Lawrence County Commissioners Meeting Minutes, June 9, 2026

Regular Session, 10:15 a.m. Twenty-First Business Meeting (twenty-ninth overall) of the Lawrence County Board of Commissioners.

Summary

The Lawrence County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on June 9, 2026. Commissioner Finley was absent; Commissioners Holliday and Copley were present. The main actions and updates are below, with the complete record following.

Administrative approvals

  • Approved the corrected minutes from June 2, 2026.
  • Approved one floodplain permit renewal from the Soil and Water Conservation District: a manufactured home project for Ashley Tackett at 11385 St. Rt. 93 (permit 2026-797).
  • Approved appropriations and transfers under $75,000.00 dated June 9, 2026.
  • Received and filed the Engineer’s 2025 Annual Report.

Personnel

  • Approved a personnel change: Daniel Zornes from part-time EMT to full-time EMT, effective June 23, 2026.
  • Rescinded the prior motion to terminate Brittany Ison-Thompson from the June 2, 2026 meeting.

Agreements

  • Approved an Equipment Agreement with Union Township.
  • Approved a Fuel Agreement with PF Flyers for the Lawrence County Airpark.

Tabled item

  • A resolution to approve a $1,500 donation to the National Wild Turkey Federation, requested by Mike Patterson, Clerk of Courts, was tabled. No action was taken.

Student-athlete recognition

  • The Board recognized nine Lawrence County student-athletes for outstanding achievements at the 2026 Ohio High School Athletic Association state championships and all-state selections, including three state champions — Molly Dunlap (Fairland, 300-meter hurdles), Lola Donahue (Fairland, high jump), and Corey Davis (Chesapeake, pole vault) — along with a state runner-up, a fifth-place finisher in two events, and four all-state softball honorees from Symmes Valley and Ironton.

Executive session

  • The Board entered executive session at 10:31 a.m. with county staff and legal representatives regarding imminent court action. During that session it was determined the matter being discussed did not qualify as imminent litigation; the Board immediately exited executive session at 10:41 a.m. and returned to open session.
  • The Board subsequently entered a second executive session with the County Administrator and Clerk regarding legal contracts, then returned to open session.

Full minutes

Members present

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

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

Actions, in order

  1. Moved by Commissioner Copley, seconded by Commissioner Holliday, to approve the Meeting Minutes of June 2, 2026, as corrected. Roll call: Holliday yes; Copley yes.
  2. Moved by Commissioner Holliday, seconded by Commissioner Copley, to approve the following floodplain permits submitted by the Soil and Water Conservation District. Roll call: Holliday yes; Copley yes.
    • Renewal, permit 2026-797: Ashley Tackett — manufactured home project located at 11385 St. Rt. 93.
  3. Moved by Commissioner Copley, seconded by Commissioner Holliday, to approve the following appropriations and transfers dated June 9, 2026, under $75,000.00, submitted by Dylan Bentley, County Administrator. Roll call: Holliday yes; Copley yes.
  4. Moved by Commissioner Holliday, seconded by Commissioner Copley, to receive and file the Engineer’s 2025 Annual Report. Roll call: Holliday yes; Copley yes.
  5. Moved by Commissioner Copley, seconded by Commissioner Holliday, to make the following personnel change: Daniel Zornes, PT EMT to FT EMT, effective 6/23/26. Roll call: Holliday yes; Copley yes.
  6. A resolution to approve the $1,500 Donation to the National Wild Turkey Federation for $1,500, requested by Mike Patterson, Clerk of Courts, was tabled. No action was taken.
  7. Moved by Commissioner Holliday, seconded by Commissioner Copley, to approve and sign the Equipment Agreement with Union Township. Roll call: Holliday yes; Copley yes.
  8. Moved by Commissioner Holliday, seconded by Commissioner Copley, to rescind the motion to terminate Brittany Ison-Thompson from the 06/02/2026 meeting. Roll call: Holliday yes; Copley yes.
  9. The Board recognized several Lawrence County student-athletes for their outstanding achievements at the state level during the 2026 Ohio High School Athletic Association championships and all-state selections. Athletes recognized included:
    • Molly Dunlap (Fairland) — State Champion, 300-meter hurdles.
    • Lola Donahue (Fairland) — State Champion, high jump.
    • Corey Davis (Chesapeake) — State Champion, pole vault.
    • Nixon Snavely (Symmes Valley) — State Runner-Up, 1,600-meter run and 3,200-meter run.
    • Mason Wheeler (Ironton) — Fifth Place, shot put.
    • Addie Davis (Ironton) — Fifth Place, 800-meter run.
    • Camille Martin (Ironton) — Second Team All-State Softball.
    • Koda Saunders (Symmes Valley) — First Team All-State Softball.
    • Brenna Tibbs (Symmes Valley) — First Team All-State Softball.
  10. Moved by Commissioner Holliday, seconded by Commissioner Copley, to enter executive session at 10:31 a.m. with Dylan Bentley, Colton Kuhn, Mark Evans, William Somodi, Joe Riley, Mack Anderson, Michele Throckmorton, Ralph Kline, Jason Percell, and Jessica Keeton regarding imminent court action. Roll call: Holliday yes; Copley yes.During executive session, Joe Riley discussed concerns regarding guest attendance at a biweekly conference due to contractual obligations and time limitations. Commissioner Holliday inquired whether the matter involved pending or imminent litigation. Upon confirmation that it did not, the Board determined the discussion did not fall within a permissible executive session purpose and immediately exited executive session at 10:41 a.m. The Board returned to open session. Roll call: Holliday yes; Copley yes.
  11. Moved by Commissioner Holliday, seconded by Commissioner Copley, to meet in executive session with Dylan Bentley and Colton Kuhn regarding legal contracts. Roll call: Holliday yes; Copley yes. Call back roll call: Holliday yes; Copley yes.
  12. Moved by Commissioner Copley, seconded by Commissioner Holliday, to approve and sign the Fuel Agreement with PF Flyers for the Lawrence County Airpark. Roll call: Holliday yes; Copley 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.

Official record

The signed minutes are the official record of this meeting.

Download the official signed minutes for June 9, 2026 (PDF)