MINUTES
FULTON COUNTY BOARD
REGULAR SESSION
September 12, 2023
Chairman Spangler called the Regular Session, September 12, 2023, meeting to order at 6:30pm 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):
James Barclay – P Daniel Kumer – P John Spangler – P
Barry Beck – P Joe Murphy – P Lisa Thompson – P
Brian Platt – P Brian Platt – A David Widger – P
Jared Heller – P Ryan Sloan – P Karl Williams – P
Laura Hepp Kessel – A L auren Southwood – P
STAFF: Cindy Simpson –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
Keith Munter – FC Highway Engineer
Austin Rhodes – Coroner
GUESTS: Cole McDaniel Hometown Consulting, LLC
MEDIA: John Froehling – Fulton Democrat
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES
A. Regular Session – August 8, 2023
Motion to approve 1st Beck 2nd Thompson. Roll call vote – All Ayes
ADDITIONS/DELETIONS TO AGENDA
Correct Knox and Ulm Bond to $1,000 in Finance/Insurance Consent item B. (b) and (c).
Appointments to London Mills Fire District Board of Trustees. Scrivener’s error corrected in the motion.
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Motion to approve 1st Murphy 2nd Southwood. Roll call vote – All Ayes
ANNOUNCEMENTS, COMMUNICATIONS AND CORRESPONDENCE
A. 9th Judicial Legal Holidays 2023
B. Hometown Consulting Quarterly update
Cole McDaniel reported on Energy Transition grants. Fulton County was approved for and
awarded $924,554.00. Waiting on correspondence on what projects it was approved for.
Breakdown of distributions to other taxing bodies affected. FCEMA received $92,000 for another
ambulance. CUSD #66 also received $1.2 million. Cole mentioned he would contact board
members regarding $4 million in tourism projects, and would meet with board members
individually in groups of two. The company is happy to do business in Fulton County because it is
so business friendly. Company will provide vision books and highlights of the project. EDP
Renewables will be first full utility solar project constructed in Fulton County. Cole is working with
Zoning Officer Emmons on specifics. It will be a 200 MegaWatt project near Ipava, off County
Road 2. Cole spoke about Buckheart Solar’s application to the federal government for Federal
dollars. Cole thanked the board for sending businesses his way connect potential business
owners with him to provide them resources. Cole discussed federal highway grant with County
Engineer Munter.
C. Resignation Campground Superintendent John and Assistant Courtney Young
D. Resignation Fulton County Board Administrative Assistant Cindy Simpson
PUBLIC REMARKS
Name: Darcie Taylor
Address:
Topic: County Money
Ms. Taylor spoke on the need of a County Administrator. She spoke on campground issues. Ms. Taylor
commented on the $250,000 for a Sally Port at the Fulton County jail. She was happy the County did not
sell the Clayberg. Spoke about issues with Bureau County nursing home. Accused the Assessor’s office
of undervaluing property and stated she thought the Assessor couldn’t do her job. Stated her property
taxes were $2,500. Then talked about WeeMatuk tax rates. Talked about discrepancies in property
valuations. Continues to talk about Weematuk properties and their tax bills.
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion to approve the consent agenda – 1st Murphy 2nd Sloan. Roll call vote – all Ayes (12-0).
A. CLAIMS
a. Claims- Sheriff, Jail, Zoning, County Board, 3Q FY23 County Board Mileage & Per Diem,
Miscellaneous, Disaster Relief, Community Development Bicentennial, County Administrator,
3Q FY23 Wellness Benefit, Public Defender, Merit, Property, Supervisor of Assessments,
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ESDA, Animal Control, Highway, VAC, Clayberg, Camping & Recreation, Spay/Neuter
Program, FCEMA FEMA, ARPA
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: Scott L. Bonney – Commissioner Reappointment – East Liverpool Drainage &
Levee District
b. Resolution: Kathy Knox – Trustee Appointment London Mills Fire Protection District
c. Resolution: Jeremiah Ulm – Trustee Appointment London Mills Fire Protection District
D. PROPERTY, COURTS, PUBLIC SAFETY & CAMPGROUND
E. FINANCE, INSURANCE, PERSONNEL, LEGISLATIVE
a. General Fund Transfer
i. Resolution: $4,600.00 From #001-021-590100 Contingency
To: #001-059-540100 Printing & Publication
ii. Resolution: $865.00 From: #001-016-525108 Contractual – County Board
To: #001-016-560100 Mileage & Travel Expenses
b. Other Funds Transfers
c. General Fund Immediate Emergency Appropriations
d. Other Fund Immediate Emergency Appropriations
e. GASB 74/75 Letter of Engagement
f. Resolution: Trustee Parcels
F. COUNTY HIGHWAY
G. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, ZONING, 200th ANNIVERSARY
H. EXECUTIVE
I. HEALTH
J. MISC.
ACTION AGENDA
TREASURER’S REPORT
Treasurer Mayall stated a little over $39 million has been collected and distributed. $2.8 million still
needs to be collected. She gave deadlines for receiving certified late notices, publications, and last day
to pay property taxes. Announced the tax sale is October 27th at 9:00 a.m. Discussed A/P clearing and
payroll. Announced income and expense. Monthly deficit of $88,500. Praised the committee for the Bi-
Centennial Celebration. Discussed ARPA interest income. Has not moved the money from the General
Fund to accrue interest. Said General Fund will suffer when revenue is moved in the next budget year.
