Meeting Place: Fulton County Board Office, 257 West Lincoln St., Lewistown, IL 61542
Time: 6:00 PM
Date: August 4th, 2026
1. Call to Order
Time: 6:00 PM
2. Roll Call
Roll call was taken, quorum present.
MEMBERS:
Laura Kessel (Absent)
Brian Platt (Present)
Chris Southwood (Present)
Lauren Southwood (Present)
Matt Vogel (Absent)
OTHER BOARD MEMBERS: John Spangler
STAFF: Audra Miles – Comptroller, Halle Tindall – FCB Admin Assistant
ELECTED & APPOINTED OFFICIALS: Staci Mayall – Treasurer, Julie Russell – Assessments, Charlene Markley – Circuit Clerk
GUESTS: Dave Demler – Regional Superintendent ROE 26
3. Call for Additions/Deletions To Agenda
Member C. Southwood moved to approve the agenda, with a second from Member Platt. Motion carried by voice vote with all ayes.
4. Approval of Previous Minutes: July 7 & 14, 2026
Member Platt moved to approve the previous minutes, with a second from Member C. Southwood. Motion carried by voice vote with all ayes.
5. Announcements, Communications, and Correspondence – None
6. Public Comments – None
7. Claims
a. Discussion/Action: Claims
Member C. Southwood moved to approve the claims, with a second from Member Platt. Motion carried by roll call vote with all ayes (3,0)
b. Discussion/Action: Claims ARPA – None
c. Discussion/Action: Claims CEJA – None
8. Transfer of Funds – None
9. General Fund Transfers
10. Other Funds Transfers
11. Immediate Emergency Appropriation(s) – None
12. General Fund Immediate Emergency Appropriations
13. Other Funds Immediate Emergency Appropriations
14. Old Business – None
15. New Business
a. Discussion/Action: Trustee Resolutions
Member C. Southwood moved to send to the full board, with a second from Member Platt. Motion carried by roll call vote with all ayes (3,0)
16. Budget
a. Discussion/Action: FY27 ROE Budget
Dave Demler, Regional Superintendent for ROE 26, presented the FY27 budget request. ROE 26 serves four counties with a statutory formula determining each county’s contribution percentage.
Fulton County’s percentage decreased from 41% last year to 39% this year, which is favorable for Fulton County. ROE 26 is requesting a 1.5% increase (approximately $4,000) in the overall budget, with 87% of the increase covering insurance costs. Demler added that despite the overall budget increase, Fulton County’s contribution will decrease by $2,000 due to the lower percentage. Demler explained that truancy services are currently funded by a grant (in year three of a three-year cycle) and will continue to be requested at zero county cost if the grant is renewed. Two potential new grants were discussed: $150,000/year for mental health telehealth services and $750,000-$1.5 million/year for additional services, both pending approval in September. ROE 26 employs over 90 employees across four counties and operates 23 programs including alternative schools, GED testing, special education support, and the ALOP advocate program. The ALOP program served 270 students last year and was recently approved to expand to kindergarten through third grade.
Member C. Southwood moved to approve, with a second from Member Platt. Motion carried by roll call vote with all ayes (3,0)
b. Discussion/Action: $40,000 contribution to SRPED
Member L. Southwood expressed that the county has contributed $40,000 for the past few years.
She explained the partnership serves only Fulton County and focuses on supporting business owners and the community. Hometown Consulting works for the county government, while the partnership works for citizens and business owners. She expressed that the partnership provides tourism support, grants, and low-cost loans to businesses throughout the county, such as the Dairy Dipper in Astoria. The partnership also works with solar projects like Buckhart Solar and partners with Hometown Consulting. Committee members expressed desire to ensure the partnership continues serving the entire county.
Member C. Southwood moved approve the contribution of $40,000 to SPRED in FY27, with a second from Member Platt. Motion carried by roll call vote with all ayes (3,0)
c. Discussion/Action: Budget for Legal Services Line Item
Comptroller Audra Miles expressed that in non-negotiation years, the budget is typically $25,000. In negotiation years, the budget is typically $50,000. Current fiscal year has $50,000 budgeted for ongoing negotiations. For FY27 (a non-negotiation year), the committee decided to budget $25,000, with confidence that current negotiations will conclude before the fiscal year ends.
