Commissioners’ Organizational Meeting
1st Overall Meeting
January 12th, 2026
9:07 a.m. and 9:17 a.m.
The Lawrence County Board of Commissioners met in a Regular Session on the above date and time.
Commissioner Copley, President of the Board, opened the meeting with roll call:
Dr. Colton Copley, President———–—-Present
Mrs. DeAnna Holliday, Vice President—Present
Mr. Mike Finley, Member——————-Present
Summary of Meeting Minutes from January 12, 2026
Lawrence County Commissioners Meeting Highlights – January 12, 2026
The Lawrence County Board of Commissioners held an organizational meeting and a regular business meeting on January 12, 2026. During the meetings, the board selected its leadership for the year, set its meeting schedule, approved financial and administrative items, made appointments, and discussed community concerns.
Board Organization for 2026
- Commissioner DeAnna Holliday was appointed President of the Lawrence County Commissioners for 2026.
- Commissioner Colton Copley was appointed Vice President for 2026.
- The board set regular business meetings for every Tuesday at 10:00 a.m.
- Work sessions were set for every Thursday at 10:00 a.m. and every Tuesday from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Administrative and Financial Approvals
- The commissioners approved the corrected meeting minutes from December 2, 2025.
- Several new and renewed floodplain permits were approved for projects across Lawrence County.
- The board approved appropriations and transfers dated January 12 under $75,000, along with appropriation deductions.
- The 2025 end-of-year transfers and appropriations were received and filed.
- The 2025 final budget was approved and adopted.
- A consulting services agreement between the Perry County Auditor’s Office and the Lawrence County Auditor’s Office was approved.
- The board received the County Auditor’s certificate confirming that appropriations do not exceed official resource estimates.
Appointments, Contracts, and Other Actions
- Commissioner Mike Finley was appointed to the Storm Water Task Force.
- The board responded to liquor permit requests for Speedway LLC in South Point and Lawrence Kash Stop Inc. in Chesapeake.
- The Lawrence County Department of Job and Family Services monthly report for November 2025 was received and filed.
- Missy Evans, DJFS Director, was authorized as the signing designee for Inter-County Adjustments of Allocations for calendar year 2026.
- Child Support Enforcement Agency Title IV-D contracts were approved, pending prosecutor approval.
- Kevin Turvey was approved as the 2026 Lawrence County Apiary Inspector.
- The board received and filed correspondence about zoning regulation filings between the Recorder and Township Office.
- A donation of $2,466 from B90 to Third and Center was approved for the item to remain at the senior center.
- The resignation of Kelly Brock and Cole Webb from the Rural Water Board was approved, and Michelle Lybrand and Cecil Mays were added.
- Commissioner DeAnna Holliday was appointed as the commissioners’ representative for the Board of Revision.
- Juvenile residential contracts for Adams, Fayette, Gallia, and Scioto counties were approved for 2026.
Personnel Changes
- Matthew Hurst was approved as a new hire for CPS Investigator.
- Brandon Southers was approved as a seasonal hire for the Animal Shelter.
Community Discussion
- A resident shared concerns about the proposed AI data center project and the Lawrence Economic Development Corporation, including questions about communication, oversight, and possible impacts on nearby homes, utilities, and historic resources.
- Commissioners explained that the project involved a private land sale between private parties and said the county does not have zoning or land-use authority to stop that type of development after the fact.
- The board encouraged township-level planning and zoning efforts and said it supports transparency and community engagement.
- The board also heard an update about HVAC issues at the county jail during the holiday period. Representatives said contractors responded quickly, system improvements were made at no added cost to the county, and the county would not be billed for that extra work.
Executive Sessions
- The commissioners entered executive session to discuss real estate, legal contracts, and personnel matters.
The meeting ended after all listed actions were approved by roll call vote, with a few noted abstentions on selected financial items.
Full Text of Meeting Minutes from January 12, 2026
Commissioners’ Organizational Meeting
1st Overall Meeting
January 12th, 2026
9:07 a.m.
The Lawrence County Board of Commissioners met in a Regular Session on the above date and time.
