Lawrence County Commissioners Meeting Minutes, June 30, 2026

Regular Session, 10:00 a.m. 24th Business Meeting (34th overall) of the Lawrence County Board of Commissioners. Commissioner Holliday was absent; Commissioner Copley presided.

Summary

The Lawrence County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on June 30, 2026. Two of three members were present. The main actions and updates are below, with the complete record following.

Troop 106 proclamation

  • The commissioners proclaimed the week of June 28 through July 4, 2026 as “Troop 106 Week,” marking the 100th Anniversary of Troop 106.
  • Scoutmaster Dave Lucas accepted the proclamation, shared a brief history of the troop, and highlighted an upcoming Eagle Scout veterans’ headstone restoration project. Senior Patrol Leader Tristan McGraw led the Scout Oath.

Administrative approvals

  • Approved the meeting minutes of June 23, 2026, as corrected.
  • Approved two floodplain permit renewals from the Soil and Water Conservation District: a filling and grading project (permit 2026-803) and a stream maintenance project (permit 2026-804).
  • Approved appropriations and transfers under $75,000.00 dated June 30, 2026, submitted by the County Administrator.
  • Approved a $200,000 appropriation (account T30-999-036-000) submitted by the Director of Finance.
  • Approved the letter of commitment for the READY Local Governments Training Program.

Permits and advocacy

  • Approved the liquor permit response form for Ohio Springs Inc, Sheetz, at 66 TWP RD 276 N. Fayette Township.
  • Approved letters of support to the county’s state representatives and senators for a proposed regional Medicaid waiver administration plan, as requested by the Lawrence County Board of Developmental Disabilities.

Personnel

  • Following an executive session on personnel matters, approved seven new hires pending BCI/FBI background checks and drug screens: five IM positions, one Screener, and one CPS Supervisor.

Presentations and reports

  • Julie Monroe outlined financial challenges facing the Lawrence County Board of Developmental Disabilities due to rising Medicaid match obligations and requested commissioner support for a state proposal to regionalize Medicaid waiver administration, allowing local levy funds to support local programs.
  • Rich Donahue provided updates on upcoming America 250 events and the Black Fork veterans memorial project, and raised concerns about deteriorating advertising benches on courthouse property. The commissioners agreed to investigate the ownership, advertising arrangement, and maintenance responsibility for the benches.
  • Brian Collins presented plans for a community meal initiative and culinary school to address food insecurity among seniors and homebound residents through donated food, volunteer partnerships, and grant funding. The commissioners expressed their support.
  • Clerk of Courts Mike Patterson reported that his office must transition to a new digital certified mail system due to the discontinuation of its current provider, and that a vendor contract will be presented after evaluation.
  • EMS Director Dave Hamm reported on the National EMS Memorial Bike Ride’s Moving Honors stop in Lawrence County honoring the late Mike Campbell, who will also be recognized at the National EMS Memorial Service in Arlington, Virginia.

Executive sessions

  • The commissioners entered executive session regarding personnel matters (hire, fire) with Dylan Bentley, Missy Evans, and Colton Kuhn, then returned to open session and approved seven new hires.
  • The commissioners entered a second executive session regarding real estate and legal contracts with Dylan Bentley and Colton Kuhn, then returned to open session, after which Commissioner Copley adjourned the meeting.

Full minutes

Members present

  • Mrs. DeAnna Holliday, President — Absent
  • Dr. Colton Copley, Vice President — Present
  • Mr. Mike Finley, Member — Present

Commissioner Copley, President of the Board, opened the meeting with roll call. Commissioner Holliday was absent; Commissioners Copley and Finley were present.

Proclamation

Moved by Commissioner Copley, seconded by Commissioner Finley, to proclaim the week of June 28 through July 4, 2026 “Troop 106 Week.” Roll call: Finley and Copley voted yes.

Commissioner Copley presented a proclamation recognizing the 100th Anniversary of Troop 106. Scoutmaster Dave Lucas accepted the proclamation, shared a brief history of the troop, highlighted an upcoming Eagle Scout veterans’ headstone restoration project, and thanked the Commissioners. Troop members were recognized, and Senior Patrol Leader Tristan McGraw led the Scout Oath.

