Lawrence County Commissioners Meeting Minutes, June 2, 2026

Regular Session, 10:42 a.m. Twentieth Business Meeting (twenty-sixth overall) of the Lawrence County Board of Commissioners.

Summary

The Lawrence County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on June 2, 2026. The main actions and updates are below, with the complete record following.

Administrative approvals

  • Approved the corrected meeting minutes from May 26, 2026.
  • Approved ten floodplain permits and one amendment from the Soil and Water Conservation District, covering filling and grading, stream maintenance, bridge and culvert work, a septic system installation, and a materials storage project.
  • Approved appropriations and transfers under $75,000 dated June 2, 2026.
  • Approved a financial reversal of $2,130,000.00 from account A08-01A-061-000 to N48-10A-157-061, submitted by Parker Rowe, Director of Finance.

Agreements and resolutions

  • Approved and signed the Juvenile Court Funding Application Update (Commissioner Finley abstained; Holliday and Copley voted yes).
  • Approved and signed the 2027 Local Participating Funds Resolution for OVRDC.
  • Approved and signed the 2026 Corsa Participation Agreement.
  • Authorized Corey Watson to sign documents for the Data Comm Agreement, pending prosecutor approval.

Proclamations

  • Approved two proclamations recognizing the Johnston House & Post Office and the Lewis Brooks & Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church for their inclusion in the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom.

Personnel

  • Approved the termination of employment of Brittany Ison.
  • Following a closed executive session on personnel matters, approved two new hires effective June 8, 2026: Steven Mays as Maintenance 1 per the CBA, and William Hartman as Help Desk Technician at $55,016.00.

Public comment and staff reports

  • Tim Dickens addressed the board regarding data centers and zoning in Lawrence County, expressing concern that additional zoning regulations could hinder economic development opportunities, and citing a recently announced data center project in Boyd County, Kentucky as a model. Commissioner Holliday thanked him for attending and emphasized the importance of public input and community dialogue.
  • County Engineer Patrick Leighty reported on ongoing delays in the Engineer's Office relocation, noting outstanding work on utilities, fiber connectivity, and other site improvements. Commissioners committed to following up on outstanding issues and thanked the Engineer's Office for its patience throughout the transition.

Work session

  • A work session was held at 11:30 a.m. with the Gateway Steering Committee to discuss the Gateway Sports Complex. No official action was taken.

Executive session

  • The board entered executive session at 11:55 a.m. with Dylan Bentley, Corey Watson, and Colton Kuhn to discuss personnel matters (hire, fire). All three commissioners voted yes to enter and to return to open session.

