MINUTES
FULTON COUNTY BOARD
REGULAR SESSION
August 8, 2023
Chairman Spangler called the Regular Session, August 8, 2023, meeting to order at 6:31 p.m. in Courtroom 201 at the Fulton County Courthouse in Lewistown, IL.
Fulton County Board Administrative Assistant Cindy Simpson called the roll and found the following members present: Quorum was present. (Present-P; Absent-A)
James Barclay – P Daniel Kumer – P Lauren Southwood – P
Barry Beck – P BJ McCullum – A John Spangler – P
Stan Berry – P Joe Murphy – P Lisa Thompson – P
Jared Heller – P Brian Platt – P David Widger – P
Laura Hepp Kessel – A Ryan Sloan – P Karl Williams – P
Elected/Appointed Officials Julie Russell – Supervisor of Assessment, Keith Munter – Fulton County Engineer, Charlene Markley – Circuit Clerk, Nick Cotta – Public Defender, Justin Jochums – States Attorney
Staff – Audra Miles – Comptroller, Cindy Simpson – Fulton County Board Administrative Assistant
Guests – Dan Silverthorn and Robert Sinkler Heart of Regional Port Authority
Media- John Froehling – Fulton Democrat
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES
A. Regular Session – July 11, 2023
Member Berry moved to accept the minutes and place on file the regular session July 11, 2023 minutes with a second from Member Thompson. Motion carried by voice vote with all voting ayes.
ADDITIONS/DELETIONS TO AGENDA
Member Thompson moved to approve the agenda with a second from Member Widger. Motion carried by voice vote with all voting ayes.
ANNOUNCEMENTS, COMMUNICATIONS AND CORRESPONDENCE
A. Heart of Regional Port District update from Chris Smith and Dan Silverthorn.
Dan stated Fulton County is a big part of the Port Authority the last few years and the Port Authority is more active. The Port Authority runs along the Illinois River and consists of over 100 miles from Havana, Illinois to Henry, Illinois.
Robert Sinkler, a retired Colonel from the Corps of Engineers, is a consultant for the Port Authority.
Robert is from Windsor, Illinois and attend Eastern Illinois University, and joined the Army and commanded the Rock Island Corps of Engineers. After Robert’s retirement, he was hired by the Port Authority as a consultant.
Peoria is the 42nd largest port in the United States and in 2019 Peoria was not recognized on the map as a port. The Port Authority attracted over $300 million in investments for the ports. The Port Authority is asking for support for the port waterways to continue the efforts. This was due to the largest infrastructure investment since 1930 from the Jobs Act of $1.5 Million.
Chairman Spangler inquired what determines the port’s ranking. Robert stated the freight tonnage determines the port’s ranking.
Chairman Spangler inquired if the Port Authority has met with commodity organization. Robert stated there have been meetings with the Illinois Farm Bureau, Illinois Soybean Association and Illinois Corn Growers Association.
B. Regional Planning Coordinator for Illinois Law Enforcement Alarm System – James Episcopo – Tabled
PUBLIC REMARKS: None
CONSENT AGENDA
Member Southwood moved to approve the consent agenda with a second from Member Berry. Motion carried by roll call vote (13-0).
A. CLAIMS
a. Claims- Sheriff, Jail, Zoning, County Board, Miscellaneous, Community Development Bicentennial, County Administrator, Public Defender, Merit, Property, Supervisor of Assessments, ESDA, Animal Control, Highway, VAC, Clayberg, Camping & Recreation, Spay/Neuter Program, Public Transportation, ARPA
B. REPORTS
a. Reports- Animal Control, Treasurer, FCCRA POS Report, VAC, Zoning, SFY23 4Q PCOM Quarterly Report
b. Other Reports- Public Defender, State’s Attorney/Circuit Clerk, Sheriff, County Clerk
C. APPOINTMENTS
a. Resolution: Warren Wolf – Commissioner Reappointment – Liverpool Drainage & Levee District
b. Resolution: Eric White – Commissioner – Thompson Drainage and Levee District
c. Resolution: Berwyn Robert Phipps Jr. – Trustee Appointment Copperas Creek Fire Protection District
D. PROPERTY, COURTS, PUBLIC SAFETY & CAMPGROUND
E. FINANCE, INSURANCE, PERSONNEL, LEGISLATIVE
a. General Fund Transfer
i. Resolution: Create Expenditure line item Fuel #001-005-560300 and transfer
$1,500.00 from #001-021-590100 Contingency to #001-005-560300
ii. Resolution: $250.00 From: #001-016-510100 Deputy/Clerk/Secretary
To: #001-016-535100 Office Supplies & Expenses
iii. Resolution: $300.00 From: #001-021-590100 Contingency
To: #001-005-565100 Telephone & Internet
$3,500.00 From: # 001-021-590100 Contingency
To: 001-005-580100 Indigent Burial
$10,000.00 From: # 001-021-590100 Contingency
To: 001-005-580101 Autopsy Expense
iv. Resolution: Create Expenditure line item Retiree Recognition for $500.00 from Contingency #001-021-590100 to #001-016-585200 Retiree Recognition
b. Other Funds Transfers
c. General Fund Immediate Emergency Appropriations
i. Resolution: $21,125.00 unappropriated funds in the General Fund to Sheriff’s Department Fund for Auto Purchase line item #001-008-570100
ii. Resolution: Create Expenditure line item FCEMA FEMA Allotment #001-064-585143 for $59,096.00 from unappropriated funds
d. Other Fund Immediate Emergency Appropriations
i. Resolution: $10,000.00 Immediate Emergency Appropriation from the Camping and Recreation Fund Unappropriated funds to Campground Maintenance & Management line item #046-102-565424
ii. Resolution: Create Expenditure line item Local Tribal Consistency Fund #099-155-575100 for K-9 Expense $15,000.00 from unappropriated funds
iii. Resolution: Discussion/Action: Resolution: Create Expenditure line item within Local Tribal Consistency Fund #099-155-560100 Equipment line item for $35,000.00 from unappropriated funds
e. Resolution: Authorizing Execution and amendment of Federal 5311 Grant agreement
f. Intergovernmental Agreement between Fulton County & MTAD #2 for Assessment Services
g. Resolution: Trustee Parcels
F. COUNTY HIGHWAY
a. Resolution: HWY 23-005 – Local Appropriation for CH22 Bridge
b. Pleasant Road District – Bridge Replacement Award
G. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, ZONING, 200th ANNIVERSARY