Actions, in order

  1. Moved by Commissioner Copley, seconded by Commissioner Finley, to approve the meeting minutes of June 23, 2026, as corrected. Roll call: Finley and Copley voted yes.
  2. Moved by Commissioner Finley, seconded by Commissioner Copley, to approve the following floodplain permits submitted by the Soil and Water Conservation District. Roll call: Finley and Copley voted yes.
    • Renewal, permit 2026-803: Anthony Fulks — Filling & grading project located at the corner of St. Rt. 7 (Co. Rd. 107) & Co. Rd. 403.
    • Renewal, permit 2026-804: Herrell Farm LLC — Stream maintenance project located on Twp. Rd. 101.
  3. Moved by Commissioner Copley, seconded by Commissioner Finley, to approve the following appropriations and transfers dated June 30, 2026, under $75,000.00, submitted by Dylan Bentley, County Administrator. Roll call: Finley and Copley voted yes.
  4. Moved by Commissioner Finley, seconded by Commissioner Copley, to approve the following appropriation submitted by Parker Rowe, Director of Finance: T30-999-036-000 — $200,000. Roll call: Finley and Copley voted yes.
  5. Moved by Commissioner Finley, seconded by Commissioner Copley, to approve and sign the response form for the Liquor Permit Request for Ohio Springs Inc, Sheetz, 66 TWP RD 276 N. Fayette Township. Roll call: Finley and Copley voted yes.
  6. Moved by Commissioner Copley, seconded by Commissioner Finley, to approve and sign the letter of commitment for the READY Local Governments Training Program. Roll call: Finley and Copley voted yes.

Julie Monroe outlined the financial challenges facing the Lawrence County Board of Developmental Disabilities due to increasing Medicaid match obligations and presented a state proposal to regionalize Medicaid waiver administration, allowing local levy funds to support local programs. She requested the Commissioners’ support in advocating for the proposal.

  1. Moved by Commissioner Copley, seconded by Commissioner Finley, to send letters of support to the county’s state representatives and senators regarding the proposed regional Medicaid waiver administration plan. Roll call: Finley and Copley voted yes.

Rich Donahue provided an update on upcoming America 250 events, progress on the Black Fork veterans memorial project, and raised concerns regarding deteriorating advertising benches on courthouse property. The Commissioners agreed to investigate the ownership, advertising arrangement, and maintenance responsibility for the benches.

Brian Collins presented plans for a community meal initiative and culinary school aimed at addressing food insecurity among seniors and homebound residents through donated food, volunteer partnerships, and grant funding. The Commissioners expressed their support for the initiative.

Clerk of Courts Mike Patterson advised that his office must transition to a new digital certified mail system due to the discontinuation of its current provider. He reported the new system is expected to reduce mailing costs and that a vendor contract will be presented after evaluation.

EMS Director Dave Hamm reported on the National EMS Memorial Bike Ride’s Moving Honors stop in Lawrence County honoring the late Mike Campbell, who will also be recognized at the National EMS Memorial Service in Arlington, Virginia. The Commissioners thanked EMS staff for organizing the tribute.

  1. Moved by Commissioner Finley, seconded by Commissioner Copley, to meet in executive session with Dylan Bentley, Missy Evans, and Colton Kuhn regarding personnel; hire, fire. Roll call: Finley and Copley voted yes. Call back: Finley and Copley voted yes.
  2. Moved by Commissioner Copley, seconded by Commissioner Finley, to approve the following hires pending BCI/FBI/Drug Screens/Locals. Roll call: Finley and Copley voted yes.
    • Makayla Edwards — IM New Hire
    • Kristal Burriss-Hensley — IM New Hire
    • Maegen Eaches — IM New Hire
    • Sasha Massie — IM New Hire
    • Sasha Fields — IM New Hire
    • Jennifer Gilkerson — Screener New Hire
    • Scott Wilson — CPS Supervisor New Hire
  3. Moved by Commissioner Finley, seconded by Commissioner Copley, to meet in executive session with Dylan Bentley and Colton Kuhn regarding real estate and legal contracts. Roll call: Finley and Copley voted yes. Call back: Finley and Copley voted yes.

Commissioner Copley 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.

Download the official signed minutes for June 30, 2026 (PDF)