Member C. Southwood moved to approved the budget of $25,000 for Legal Services in FY27, with a second from Member Platt. Motion carried by roll call vote with all ayes (3,0)
d. Discussion/Action: Other Funds Budget Update
Comptroller Miles updated the committee that the only change in the General Fund since the July meeting was a $1,000 increase in the audit fee following contract renewal with the auditors. General revenue will be updated when the state issues PPRT estimate. Outstanding items will be updated as received. Non-union raises will be addressed, though timing is complicated with ongoing negotiations. She also added that health insurance rates are expected in October. Comptroller Miles distributed budgets for funds 2 through 104 that have been received to date. She reported that the 377 Board (Mentally Deficient) requested no increase and the 708 Board (Mental Health) requested a 2.7% increase. Both funds’ levy amounts will be set based on cash flow analysis. Fund 52 (Home Monitoring) is looking stable; the $2,000 transfer previously budgeted from the General Fund was removed. Sheriff Webb submitted expenses to the 9th Judicial for potential reimbursement of home monitoring fees. LATCF (Local Assistance Tribal Consistency Fund) will be budgeted at zero for FY27 after the Health Department completes their capital improvements spending this year. Highway, Campground and Recreation, and Clayburg budgets should be available next month after committee review.
17. Safety – Liability Insurance Risk Management – None
18. Transit
a. Discussion/Action: Draft FY2027 Transit Risk Assessment Corrective Action Plan
Comptroller Miles presented a draft corrective action plan required by IDOT in response to a risk assessment questionnaire for the state transit grant. IDOT’s new compliance department classified the county as medium risk, which they indicated is standard for most grantees in the first year. The corrective action plan is due August 10th. IDOT requested training on generally accepted accounting principles, procurement, and compliance for multiple county staff, which is challenging given the county’s small size and personnel constraints. Fulton County Rural Transit operators helped source acceptable training courses. The draft plan commits the PCOM (Comptroller Miles) to complete required training courses, including a compliance training in Springfield next week. The plan notes the county is considering hiring a dedicated part-time PCOM due to the substantial oversight requirements and upcoming retirements at Fulton County Rural Transit. Comptroller Miles was not originally hired to be the PCOM and the role was added after hiring.
19. Treasurer’s Report
Treasurer Mayall expressed that she would give her report at the August 11th meetings. She added that discussion will be held about budget items for next year and tax code changes are to be discussed with the State’s Attorney at next week’s meeting. She also requested clarity on when the FOIA officer can begin serving as a central hub to receive and assign FOIA requests. Member L. Southwood expressed that she will get information about when the FOIA officer can start receiving all FOIA requests and get the system set up as soon as possible.
20. Assessment Report
Assessor Russell reported that field work for 2026 assessments is nearly complete with five or six townships remaining. She expressed concerns about a viral YouTube video with nearly 500,000 views is spreading false information claiming the U.S. Congress passed legislation eliminating property taxes for senior citizens born before 1950. The video is monetized misinformation preying on elderly residents. She explained that the U.S. Congress has no jurisdiction over Illinois property tax systems and no such legislation exists. The Assessment’s office has begun receiving calls and emails about the false claims. The committee discussed posting information on the county website to counter the misinformation if needed. Assessor Russell explained that the Assessment’s office already provides extensive outreach about legitimate senior exemptions through the website, newspaper ads, postcards, and field staff.
21. GIS Department Report
Assessor Russell reported ArcGIS Pro licenses were successfully assigned. She also expressed that there is a security patch from ESRI that caused issues with property updates and the mapping company is working to resolve it.
Personnel, Legislative
22. Appointments
a. Discussion/Action: Resolution: Appointment – Janet Bradley – Board of Health
This item was approved at the Health Committtee meeting on August 4.
b. Discussion/Action: Resolution: Re-Appointment – Eric White – Thompson Drainage and Levee District
Member Platt moved to send to the full board with a second from Member C. Southwood. Motion carried by voice vote with all ayes.
c. Discussion/Action: Resolution: Appointment – Susie Berry – Fulton County Rural Transit Board
Member Platt moved to send to the full board with a second from Member C. Southwood. Motion carried by voice vote with all ayes.
23. Old Business – None
24. New Business – None
25. Executive Session – None
26. Misc. – None
27. Adjournment
Member C. Southwood moved to adjourn at 6:44 PM, with a second from Member Platt. Motion carried by voice vote with all ayes.
