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During public remarks, Dean Wright of Meister Electric of Peoria, addressed the board asking them to work on encouraging rather than restricting wind energy system building. He asked the board to slow down and offered to help board members study the issue further.
Wright had already submitted a letter to Fulton County Board Chairman Ed Ketcham about problems concerning the proposed ordinances concerning small wind energy systems.
The letter noted the ordinances addressed non-siting issues such as color, operation, safety, noise levels, and removal of wind systems.
"We think siting is the only issue that the County need address," said the letter. "This can be accomplished easily by regulating the tower only, which is a structure that the County has authority to regulate."
The letter went on to say the effect of the ordinances would be to discourage such systems and that parts of the ordinance were too broad and outside the county's authority. It also claimed other portions of the ordinance were unnecessary.
The letter ended by recommending, among other things, amending existing ordinances; recognizing problems with height restrictions; recognizing most installations will be on farms which are exempt from many of the regulations, thus putting unfair burdens on non-farm wind installations; recognizing ordinances and high fees are disincentives to renewable energy sources; recognizing wind turbines are inherently safe devices; and recognizing "people do not need or want the County to make us safe from ourselves on our own property."
Board member George Hall, who submitted the ordinances, said he appreciated Wright's input but noted the board needed some kind of control in place before the wind conversion systems were put into place. He added he had been in touch with a wind energy company in Minnesota who said the regulations were in line with what they expected. He also said the company told him a 69 KV line was a necessity for wind energy systems, and Hall said the county did have one.
In answer to a question about the legality of the county's action, Fulton County State's Attorney John Clark told the board Illinois law allowed for the altering of regulations for large and small wind farms.
County Administrator Mark Lynch also spoke to the board, noting there were ordinances in place specifically for Illinois counties which encouraged wind energy systems and set uniform, balanced ground rules for their regulation.
Board member Ron Zessin asked the board to table the ordinance vote to give him more time to study the issue. He said he did not feel four days was enough time to allow him to make the proper decision on the matter.
Other board members also said they would like more time, but went ahead to approve the ordinances.
Ron Zessin and Don Zessin cast the two no votes for the ordinances for small wind energy conversion systems. Ron Zessin also cast the lone no vote for the ordinances for large wind energy conversion systems.
The board also voted to approve a $600,000 loan to the Fulton County Health Department to fund a dental clinic.
It was anticipated the county would be repaid in eight years, although no repayment schedule was included in the resolution.
Board member Robert Bucher said he felt funding the clinic would be a good use of taxpayers' money.
Board member Dan Kumer cast the only vote against the measure, although other board members asked about a payment schedule.
"I am not against good use of taxpayers' money and I am not against the dental clinic," Kumer said. "I think we should have a written contract and a time table for payment, as well as a line item so we know when it has been paid back. We need a record."
"I want to go on record that my vote was not against the dental clinic," said Kumer after the meeting. "I am concerned that there should be a contract with a deadline date and a line item so both we and the health department are covered.
"When you deal with taxpayers' money in such large amounts, there should be security and accountability. I am concerned for the best interest of the taxpayers."
Mary England, Administrator of the Health Department, said 38 percent of Fulton County residents are low income and that at least 14,000 would use the dental clinic. She added residents of Mason County, including about 3,000 children, would also use the services. As businesses continue to cut benefits, England said, more people would be needing the clinic.
England projected ("very conservatively," she said) if 10 children and 10 adults used the clinic each day, the weekly income would be $14,800. In 45 weeks, the income would be over $669,000. She added no Fulton County dentist took Medicare patients, which the clinic would.
After the vote, England thanked the board, saying the clinic was "desperately needed to lessen the pain and suffering" of Fulton County residents, and that the health department can be started sooner now that the board has voted to loan the funds.
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