Commissioners’ 2nd Business Meeting
4th Overall Meeting
January 20th, 2026
10:09 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:
Mrs. DeAnna Holliday, President——–Present
Dr. Colton Copley, Vice President——–Present
Mr. Mike Finley, Member——————-Present
Summary of Meeting Minutes from January 20, 2026
Lawrence County Commissioners Meeting Highlights – January 20, 2026
The Lawrence County Board of Commissioners held its second business meeting of the year on January 20, 2026. Here is a simple summary of the main actions and updates from the meeting.
Approvals and Financial Actions
- The commissioners approved the corrected meeting minutes from January 12, 2026.
- They approved appropriations and transfers under $75,000 submitted by the County Administrator.
- They also approved a new appropriation of $3,198,057.25 submitted by the Director of Finance.
- A $65,000 CAO 2026 Administrative Contract for Services was approved. Commissioner Finley abstained from that vote.
- The board approved and signed the Ohio Department of Transportation’s Annual Highway Mileage Certification for Lawrence County.
- The commissioners approved a third amendment to a grant agreement, pending approval from the county prosecutor.
Appointments and Designations
- Commissioners Colton Copley and Mike Finley were appointed to serve on the Lawrence County Land Bank Board.
- Dylan Bentley was approved as proxy for Colton Copley, and Corey Watson was approved as proxy for Mike Finley for Land Bank matters.
- Commissioner DeAnna Holliday was named the county’s official voting representative, and Commissioner Mike Finley was named the alternate voting representative.
Roads and Community Projects
- The board approved the first step toward extending Union Township Road 1010 as a public roadway and allowed the matter to move forward to public notice, viewing, and hearing.
- The commissioners approved adding Indian Guyan Boat Ramp, Old Lock 27 Fishing Access, and Symmes Creek Boat Launch to the Ohio River Birding Trail.
- The Local Emergency Planning Committee officer sheet for the August 2025 through August 2027 term was received and filed.
Community Presentations
- Dean Greene spoke about a proposed small-scale data center project in Lawrence County. He said the project is designed to reduce noise, water use, and impact on the community while supporting local jobs and energy reliability.
- Rich Donahue gave an update on America 250 projects in Lawrence County. These ideas included courthouse displays, commemorative coins, local history books, student coloring books, tree planting, fireworks, and a possible drone show at the county fair. He asked the commissioners to consider about $35,000 in support for these efforts.
- Josh Thacker of Anchor Addiction shared an update on mobile opioid treatment units that may begin operating soon. He asked the county to consider allowing the units to use county-owned property. The commissioners said they would first seek legal guidance and review possible locations.
Personnel and Facility Actions
- The board entered executive session with Dylan Bentley and Denise Paulus to discuss personnel matters.
- After returning from executive session, the commissioners authorized the County Administrator to re-bid the recorder’s renovation project and include the old Treasurer’s Office and the old first-floor maintenance room.
- The County Administrator was also authorized to post the Dog Warden position.
The meeting ended after the board completed its business. Most votes were unanimous, with one abstention noted on the CAO contract approval.
Full Text of Meeting Minutes from January 20, 2026
Commissioners’ 2nd Business Meeting
4th Overall Meeting
January 20th, 2026
10:09 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 Finley, Seconded by Commissioner Copley
To approve the Meeting Minutes on January 12th, 2026, as corrected.
Roll Call: Commissioner Finley Yes Commissioner Holliday Yes Commissioner Copley Yes
Motion by Commissioner Holliday, Seconded by Commissioner Finley
To approve the following appropriations and transfers dated January 20th, 2026, under $75,000.00 submitted by Dylan Bentley, County Administrator.
Roll Call: Commissioner Finley Yes Commissioner Holliday Yes Commissioner Copley Yes
Motion by Commissioner Holliday, Seconded by Commissioner Copley
To make the following appropriation submitted by Parker Rowe, Director of Finance.
N21-01A-011-000 $3,198,057.25
Roll Call: Commissioner Finley Yes Commissioner Holliday Yes Commissioner Copley Yes
Motion by Commissioner Holliday, Seconded by Commissioner Copley
To appoint Colton Copley and Mike Finley to the Lawrence County Land Bank Board representing the commissioners.
Roll Call: Commissioner Finley Yes Commissioner Holliday Yes Commissioner Copley Yes
Motion by Commissioner Finley, Seconded by Commissioner Holliday
To approve Dylan Bentley as proxy for Colton Copley and Corey Watson as proxy for Mike Finley for the Lawrence County Land Bank Board.
Roll Call: Commissioner Finley Yes Commissioner Holliday Yes Commissioner Copley Yes
Motion by Commissioner Holliday, Seconded by Commissioner Copley
To approve and sign the CAO 2026 Administrative Contract for Services Agreement in the amount of $65,000, submitted by Michele Throckmorton, CAO.
Roll Call: Commissioner Finley ABSTAIN Commissioner Holliday Yes Commissioner Copley Yes
Motion by Commissioner Finley, Seconded by Commissioner Holliday
To approve and sign Ohio Department of Transportations’ Annual Highway Mileage Certification for Lawrence County.
