Chairman Spangler called the Regular Session, January 14, 2025, meeting to order at 6:30 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 |
Laura Hepp Kessel – P |
Lauren Southwood – P |
| James Barclay – P |
Daniel Kumer – P |
John Spangler -P |
| Barry Beck – P |
Brian Platt – P |
Andy Steck – P |
| Susie Berry – P |
Landon Smith – P |
David Widger – P |
| Paula Grigsby – P |
Chris Southwood – P |
Karl Williams – P |
STAFF: Rachel Knott–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
Keith Munter – FC Highway Engineer
Austin Rhodes – Coroner
GUESTS: None
MEDIA: None
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES
A. Regular Session – December 10th, 2024
Member Beck moved to approve with a second from Member L. Southwood. Motion carried by voice vote will all ayes.
ADDITIONS/DELETIONS TO AGENDA
Member Kessel moved to approve with a second from Member Barbknecht. Motion carried by voice vote with all ayes.
ANNOUNCEMENTS, COMMUNICATIONS AND CORRESPONDENCE
A. Court Security – Judge Lane
Judge Lane informed the board that the need for security in the courts has increased. At this time no extra funding is needed to cover this cost. He is working with Sheriff Webb and Deputy Hampton on scheduling current courthouse security officers to cover this.
B. 2024 Assessment Year-End Report – Assessor Russell
Assessor Russell, Treasurer Mayall, and Clerk O’Brian presented on the property tax cycle and how all section of the process is mandated by Illinois Property Tax Code 35 ILCS 200.
Key Points to take away from the presentation
• The Assessments Office assesses property, not taxes.
• By law, the “Median Level of Assessments” is supposed to be 33.33% (1/3rd) of the expected Market Value of your property. When the County-wide median is less than, or greater than 33.33%, an “Equalization Factor” must be issued by the Chief County Assessment Officer (most commonly), or the Board of Review. (The median Levels of Assessment for the County steadily dropped since 2021)
• For Reference: Median Level(s) of Assessment for Fulton County (2021-2024)
2020: 29.96% (Increase of 11.25% needed)
2021: 30.17% (Increase of 10.47% needed)
2022: 30.00% (Increase of 11.10% needed)
2023: 29.35% (Increase of 13.56% needed)
2024 (Projected): 28.06%
• The Assessments office is required by law to use a “Mass Appraisal System.” There are going to be people who are “over-assessed.” Likewise, there will still be people who are under-assessed. This is where the Fulton County Board of Review comes in.
• Taxpayers may file a complaint against their assessed value with the Fulton County Board of Review. The complaints are due either in the County Assessor’s Office, or the Canton Township Assessor’s Office (if you own property in Canton Township) by 4:00 pm on Friday, February 7th, 2025. The County Clerk calculates taxes after receiving levy requests from taxing districts and the state equalization factor.
• The Taxing Districts include Schools, Fulton County, Municipalities, Townships & Roads, TIFS, Fire, Parks, FCEMA, Library’s, MTAD & Sanitary.
• A breakdown of what taxing districts you pay to, is listed on your property tax bill.
• The Treasures office collects and distributes property taxes.
• A breakdown of the final distribution is available here: https://fultoncountyil.gov/officials/elected/fulton-county-treasurer/final-settlement-sheets/
The public is encouraged to contact the Assessments Office, Clerks Office, and Treasurers Office for any assistance or clarification on Property Taxes. These offices are located at the Fulton County Courthouse located at 100 N. Main St. Lewistown, IL 61542, or you can call, 309-547-3041.
PROCLAMATIONS – None
PUBLIC REMARKS
CONSENT AGENDA
Member Barclay moved to approve with a second from Member Smith. Motion carried by roll call vote (15,0)
A. CLAIMS
a. Claims- Sheriff, Jail, Zoning, County Board, Miscellaneous, County Administrator, Public Defender, Property, Supervisor of Assessments, ESDA, Animal Control, Highway, VAC, Clayberg, Camping & Recreation, Spay & Neuter, Public Transportation, ARPA, Capital Improvements.
B. REPORTS
a. Reports- Animal Control, Treasurer, FCCRA POS Report, VAC, Zoning
b. Other Reports- Public Defender, State’s Attorney/Circuit Clerk, Sheriff, County Clerk
C. APPOINTMENTS
a. Resolution: Astoria Fire Protection District – Sherry Jennings – Trustee Appointment
b. Resolution: 377 Board Appointment – Susie Berry
D. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, ZONING
a. Amendment correcting the 2019 Ordinance Creating Zoning Provisions for the Distribution and Sale of Medical and Recreational Cannabis in Fulton County, IL from “Chapter 9.4” to “Chapter 9.6”. to the Fulton County Board.
E. COUNTY HIGHWAY
a. Resolution HWY 25-003, Agreement for 50% Reimbursement of County Engineer’s Salary
b. Resolution HWY 25-004, Appropriating Funds for Payment of the County Engineer’s Salary, 25-00000-00-CS
c. Acceptance of 2025 Maintenance Quotations
F. EXECUTIVE
G. FINANCE, INSURANCE, PERSONNEL, LEGISLATIVE
a. General Funds Transfers
b. Other Funds Transfers
c. General Funds Immediate Emergency Appropriations
d. Other Funds Immediate Emergency Appropriations
i. Resolution: $35,000.00 From: Unappropriated Fund
To: #071-127-570100 Vehicle Purchase
H. HEALTH
I. PROPERTY
J. PUBLIC SAFETY & CAMPGROUND
a. Approval of Contract for Police Services- City Of Cuba
ACTION AGENDA
A. TREASURER’S REPORT
Treasurer Mayall reported that the County audit is going on. Motor Fuel audit and work comp. The audit is also going on.
B. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, ZONING
C. COUNTY HIGHWAY
D. HEALTH
E. FINANCE, INSURANCE, PERSONNEL, LEGISLATIVE
F. PROPERTY
G. PUBLIC SAFETY & CAMPGROUND
H. EXECUTIVE
I. EXECUTIVE SESSION
a. Closed Meeting Minutes Review 5ILCS 120/2(c) (21)
Member Kessel moved to enter at 8:43 with a second from Member Southwood. Motion carried by roll call vote (15,0)
Member Keseel moved to exit at 8:45 with a second from Member Steck. Motion carried by roll call vote (15,0)
J. MISC.
a. Discussion/Action: Review Executive Sessions (July 2024 – December 2024)
Member Kessel moved to keep records closed with a second from Member L. Southwood. Motion carried by voice vote with all ayes.
K. ADJOURNMENT
Member Kessel moved to adjourn at 8:47 PM with a second from Member Kumer. The motion carried with a voice vote with all ayes.
