Lawrence County Commissioners Meeting Minutes, May 26, 2026
Summary
The Lawrence County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on May 26, 2026. The main actions and updates are below, with the complete record following.
Administrative approvals
- Approved the corrected minutes from May 19, 2026.
- Approved four floodplain permits from the Soil and Water Conservation District: three renewals (stream maintenance; filling, grading, and stream maintenance; and filing, grading, and shelter projects) and one amendment (filling and grading, residential structure, and septic system installation).
- Approved appropriations and transfers under $75,000.00 dated May 26, 2026.
- Approved three additional appropriations submitted by Parker Rowe, Director of Finance: T30-999-036-000 ($1,510,201.08), T30-999-037-000 ($179,854.67), and T30-999-038-000 ($88,962.78).
Appointments and reports
- Appointed Lisa Pine to the Lawrence County Regional Planning Commission for a three-year term beginning June 1, 2026 and ending May 31, 2029. Commissioner Finley abstained from the vote.
- Received the Lawrence County Developmental Disabilities annual report from Director Julie Monroe, including updates on financial and sustainability efforts with the State and a new summer program partnership with NECO, supported by local school districts.
- Amended the Lawrence County Port Authority Board membership structure, increasing total membership from nine (9) to eleven (11) and adding dedicated seats for the current and future sitting Lawrence County Commissioners.
Personnel actions
- Approved the hire of Annika McCown as a summer intern for the Commissioners’ Office.
- Approved the termination of employees of the Lawrence County Department of Job and Family Services as recommended by the Director.
- Following an executive session regarding personnel (hire, fire), approved personnel changes effective May 25, 2026: Chuck McKnight reclassified from Maintenance 1 to Custodian, and Donna Waugh transitioned from Part-Time to Full-Time Custodian.
Other action
- Approved and signed an ARC Letter of Support for LEDC.
Community discussion
- The Board welcomed summer intern Annika McCown and discussed the recent Memorial Day Parade and community events.
- Commissioner Finley expressed his personal opposition to data centers in Lawrence County and encouraged residents to communicate with their township trustees and elected officials. The Board noted that township trustees had previously been provided information on the process and potential ballot considerations.
- Two Lawrence County EMS personnel were announced as recipients of crisis management awards to be presented at a separate ceremony.
Executive session
- The commissioners voted to enter executive session with Colton Kuhn and Corey Watson regarding personnel: hire, fire. The board returned to open session by call back vote.
Full minutes
Members present
- Mrs. DeAnna Holliday, President
- Dr. Colton Copley, Vice President
- Mr. Mike Finley, Member
Commissioner Holliday, President of the Board, opened the meeting with roll call. All three members were present.
Actions, in order
- Moved by Commissioner Holliday, seconded by Commissioner Copley, to approve the meeting minutes of May 19, 2026, as corrected. Roll call: Finley, Holliday, and Copley voted yes.
- Moved by Commissioner Finley, seconded by Commissioner Holliday, to approve the following floodplain permits submitted by the Soil and Water Conservation District. Roll call: Finley, Holliday, and Copley voted yes.
- Renewal, permit 2026-785: Edward Berry — stream maintenance project at 1982 Co. Rd. 37.
- Renewal, permit 2026-786: Johsua L. & Sarah B. Taylor — filling & grading and stream maintenance projects at 15903 St. Rt. 217.
- Renewal, permit 2026-787: Dallas Tibbs — filing & grading and four (4) post shelter by the pool projects at 9063 St. Rt. 378.
- Amendment, permit 2026-768: Ron Brewer — amend to filling & grading, residential structure and installation of a septic system projects at 82 Pvt. Dr. 220.
- Moved by Commissioner Copley, seconded by Commissioner Holliday, to approve the appropriations and transfers dated May 26, 2026, under $75,000.00, submitted by Dylan Bentley, County Administrator. Roll call: Finley, Holliday, and Copley voted yes.
- Moved by Commissioner Holliday, seconded by Commissioner Copley, to approve the following appropriations submitted by Parker Rowe, Director of Finance. Roll call: Finley, Holliday, and Copley voted yes.
- T30-999-036-000: $1,510,201.08
- T30-999-037-000: $179,854.67
- T30-999-038-000: $88,962.78
- Moved by Commissioner Copley, seconded by Commissioner Holliday, to appoint Lisa Pine to the Lawrence County Regional Planning Commission for a three-year term beginning June 1, 2026 and ending May 31, 2029. Roll call: Finley abstained; Holliday and Copley voted yes.
- Moved by Commissioner Finley, seconded by Commissioner Holliday, to approve and sign the ARC Letter of Support for LEDC. Roll call: Finley, Holliday, and Copley voted yes.
- Moved by Commissioner Finley, seconded by Commissioner Holliday, to approve the hire of Annika McCown as an intern for the Commissioners’ Office. Roll call: Finley, Holliday, and Copley voted yes.
- Moved by Commissioner Holliday, seconded by Commissioner Copley, to approve the termination of employees of the Lawrence County Department of Job and Family Services as recommended by the Director. Roll call: Finley, Holliday, and Copley voted yes.
Developmental Disabilities annual report
Julie Monroe, Director of Lawrence County Developmental Disabilities, presented the agency’s annual report and discussed ongoing financial and sustainability efforts with the State. Ms. Monroe shared that DD has partnered with NECO to provide a summer program for students, with support from local school districts. Commissioners expressed appreciation for the services and support provided by the agency to Lawrence County students and families.
- Moved by Commissioner Holliday, seconded by Commissioner Finley, to amend the membership structure of the Lawrence County Port Authority Board by increasing total membership from nine (9) to eleven (11) members and establishing positions for the current and future sitting Lawrence County Commissioners on the Board. Roll call: Finley, Holliday, and Copley voted yes.
Community discussion
The Board welcomed summer intern Annika McCown and wished her success during her internship with the Commissioners’ Office. Commissioners also discussed the recent Memorial Day Parade and community events. Commissioner Finley expressed his personal opposition to data centers in Lawrence County and encouraged residents to communicate with their township trustees and elected officials regarding the matter. The Board noted that information had previously been provided to township trustees regarding the process and potential ballot considerations. It was also announced that two Lawrence County EMS personnel would be receiving crisis management awards at a separate ceremony.
- Moved by Commissioner Holliday, seconded by Commissioner Copley, to meet in executive session with Colton Kuhn and Corey Watson regarding personnel: hire, fire. Roll call: Finley, Holliday, and Copley voted yes. The board returned to open session by call back. Roll call: Finley, Holliday, and Copley voted yes.
- Moved by Commissioner Finley, seconded by Commissioner Holliday, to make the following personnel changes effective May 25, 2026. Roll call: Finley, Holliday, and Copley voted yes.
- Chuck McKnight: Maintenance 1 to Custodian.
- Donna Waugh: Part-Time to Full-Time Custodian.
Commissioner Holliday adjourned the meeting.
Attestation
Board of Lawrence County Commissioners, Lawrence County, Ohio. Signed by DeAnna Holliday, President; Dr. Colton Copley, Vice President; and Mike Finley, Member. Attested by Colton Kuhn, Clerk, Board of Lawrence County Commissioners, Lawrence County, Ohio.
Official record
The signed minutes are the official record of this meeting.