Roll Call: Commissioner Finley Yes Commissioner Holliday Yes Commissioner Copley Yes
Motion by Commissioner Finley, Seconded by Commissioner Copley
To approve and sign the Preliminary Resolution of Intent to Establish Extension of Union Twp. Road 1010 as a Public Roadway and allow Colton Kuhn to advertise for the public viewing and public hearing.
Roll Call: Commissioner Finley Yes Commissioner Holliday Yes Commissioner Copley Yes
Motion by Commissioner Copley, Seconded by Commissioner Holliday
To designate Commissioner DeAnna Holliday as the Official Voting Representative of Lawrence County and Commissioner Mike Finley is designated as the Alternate Voting Representative of Lawrence County
Roll Call: Commissioner Finley Yes Commissioner Holliday Yes Commissioner Copley Yes
Motion by Commissioner Holliday, Seconded by Commissioner Finley
To approve the inclusion of Indian Guyan Boat Ramp, Old Lock 27 Fishing Access, and Symmes Creek Boat Launch on the Ohio River Birding Trail.
Roll Call: Commissioner Finley Yes Commissioner Holliday Yes Commissioner Copley Yes
Motion by Commissioner Finley, Seconded by Commissioner Copley
To receive and file the Local Emergency Planning Committee Officer Sheet for the term of August 2025 through August 2027.
Roll Call: Commissioner Finley Yes Commissioner Holliday Yes Commissioner Copley Yes
Motion by Commissioner Finley, Seconded by Commissioner Copley
To approve and sign the Third Amendment to Grant Agreement with a Control Number of DEV—2021 – 184169C, pending prosecutor approval.
Roll Call: Commissioner Finley Yes Commissioner Holliday Yes Commissioner Copley Yes
Dean Greene stated that he first came to Lawrence County several years ago while working on a solar project and later chose to relocate his consulting business to the area due to the community and quality of life. He explained that he encouraged Strata Expanse to locate in Lawrence County and described the company’s data centers as smaller-scale facilities designed to minimize community impacts. He stated that the facilities use geothermal cooling rather than fans, do not use water beyond normal office needs, and rely primarily on on-site energy generation, including solar, battery storage, and hydrogen fuel cells, with the electrical grid used only as a final backup. Greene stated that the facilities can provide excess power to the grid at wholesale cost and may supply power to local substations during outages to improve grid reliability. He noted that local contractors from Lawrence County are being used and that efforts were made to avoid displacing local jobs. Greene concluded by stating that the project is intended to support the local community without changing the character of Lawrence County.
Rich Donahue thanked the Commissioners for the opportunity to speak and provided an update on several America 250–related initiatives and community projects. He discussed a proposed engraved commemorative display for the Commissioners, potentially paired with a time capsule to be placed inside the courthouse. Donahue reported on the status of state and county commemorative coin sales, noting remaining inventory, increased silver costs, and plans to produce additional county coins. He outlined upcoming and ongoing activities, including county picnics at the fair and courthouse, distribution of Lawrence County–themed coloring books to fourth-grade students countywide, compilation of the Leith Report into a county history book, updates to the courthouse history book, Fourth of July fireworks on the river, Ohio Goes to the Movies events, a marker recognizing Dean State Forest, tree-planting initiatives across the county, and exploration of a drone show at the county fair as an alternative to fireworks. Donahue requested financial support from the Commissioners to assist with completing these projects, estimating a need of approximately $35,000, and stated he was available to answer questions. The Commissioners thanked Donahue for his presentation and indicated they would review available funds and follow up.
Josh Thacker, representing Anchor Addiction, provided an update on the organization’s mobile opioid use treatment units. He stated that the units are approximately 30–45 days from launch, pending final
approval from the Drug Enforcement Administration following minor requested modifications. Thacker explained that the mobile units are fully self-contained, do not require utility hookups, and would operate at designated locations for scheduled periods, potentially one day per week or more depending on community need. He requested that the County consider allowing the units to operate on county-owned property or parking areas. Thacker noted that the units will include armed security, bullet-resistant barriers, and secured medication storage in compliance with DEA requirements. Commissioners discussed the need to consult the County Prosecutor regarding liability and appropriateness of county involvement before making any decision. Thacker also stated that he is coordinating with local officials, the Health Department, Job and Family Services, and other treatment providers to ensure comprehensive care and referrals. The Commissioners indicated they would seek legal guidance and review potential properties before following up.
Motion by Commissioner Holliday, Seconded by Commissioner Copley
To meet in executive session with Dylan Bentley and Denise Paulus regarding personnel.
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 Holliday, Seconded by Commissioner Finley
To authorize County Administrator to re-bid recorder’s renovation and include the old Treasurer’s Office and the 1st floor old maintenance room.
Roll Call: Commissioner Finley Yes Commissioner Holliday Yes Commissioner Copley Yes
Motion by Commissioner Finley, Seconded by Commissioner Copley
To authorize the County Administrator to post the Dog Warden position.
Roll Call: Commissioner Finley Yes Commissioner Holliday Yes Commissioner Copley Yes
Commissioner Holliday adjourned the meeting.
______________________________________
DeAnna Holliday, President
______________________________________
Dr. Colton Copley, Vice President
______________________________________
Mike Finley, Member
Bd of Lawrence County Commissioners
Lawrence County, Ohio
ATTEST: _________________________, Clerk
Colton Kuhn, Clerk
Bd of Lawrence County Commissioners
Lawrence County, Ohio