Meeting Place: Fulton County Board Office, 257 West Lincoln Street, Lewistown, IL
Time: 5:30 PM
Date: August 4th, 2026
1. Call to Order
Time: 5:30 PM
2. Roll Call
Roll call was taken, quorum was present
MEMBERS:
Dave Barbknecht (Absent)
Jim Barclay (Present)
Susie Berry (Present)
Laura Kessel (Absent)
Chris Southwood (Present)
OTHER BOARD MEMBERS: John Spangler
ELECTED & APPOINTED OFFICIALS: None
STAFF: Halle Tindall – FCB Administrative Assistant
GUEST(S) : Judge Beal
3. Call for Additions/Deletions To and Approval of the Agenda
Member Berry moved to approve the agenda, with a second from Member Barclay. Motion carried by voice vote with all ayes.
4. Approval of Previous Minutes – July 7, 2026
Member Berry moved to approve previous minutes, with a second from Member Barclay. Motion carried by voice vote with all ayes.
5. Announcements, Communications, and Correspondence
a. Judge Beal
Judge Beal attended to get an update on the courthouse project. Member Kessel reached out to him about a video conference tomorrow with engineers to determine restrictions on the third-floor room in the courthouse, primarily interested in capacity. Judge Beal expressed that there will be a trial on the third week of August with 175 in the jury pool and approximately 110 expected to appear. There will be a trial in September with 300 people in the jury pool. There will also be a trial in November with 175 in the jury pool and possibly an October trial. Judge Beal indicated he is okay with putting chairs in the room in its current condition if it cannot be built out by September. He requested chairs, a TV, and video equipment so jurors can watch videos about trial procedures and their duties.
Discussion was held about the lack of progress removing items from the room as some departments do not want their items to be moved. The committee suggested to possibly move items to DG storage. Concerns were raised about disposing of certain items, particularly an x-ray machine (believed to be a security x-ray machine for screening bags) that may be considered hazardous material. Discussion was held about disposal methods. The committee discussed whether Hitchcock’s Scrap Yard would accept the items, but concluded they likely would not come pick them up and they would have to be taken there.
6. Public Remarks – None
7. Claims
Member Berry moved to approve, with a second from Member Barclay. Motion carried by roll call vote (3,0)
8. Old Business
a. Discussion/Action: Sally Port updates
Member C. Southwood expressed he spoke with Member Kessel and she reported that Sheriff Jon Webb is returning from a trip and will meet with Craig Wright on August 5th. They are still discussing soil boring results. Sheriff Webb believes the results came back okay, but a meeting is scheduled for August 5th to discuss them. Once that discussion is complete, the project will be put out for bid.
b. Discussion/Action: DG Storage Project
No updates at this time.
c. Discussion/Action: Courthouse Renovations
Member C. Southwood expressed that he was made aware that there will be a video conference scheduled for the morning of August 5th regarding restrictions on the room due to the historical designation of the courthouse. Member Spangler had some concerns about receiving more requests for information from the state regarding the DECO grant for the courthouse project. The committee expressed hope that the additional requirements will not make the project more expensive than it is worth. Discussion was held about the lower historical designation chosen to have fewer restrictions. Cole McDaniel of Hometown Consulting has been dealing with the grant administrator who is now requesting more information.
9. New Business – None
10. Executive Session – None
11. Misc. – None
12. Adjournment
Member Berry motioned to adjourn at 5:40 PM, with a second from Member Barclay. Motion carried by voice vote with all ayes.