Thanked Member Thompson for her help with Timeclock Plus project. Thanked Assessor Russell for a
job well done.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, ZONING & 200TH ANNIVERSARY
Chairman Spangler thanked Vice Chair Kessel for her work on the Bi-Centennial Celebration. Urged
Board members to thank Vice Chair Kessel when they see her.
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COUNTY HIGHWAY
Member Heller reported that the Co. Hwy 2 bridge will be open by October 7th. Bid openings for the new
Highway building will be done at 2 p.m. on 9/13/23.
HEALTH
1. Discussion/Action: Vacation Carry over
Member Thompson notified board that some employees could not use vacation time due to
staffing shortages and asked the board to allow payouts to those employees so they would not
lose the benefit. Chairman Spangler explained they can accumulate for 2 years then they lose
it. Member Murphy urged the Board to follow the Union Contract. Member Southwood asked
the cost. Member Thompson report $2,600. Member Williams asked if they could carry it over.
That would be a violation of the bargaining agreement. Motion carried.
Motion to approve 1st Thompson 2nd Widger. Roll call vote carried (10-2).
FINANCE, INSURANCE, PERSONNEL, LEGISLATIVE
1. Discussion/Action: RFP for Auditor – Gray Hunter Stenn
RFP was issued and 1 response was received from Gray, Hunter, and Stenn for a 3 year term.
Chairman Spangler asked how many years we have used them. Treasurer Mayall answered
with 8 years. Mayall emailed other Auditing firms and the County still only received one
response. Motion carried.
Motion to approve 1st Thompson 2nd Beck. Roll call vote – all Ayes (12-0).
2. Discussion/Action: Election Judge Pay increase
Member Thompson reported that Clerk O’Brian presented a study by neighboring counties
comparing each counties’ election judge pay. Resolution was read by Clerk O’Brian to
increase base election judge pay from $145, with a $20 bonus for attending class, to $200 for
a base and a $20 bonus, plus IRS mileage for those that return election materials to the
Courthouse. Previously Election judge pay was not consistent. This will memorialize it and
streamline it in the form of a resolution and should alleviate confusion. O’Brian commented
the state is increasing their election judge contribution by $20. Motion carried.
Motion to approve 1st Thompson 2nd Murphy. Roll call vote – all Ayes (12-0).
Member Thompson stated that next month the Finance committee will presenting the FY 24
budget. She sated the County general fund lost close to $1 million dollars in fiscal years 17-
20; $939,000 to be exact. Stated repairs and improvements were neglected. Stated that in
2020 the General Fund only had 2 ½ months of cash reserves. Stated the Highway building is
an example of neglect. Talked about PPRT increased 68% in FY 21. ARPA invested $3.37
million in local economy and continues to fund projects around the County. In 2022, PPRT
doubled and County reserves increased to 6 months of operating expenses. 2023 budget
included funds for capital improvements and invested in contingency. Discussed revenues
were 5% above budget and expenses were 10% below projection. Said PPRT will decrease
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$2 million dollars in FY 24. Stated cost of employees are 69% of the General Fund budget.
Budget currently sits at a million dollar deficit. Adjustments will be made after Health
Insurance renewals are received. Stated a life safety study showed the Fulton County
Courthouse needs $15 million dollars in repairs.
PROPERTY, COURTS, PUBLIC SAFETY & CAMPGROUND
Member Williams reported that Spoon River Mechanical looked at hot water for Courthouse restrooms.
Cannot use Sourcewell for the jail Sally Port project. Will move forward looking at other avenues to fund it.
He will call an architect tomorrow to get an estimate. Holthaus construction gave a bid for the board office
roof and gutters for $22,000. Only received bid from them and it was approved. Stated Supt. Young’s last
day at the Campground will be Oct 1st. Committee discussed a campground host and contract out
maintenance work. Would alleviate repair costs, etc. Further discussion was had regarding concern over
tenets of the lease with MWRD stating that an onsite Superintendent is required. SA Jochums will look into
it. Member Williams was not optimistic of getting someone hired in the near future. Concern was shared
by Comptroller Miles and Treasurer Mayall regarding how bills would be paid. Chairman Spangler said he
was impressed with the committee’s decision. Member Kumer stated that during previous Superintendent
transitions, board members volunteered to fill the position temporarily.
EXECUTIVE SESSION – None
MISC. – None
ADJOURNMENT
Time: 7:32 p.m.
Motion to adjourn, 1st Kumer, 2nd Thompson. Roll call vote – all Ayes (12-0).
_________________________________
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 September 12, 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 10th day of October, 2023.
_________________________________
John Spangler
Fulton County Board Chairman
