 1, LLC & Fulton County
Member L. Southwood moved to approve, with a second from Member Kessel. Motion carried by roll call vote with all ayes. (14,0)
g. Discussion/Action: Approval of Decommissioning Agreement between Hickory Road Solar 2, LLC & Fulton County
Member L. Southwood moved to approve, with a second from Member Kessel. Motion carried by roll call vote with all ayes. (14,0)
h. Discussion/Action: Approval of Decommissioning Agreement between Long Lake Solar 1, LLC & Fulton County
Member L. Southwood moved to approve, with a second from Member Kessel. Motion carried by roll call vote with all ayes. (14,0)
i. Discussion/Action: Approval of Decommissioning Agreement between Long Lake Solar 2, LLC & Fulton County
Member L. Southwood moved to approve, with a second from Member Kessel. Motion carried by roll call vote with all ayes. (14,0)
j. Discussion/Action: Resolution: Updating Percentage of Building Permit Fee Revenue Allocated to the Zoning Vehicle Fund
Member L. Southwood expressed that the percentage of building permit fee revenue allocated to the zoning vehicle fund will be changed from 10% to 2% with a cap of $2,000 per year, so that excess funds are not accumulated in the fund.
Member L. Southwood moved to approve, with a second from Member Kessel. Motion carried by roll call vote with all ayes. (14,0)
E. HEALTH
F. PROPERTY
a. Discussion/Action: Approval of Sally Port Bids
Member Kessel explained the Property Committee recommended moving forward with the Sally Port construction project, which has been discussed since the jail was built in 1981.
She expressed that the bids received: General contractor: Bishop Brothers – $331,420; Zobrist Construction – $425,500, Electric: Quick Electric – $52,649, Electronics: Teufel Hunden Electronics – $70,616. Total project cost with Bishop Brothers: $454,685 (plus previously spent architect fees totaling approximately $75,000 in ARPA funds). The capital improvement fund balance as of August 31 is just under $2.9 million. After the Sally Port project, approximately $2.6 million would remain for courthouse renovations.
Significant discussion occurred regarding project costs, communication with the committee, alternative options, and the necessity of the project. Concerns were raised about limited bidders, increasing costs from initial estimates of $165,000-$175,000, and lack of detailed updates. Supporters emphasized the project is necessary for public safety, will not get cheaper with delays, meets fire code requirements, and the county has the funds available. The architect experienced health issues causing delays, and multiple design options were evaluated to meet building code within space constraints.
Member Kessel moved to approve, with a second from Member C. Southwood. Motion carried by roll call vote. (11,3) Nays from Member Berry and Member Barclay, Member Smith abstained.
G. PUBLIC SAFETY & CAMPGROUND
a. Discussion/Action: Ordinance: Animal Control – Multi Pet Owner License
Member Steck led discussion of proposed ordinance requiring registration and licensing for owners of five or more breedable female dogs or cats who are selling offspring or adults. The ordinance would apply only to unincorporated areas, as municipalities have their own ordinances. Concerns were raised about the impact on farm families with multiple animals and whether the ordinance language properly targets commercial operations versus family/farm pets. The animal control officer needs authority to inspect properties where animal abuse or neglect is suspected. The ordinance was tabled for additional work and consultation with the animal control officer.
Member Williams expressed that the electrical billing error was resolved. Meters were incorrectly set at a 3.5 multiplier when they should have been one-to-one. No refunds will be issued for the few bills already paid as campers were told to not pay the bill until the issue was resolved. Board Member Kumer’s access card to the campground was revoked after organizing meetings and spreading rumors. Kumer can access the campground by registering and paying the $10 permit like any visitor. The campground is currently full with 223 campers. All revenue goes back into campground operations as no tax dollars support it.
H. EXECUTIVE
Chairman Spangler expressed that negotiations are progressing well with courthouse and highway departments. Meetings with Clayberg will be planned soon.
I. EXECUTIVE SESSION – 5ILCS 120/2(c)(1) – Personnel
J. MISC.
a. Discussion/Action: Clayberg Business Office Manager Raise
K. ADJOURNMENT
Member Steck moved to adjourn at 8:38 PM with a second from Member Smith. Motion carried by roll call vote with all ayes.(14,0)