Commissioner Copley, President of the Board, opened the meeting with roll call:
Dr. Colton Copley, President Present
Mrs. DeAnna Holliday, Vice President Present
Mr. Mike Finley, Member Present
Motion by Commissioner Finley, Seconded by Commissioner Copley
To appoint Commissioner DeAnna Holliday as the 2026 Lawrence County Commissioners President.
Roll Call: Commissioner Finley Yes Commissioner Holliday Yes Commissioner Copley Yes
Motion by Commissioner Finley, Seconded by Commissioner Holliday
To appoint Commissioner Colton Copley as the 2026 Lawrence County Commissioner Vice-President.
Roll Call: Commissioner Finley Yes Commissioner Holliday Yes Commissioner Copley Yes
Motion by Commissioner Holliday, Seconded by Commissioner Finley
To set the 2026 Lawrence County Commissioner Business Meetings for every Tuesday at 10:00AM.
Roll Call: Commissioner Finley Yes Commissioner Holliday Yes Commissioner Copley Yes
Motion by Commissioner Holliday, Seconded by Commissioner Finley
To set the 2026 Lawrence County Commissioner Work Sessions for every Thursday at I 0:00AM and
every Tuesday from 8:00AM to 10:00AM.
Roll Call: Commissioner Finley Yes Commissioner Holliday Yes Commissioner Copley Yes
Commissioner Holliday adjourned the meeting.
Commissioners’ !81 Business Meeting
2nd Overall Meeting
January 12, 2026
9:17 a.m.
The Lawrence County Board of Commissioners met in a Regular Session on the above date and time.
Commissioner Holliday, President of the Board, opened the meeting with roll call:
Mrs. DeAnna Holliday, President Present
Dr. Colton Copley, Vice President Present
Mr. Mike Finley, Member Present
Motion by Commissioner Copley, Seconded by Commissioner Finley
To approve the Meeting Minutes on December 2nd, 2025, as corrected.
Roll Call: Commissioner Finley Yes Commissioner Holliday Yes Commissioner Copley Yes
Motion by Commissioner Holliday, Seconded by Commissioner Copley
To approve the following floodplain permits submitted by the Soil and Water Conservation District:
New:
2026-703 Columbia Gas of Ohio, Inc.-Pipeline replacement project located at 561 Co. Rd. 3
Renewal:
2026-701 Steven W. Baker-Filling & grading project located at 23306 St. Rt. 141
2026-702 Steven W. Baker-Manufactured Home project located at 23306 St. Rt. 141
2026-704 Joyce Rambacher-Filling & grading project located at 836 & 876 Co. Rd. 119
2026-705 Jay A. & Debra Hatcher-Filling & grading, Boat ramp and Residential structure projects located
at 8358 Co. Rd. 1
2026-706 James Lundy-Non-residential structure project located at 378 Co. Rd. 403
2026-707 Randy Thompson-Filling & grading, Stream maintenance and Accessory structure projects
located at 4207 St. Rt. 141
2026-708 Patricia Tackett-Bridge/culvert, Manufactured home and drainage projects located at 38 Pvt.
Rd. 50
2026-709 Cody Walter-Stream maintenance project located at 25022 St. Rt. 93
2026-710 Lawrence County Commissioners- Debris Removal from boat launches and Stream maintenance
projects Multiple County Wide
2026-711 Riley Development Company, Inc.-Materials storage project located North of 142 Co. Rd. 403
2026-712 Riley Development Company, Inc.-Filling & grading and Materials storage projects located SW
of 142 Co. Rd. 403
2026-713 Ronald Farmer-Filling & Grading project located on Co. Rd. 66
2026-714 Cathy Thompson-Filling & grading and Stream maintenance projects located at 207 Twp. Rd.
212S
2026-715 Tom Schneider-Stream maintenance, Filling & grading and Subsurface drainage projects
located at 488 Co. Rd. 61 & Twp. Rd. l 14S
2026-716 Jerome Monnig-Stream maintenance and Bank stabilization projects located at 6772 St. Rt. 650
Roll Call: Commissioner Finley Yes Commissioner Holliday Yes Commissioner Copley Yes
Motion by Commissioner Holliday, Seconded by Commissioner Copley
To approve the following appropriations and transfers dated January 12th, under $75,000.00 submitted by
Dylan Bentley, County Administrator.