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 Holliday, seconded by Commissioner Finley, to approve the meeting minutes of May 26, 2026, as corrected. Roll call: Finley, Holliday, and Copley voted yes.
  2. Moved by Commissioner Copley, seconded by Commissioner Finley, to approve the following floodplain permits submitted by the Soil and Water Conservation District. Roll call: Finley, Holliday, and Copley voted yes.
    • New, permit 2026-789: Sandra K. Channell — filling & grading and manufactured home projects at 60 Pvt. Dr. 8047.
    • New, permit 2026-793: Cara L. Nelson — septic system installation project at 78 Twp. Rd. 1257.
    • Renewal, permit 2026-788: Garrett V. Crawford — stream maintenance project at 6241 Co. Rd. 16.
    • Renewal, permit 2026-790: Timothy D. Martin — bridge, installation of concrete barriers, conduit in the creek for electrical and stream maintenance projects at 52 Pvt. Dr. 7184.
    • Renewal, permit 2026-791: Kirby Milem — filling & grading and bridge/culvert projects at 6339 Co. Rd. 1.
    • Renewal, permit 2026-792: Sarah B. Taylor — filling & grading and stream maintenance projects at 15875 St. Rt. 775.
    • Renewal, permit 2026-794: Eric Denney — filling & grading project at 3832 Co. Rd. 210.
    • Renewal, permit 2026-795: Frank L. Legge — filling & grading project located south of Twp. Rd. 1306.
    • Renewal, permit 2026-796: Helen Henson — materials storage project at 10141 St. Rt. 243.
    • Amendment, permit 2026-755: Josh & Christy Porter — filling & grading and bridge/culvert projects at 12597 St. Rt. 217.
  3. Moved by Commissioner Copley, seconded by Commissioner Finley, to approve the appropriations and transfers dated June 2, 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 Holliday, to approve the following reversal submitted by Parker Rowe, Director of Finance: A08-01A-061-000 to N48-10A-157-061, $2,130,000.00. Roll call: Finley, Holliday, and Copley voted yes.
  5. Moved by Commissioner Holliday, seconded by Commissioner Copley, to approve and sign the Juvenile Court Funding Application Update. Roll call: Finley abstained; Holliday and Copley voted yes.
  6. Moved by Commissioner Finley, seconded by Commissioner Copley, to approve and sign the 2027 Local Participating Funds Resolution for OVRDC. Roll call: Finley, Holliday, and Copley voted yes.
  7. Moved by Commissioner Holliday, seconded by Commissioner Copley, to approve and sign the 2026 Corsa Participation Agreement. Roll call: Finley, Holliday, and Copley voted yes.
  8. Moved by Commissioner Finley, seconded by Commissioner Copley, to approve the following personnel change: Brittany Ison — Termination of Employment. Roll call: Finley, Holliday, and Copley voted yes.
  9. Moved by Commissioner Finley, seconded by Commissioner Holliday, to approve two proclamations recognizing the Johnston House & Post Office and the Lewis Brooks & Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church for their inclusion in the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom. Roll call: Finley, Holliday, and Copley voted yes.
  10. Moved by Commissioner Holliday, seconded by Commissioner Copley, to allow Corey Watson to sign necessary documents for the Data Comm Agreement, pending prosecutor approval. Roll call: Finley, Holliday, and Copley voted yes.
  11. Moved by Commissioner Copley, seconded by Commissioner Holliday, to meet in executive session with Dylan Bentley, Corey Watson, and Colton Kuhn regarding personnel: hire, fire. Executive session was entered at 11:55 a.m. Roll call to enter: Finley, Holliday, and Copley voted yes. Call back: Finley, Holliday, and Copley voted yes.
  12. Moved by Commissioner Holliday, seconded by Commissioner Copley, to approve the following new hires, effective June 8, 2026:
    • Steven Mays — Maintenance 1, per the CBA.
    • William Hartman — Help Desk Technician, at $55,016.00.

    Roll call: Finley, Holliday, and Copley voted yes.

Public comment and staff reports

Tim Dickens addressed the Board regarding recent discussion of data centers and zoning in Lawrence County. He noted that artificial intelligence and data centers support many technologies people use every day and expressed concern that additional zoning regulations could hinder economic development opportunities. Mr. Dickens referenced a recently announced data center project in Boyd County, Kentucky, highlighting its projected investment, job creation, and tax revenue benefits. He stated that Lawrence County should have the opportunity to pursue similar projects and indicated he does not support additional zoning regulations at this time, noting that zoning decisions are ultimately a township matter. He also encouraged increased public education and communication regarding data centers. Commissioner Holliday thanked Mr. Dickens for attending the meeting and sharing his perspective, emphasizing the importance of public input and community dialogue.

County Engineer Patrick Leighty provided an update on the Engineer's Office relocation, noting that work continues on utilities, fiber connectivity, and other site improvements needed for full operation. He expressed concerns about ongoing delays and emphasized the importance of completing the remaining items as the department prepares for future operational needs. Commissioners discussed the status of permits and infrastructure improvements, committed to following up on outstanding issues, and thanked the Engineer's Office for its patience and cooperation throughout the transition.

Work session

A work session commenced at 11:30 a.m. with the Gateway Steering Committee to discuss the Gateway Sports Complex. No official action was taken.

Attestation

Commissioner Holliday adjourned the meeting. 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.

Official record

The signed minutes are the official record of this meeting.

Download the official signed minutes for June 2, 2026 (PDF)