Lawrence County Commissioners Meeting Minutes, May 5, 2026

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

1. Moved by Commissioner Finley, seconded by Commissioner Holliday, to approve the meeting minutes of April 28, 2026, as corrected. Roll call: Finley, Holliday, and Copley voted yes.
2. Moved by Commissioner Finley, seconded by Commissioner Copley, to approve the following floodplain permit renewals submitted by the Soil and Water Conservation District. Roll call: Finley, Holliday, and Copley voted yes.
   • Renewal, permit 2026-777: B. F. Iron & Metal Inc. — Filling & grading, culvert, accessory structure and barge repair facility projects at 582 Co. Rd. 1A.
   • Renewal, permit 2026-778: Randy Carpenter — Stream maintenance project at 414 Co. Rd. 54.
   • Renewal, permit 2026-779: John W. Herman & Terri L. Brammer — Filling & grading and manufactured home projects at 1384 Co. Rd. 9.
3. Moved by Commissioner Holliday, seconded by Commissioner Copley, to approve the appropriations and transfers dated May 5, 2026, under $75,000.00, submitted by Dylan Bentley, County Administrator. Roll call: Finley, Holliday, and Copley voted yes.
4. Moved by Commissioner Finley, seconded by Commissioner Copley, to authorize the County Administrator to prepare, advertise, and receive bids for the carpet replacement project for Recorder’s, Old Treasurer’s and Old Maintenance Offices, with final award and contract execution subject to Board approval. Roll call: Finley, Holliday, and Copley voted yes.
5. Moved by Commissioner Finley, seconded by Commissioner Holliday, to sign the letter to the municipal court regarding ground maintenance for the airport. Roll call: Finley, Holliday, and Copley voted yes.
6. Moved by Commissioner Holliday, seconded by Commissioner Copley, to approve and sign the Contract for Hosted Online Index Books – Mortgages. Roll call: Finley, Holliday, and Copley voted yes.
7. Moved by Commissioner Copley, seconded by Commissioner Holliday, to approve and sign the AEP Service Agreement. Roll call: Finley, Holliday, and Copley voted yes.

8. Moved by Commissioner Finley, seconded by Commissioner Copley, to proclaim May 2026 as Mental Health Awareness Month. Roll call: Finley, Holliday, and Copley voted yes.

   Sue Schultz, Executive Director of the Behavioral Health Board, expressed her gratitude and appreciation. She emphasized the importance of mental health both professionally and personally, noting its impact on families, and thanked the commissioners for their support and efforts.

9. Moved by Commissioner Holliday, seconded by Commissioner Finley, to proclaim May 2026 as Older Americans Month. Roll call: Finley, Holliday, and Copley voted yes.

   Teresa Reed-Powell from the Area Agency on Aging highlighted the strong support for seniors in Lawrence County, noting the county’s two senior centers and the goal of helping older adults remain safely at home. She shared service data, including 786 seniors served through PASSPORT, 71 in assisted living, and 148 through Older Americans Act programs such as transportation and home-delivered meals, with hopes to expand congregate meals. She expressed excitement about future senior initiatives, invited commissioners to join the advisory council (meeting quarterly), and emphasized the success of the farmers market program — while noting reduced funding has significantly cut participation. She indicated interest in seeking additional support and funding to continue serving seniors effectively.

   Melissa Brammer, a representative of the Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce, spoke in support of local small businesses. She thanked the commissioners for recognizing Small Business Week and emphasized that small businesses are the backbone of the community. Drawing from personal experience as a former small business owner, she highlighted the challenges entrepreneurs face and the importance of community support — noting that even small purchases can make a big difference. She also noted the Chamber’s strengthened partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration, including training programs to equip local business owners with tools and confidence. She encouraged residents to support local businesses and expressed appreciation to the commissioners on behalf of the Chamber.

10. Moved by Commissioner Holliday, seconded by Commissioner Copley, to meet in executive session with Dylan Bentley, Colton Kuhn, and Patrick Leighty regarding real estate. Roll call: Finley, Holliday, and Copley voted yes. Call back roll call: Finley, Holliday, and Copley voted yes. Executive session ended at 10:30 a.m. because Patrick Leighty did not arrive.
11. Moved by Commissioner Finley, seconded by Commissioner Holliday, to meet in executive session with Dylan Bentley, Colton Kuhn, and Corey Watson regarding personnel; hire, fire, reprimand. Roll call: Finley, Holliday, and Copley voted yes. Call back roll call: Finley, Holliday, and Copley voted yes. Commissioner Holliday and Colton Kuhn left the meeting at 11:30 a.m.
12. Moved by Commissioner Finley, seconded by Commissioner Copley, to meet in executive session with Dylan Bentley, Colton Kuhn, and Corey Watson regarding real estate. Roll call: Finley, Holliday, and Copley voted yes. Call back roll call: Finley, Holliday, and Copley voted yes. Commissioner Holliday and Colton Kuhn returned to the meeting at 12:15 p.m.
13. Moved by Commissioner Finley, seconded by Commissioner Copley, to authorize the Support Services Director to change job descriptions of personnel and send to AFSCME Local 890(2). Roll call: Finley, Holliday, and Copley voted yes.
14. Moved by Commissioner Finley, seconded by Commissioner Copley, to list the two vacant Custodian and Maintenance I positions to AFSCME Local 890(2); if left vacant, to allow the administrator to post listings externally. Roll call: Finley, Holliday, and Copley voted yes.
15. Moved by Commissioner Finley, seconded by Commissioner Copley, to approve the purchase agreement with EJTR LTD in an amount not to exceed $150,000 and to authorize payment of customary closing costs associated with the transaction; the County Administrator is authorized to execute all documents necessary to complete the closing, subject to review and approval by the Lawrence County Prosecutor. Roll call: Finley, Holliday, and Copley voted yes.
16. Moved by Commissioner Finley, seconded by Commissioner Copley, to approve the donation to Lawrence County Senior Center in the amount of $5,500. Roll call: Finley, Holliday, and Copley voted yes.
17. Moved by Commissioner Finley, seconded by Commissioner Copley, to approve the donation to Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce in the amount of $10,000. Roll call: Finley, Holliday, and Copley voted yes.
18. Moved by Commissioner Finley, seconded by Commissioner Copley, to authorize the Clerk to advertise a Request for Information for the Juvenile Center Roof. Roll call: Finley, Holliday, and Copley voted yes.

19. Moved by Commissioner Copley, seconded by Commissioner Holliday, to approve the following transfer and appropriation.

    • Transfer: A08-01A-061-000 to N48-10A-157-061 for $2,130,000.
    • Appropriate: N48-10A-018-108 for $2,130,000.

    Roll call: Commissioner Finley abstained; Holliday and Copley voted yes.

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.