Roll Call: Commissioner Finley ABSTAIN Commissioner Holliday Yes Commissioner Copley Yes
Motion by Commissioner Finley, Seconded by Commissioner Copley
To approve the following appropriation deductions, submitted by Parker Rowe, Director of Finance.
N23-l 9C-004-000 ($77,937.87)
S50-12E-006-000 ($303889.58)
Roll Call: Commissioner Finley Yes Commissioner Holliday Yes Commissioner Copley Yes
Motion by Commissioner Holliday, Seconded by Commissioner Copley
To receive, file and journalize the 2025 End of Year Transfers and Appropriations.
Roll Call: Commissioner Finley ABSTAIN Commissioner Holliday Yes Commissioner Copley Yes
Motion by Commissioner Copley, Seconded by Commissioner Holliday
To approve and adopt the 2025 Final Budget submitted by Parker Rowe, Director of Finance.
Roll Call: Commissioner Finley Yes Commissioner Holliday Yes Commissioner Copley Yes
Motion by Commissioner Finley, Seconded by Commissioner Holliday
To approve and sign the Consulting Services Agreement between Perry County Auditor’s office and
Lawrence County Auditor’s Office
Roll Call: Commissioner Finley Yes Commissioner Holliday Yes Commissioner Copley Yes
Motion by Commissioner Holliday, Seconded by Commissioner Finley
To receive and file the Certificate of County Auditor That the Total Appropriations from Each Fund Do
Not Exceed the Official Estimate of Resources
Roll Call: Commissioner Finley Yes Commissioner Holliday Yes Commissioner Copley Yes
Motion by Commissioner Holliday, Seconded by Commissioner Copley
To appoint Commissioner Mike Finley to the Storm Water Task Force, as requested by Kim Carrico.
Roll Call: Commissioner Finley ABSTAIN Commissioner Holliday Yes Commissioner Copley Yes
Motion by Commissioner Copley, Seconded by Commissioner Finley
To respond to the Liquor Permit Request for Speedway LLC at 294 CR-410 South Point requested by the
Division of Liquor Control.
Roll Call: Commissioner Finley Yes Commissioner Holliday Yes Commissioner Copley Yes
Motion by Commissioner Finley, Seconded by Commissioner Copley
To respond to the Liquor Permit Request for Lawrence Kash Stop Inc. at 3667 SR-7 Chesapeake
requested by the Division of Liquor Control.
Roll Call: Commissioner Finley Yes Commissioner Holliday Yes Commissioner Copley Yes
Motion by Commissioner Holliday, Seconded by Commissioner Finley
To receive and file the Lawrence County Department of Job and Family Services
Monthly Report-Ending November 2025.
Roll Call: Commissioner Finley Yes Commissioner Holliday Yes Commissioner Copley Yes
Motion by Commissioner Finley, Seconded by Commissioner Copley
To approve the following personnel change:
Matthew Hurst New Hire as CPS Investigator
Roll Call: Commissioner Finley Yes Commissioner Holliday Yes Commissioner Copley Yes
Motion by Commissioner Copley, Seconded by Commissioner Finley
To authorize Missy Evans, Director DJFS as signing designee for the Inter-County Adjustments of
Allocations for Calendar Year 2026.
Roll Call: Commissioner Finley Yes Commissioner Holliday Yes Commissioner Copley Yes
Motion by Commissioner Finley, Seconded by Commissioner Holliday
To approve and sign the LCDJFS Child Support Enforcement Agency Title IV-D contracts, pending
prosecutor approval.
Roll Call: Commissioner Finley Yes Commissioner Holliday Yes Commissioner Copley Yes
Motion by Commissioner Finley, Seconded by Commissioner Holliday
To approve Kevin Turvey as the 2026 Lawrence County Apiary Inspector, yearly rate of $2,000.00 and
reimbursement for mileage with a request to report once in QI and three times between May-September.
Roll Call: Commissioner Finley Yes Commissioner Holliday Yes Commissioner Copley Yes
Motion by Commissioner Finley, Seconded by Commissioner Holliday
To receive and file the correspondence between the Recorder and Township Office’s regarding zoning
regulation filings.