H. EXECUTIVE
I. HEALTH
J. MISC.
ACTION AGENDA
TREASURER’S REPORT – None
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, ZONING & 200TH ANNIVERSARY
Chairman Spangler stated everyone needs to keep promoting the 200th Anniversary celebration. There are flyers available, please take them and put them up at businesses and locations in Fulton County. The volunteer signup sheet was passed around and if anyone knows of persons or organization that would like to volunteer, to have them contact the Fulton County Board office.
COUNTY HIGHWAY
Member Heller reported there will be more information regarding the new Highway Building in the coming weeks.
The bridge at Robins Road will be replaced. The State of Illinois will pay 80%, the County 10% and the Township 10%.
HEALTH
Member Platt reported the Ad-Hoc Health Committee voted not take accept either of the RFPs. There will be a Special Heath Committee meeting at the Clayberg on August 15, 2023, to discuss ongoing issues.
Chairman Spangler stated an advisory Health Committee will be established in the near future and will include community members.
FINANCE, INSURANCE, PERSONNEL, LEGISLATIVE
1. Discussion/Action: Opioid Settlement Fund $80,129.00 recommendation
Member Thompson discussed Opioid Settlement Fund of $80,129.00 and recommended
giving 50% to Drug Court and 50% to North Central Behavioral Health Systems with the stipulation the funds be used in Fulton County.
Member Thompson moved to approve the use of the Opioid Settlement Funds of $80,129.00, 50% to Drug Court and 50% to North Central Behavioral Health Systems with the stipulation the funds be used in Fulton County, with a second from Member Southwood. Motion carried by roll call vote (13-0).
2. Discussion/Action: Amendment Rules of Order 8-8-23
Member Thompson discussed amending the public speaking, as one citizens per topic is too restrictive. Citizens can speak 5 minutes per person, but not more than 30 minutes about the same topic.
Member Thompson moved to approve the amended Rules of Order 8-8-23 with a second from Member Southwood. Motion carried by roll call vote (13-0).
3. Discussion/Action: Assistant Public Defender Salary
Member Kumer inquired what the current salary is and the reason for the increase. Member Thompson stated the salary is $55,000.00 and the data gathered indicates the salary is too low to retain or even hire an Assistant Public Defender. There are numerous Assistant Public Defenders jobs open in neighboring counties that cannot be filled due to the salary being too low.
Member Thompson moved to approve the Assistant Public Defender Salary range from $60,000.00 to $75,000.00 depending on experience with a second from Member Southwood. Motion carried by roll call vote (13-0).
PROPERTY, COURTS, PUBLIC SAFETY & CAMPGROUND
1. Discussion/Action: Rescind Campground Rates increase
Member Williams discussed the Old Dollar General electric bill is being worked on why the bill is so high.
There was communication that the Dollar General Building is starting to be used for storage. The plan is being worked on for space for each office.
The Sally Port is being discussed and is needed as a safety issue and the project will need to be bid.
The rate increase was voted on and the rates are all over the place. The Committee voted to rescind the campground rates. Member Williams and the committee feels the rates need to be a flat rate increase.
Member Williams moved to rescind the Campground rates increase with a second from Member Murphy. Motion carried by roll call vote (13-0).
LIQUOR
1. Discussion/Action: Approve Gaming Terminal Permits
Member Kumer moved to approve the 5 Gaming Terminal Permits with a second from Member Murphy. Motion carried by voice vote with all voting ayes.
2. Discussion/Action: Class C Liquor License
Member Berry moved to approve the Class C Liquor License with a second from Member Thompson. Motion carried by voice vote with all voting ayes.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: None
MISC
1. Discussion/Action: Resignation from County Board –William McCullum
Member Kumer moved to approve the Resignation from Fulton County Board –William McCullum with a second from Member Murphy. Motion carried by voice vote with all voting ayes.
ADJOURNMENT
Time: 7:20pm
Member Berry made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:20pm with a second from Member Sloan. Motion carried by voice vote with all voting ayes
_________________________________
Patrick J. O’Brian, Fulton County Clerk &
Ex-Officio Clerk of the Fulton County Board
C E R T I F I C A T I O N:
I, John Spangler, Chairman of the Fulton County Board, State of Illinois, do hereby certify that I have examined the record of the August 8, 2023 Regular Session of the County Board of Fulton County, Illinois and find the same to be true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief, this day approve the same.
Witness this 12th day of September, 2023.
_________________________________
John Spangler
Fulton County Board Chairman