Roll Call: Commissioner Finley Yes Commissioner Holliday Yes Commissioner Copley Yes
Motion by Commissioner Finley, Seconded by Commissioner Copley
To approve the donation of $2,466.0 from B90 to Third and Center and for the item to remain at the
senior center.
Roll Call: Commissioner Finley Yes Commissioner Holliday Yes Commissioner Copley Yes
Motion by Commissioner Copley, Seconded by Commissioner Finley
To approve the resignation of Kelly Brock and Cole Webb from the Rural Water Board and add Michelle
Lybrand and Cecil Mays.
Roll Call: Commissioner Finley Yes Commissioner Holliday Yes Commissioner Copley Yes
Motion by Commissioner Finley, Seconded by Commissioner Copley
To appoint DeAnna Holliday as the representative for the Commissioners for the Board of Revision.
Roll Call: Commissioner Finley Yes Commissioner Holliday Yes Commissioner Copley Yes
Ms. Fletcher shared community concerns related to the AI data center project and the Lawrence Economic
Development Corporation (LEDC), including questions about governance structure, communication, and
potential impacts on nearby residential areas, utilities, and historic resources. She noted that township
officials and residents were not aware of the project prior to visible site activity and expressed interest in
understanding how future developments of this type could be addressed.
Commissioners provided clarification regarding their appointed, non-voting roles with the LEDC and
explained that the project involved a private land transaction between private entities. They stated that the
County does not have zoning or land-use authority and therefore cannot take action to alter or prevent
such development after the fact. Commissioners emphasized that zoning and protective measures must be
pursued proactively at the township level and encouraged continued engagement with township trustees,
noting upcoming meetings to discuss potential zoning options. Questions regarding LEDC oversight were
addressed by explaining that it is a private nonprofit organization that completes annual audits and issues
an annual report. Commissioners expressed support for township-led planning efforts and reaffirmed their
commitment to transparency and community engagement.
Mr. Phelps addressed the Board alongside John Ferrigonio and Joe Franchini to discuss recent HVAC
challenges at the county jail during the holiday period. He stated that, once the issue was brought to
ABM’s attention, contractors were promptly mobilized to address the problem. ABM also made
additional system enhancements at no cost to the County and confirmed the County will not be billed for
that work.
Mr. Phelps emphasized ABM’s commitment to Lawrence County and to the ESCO project, noting the
firm-fixed pricing, system performance guarantees, and absence of change orders. Commissioners
expressed appreciation for ABM’s responsiveness, continued involvement, and willingness to stand
behind the project and its performance, with the shared goal of reducing future issues and ensuring longterm
system reliability.
Motion by Commissioner Holliday, Seconded by Commissioner Finley
To meet in executive session with Dylan Bentley and Corey Watson regarding real estate.
Roll Call: Commissioner Finley Yes Commissioner Holliday Yes Commissioner Copley Yes
Call Back: Roll Call: Commissioner Finley Yes Commissioner Holliday Yes Commissioner Copley Yes
Motion by Commissioner Finley, Seconded by Commissioner Holliday
To meet in executive session with Dylan Bentley and Corey Watson regarding legal contracts.
Roll Call: Commissioner Finley Yes Commissioner Holliday Yes Commissioner Copley Yes
Call Back: Roll Call: Commissioner Finley Yes Commissioner Holliday Yes Commissioner Copley Yes
Motion by Commissioner Copley, Seconded by Commissioner Holliday
To approve and sign the Juvenile Residential Contracts for Adams, Fayette, Gallia, and Scioto Counties
from January I, 2026, through December 3 1, 2026
Roll Call: Commissioner Finley Yes Commissioner Holliday Yes Commissioner Copley Yes
Motion by Commissioner Copley, Seconded by Commissioner Holliday
To meet in executive session with Dylan Bentley regarding personnel.
Roll Call: Commissioner Finley Yes Commissioner Holliday Yes
Call Back: Roll Call: Commissioner Finley Yes Commissioner Holliday
Motion by Commissioner Holliday, Seconded by Commissioner Finley
To make the following personnel change:
Brandon Southers Seasonal Hire – Animal Shelter
Roll Call: Commissioner Finley Yes Commissioner Holliday Yes
Commissioner Holliday adjourned the meeting.
Commissioner Copley Yes
Commissioner Copley Yes
Commissioner Copley Yes