Commissioners’ 29th Business Meeting
39th Overall Meeting
August 26, 2025
10:00 a.m.

The Lawrence County Board of Commissioners met in a Regular Session on the above date and time.
Commissioner Copley, President of the Board, opened the meeting with roll call:
Dr. Colton Copley, President———–—-Absent
Mrs. DeAnna Holliday, Vice President—Present
Mr. Mike Finley, Member——————-Present

Summary of Meeting Minutes from August 26, 2025

Lawrence County Commissioners Meeting Highlights – August 26, 2025

The Lawrence County Board of Commissioners held their 29th business meeting (39th overall) on August 26, 2025. Vice President DeAnna Holliday and Commissioner Mike Finley were present; President Dr. Colton Copley was absent. Here’s a simple rundown of what happened:

Administrative Approvals

• Approved the corrected minutes from the August 12, 2025 meeting.
• Approved floodplain permits:
  • New: Stream maintenance at 7831 County Road 5.
  • Renewals: Multiple projects (filling, grading, stream work, bank stabilization, road work) at various locations across the county, including County Roads 1A, 15, 29, 43, 107/State Route 7, State Route 378, Township rights-of-way, and a private drive.
• Approved routine appropriations and transfers under $75,000.
• Received the County Auditor’s certificate confirming that total appropriations do not exceed estimated resources.

Grants & Agreements

• Accepted and signed a federal Airport Infrastructure Grant (AIG) under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Project No. 3-39-01007-017-2025) for the county airpark.
• Authorized the Director of Support Services to adopt and adjust county policies related to networks, cybersecurity, and disaster recovery.
• Signed a letter of commendation for Debbie Carpenter.

Community Presentations

• Macedonian Baptist Church Restoration: Representatives shared that the historic church, tied to the Underground Railroad, is on track for full restoration by October 31. They need funding for a ramp, parking lot striping, and lighting (~$100,000). Commissioners expressed support, suggested working with the Lawrence County Development Corporation and Port Authority on grants, and asked for a detailed budget “wish list.”
• Rural Action – Road Stream Crossing Project: Rural Action introduced a Nature Conservancy–funded project to survey culverts and bridges in Scioto, Lawrence, and Gallia Counties to improve fish passage and stream health. Commissioners noted local trouble spots (Sims Creek, Bradrick, Old Ice Creek, Storms Creek) and encouraged coordination with the County Engineer. Dredging is outside the current project scope, but water quality concerns can inform future funding.
• Quinn Estates Drainage Complaint: A resident reported flooding after a roadway blocked a long-standing drainage ditch, causing water to back up under his home during moderate rain. Commissioners advised working with the County Engineer (who oversees stormwater/drainage), will add the issue to their upcoming discussion list with the Engineer and Planning Commission, and noted the developer may need to be involved.

Executive Session & Actions

• Met in executive session with the County Administrator, LEDC, CAO, and the Land Bank regarding real estate and legal contracts.
• Authorized the County Administrator to enter into and sign the Lawrence County Airpark Fuel Sales Agreement.
• Re-entered executive session, then authorized the County Administrator to sign all documents and take necessary actions to complete a real estate acquisition with Silver Springs LLC for parcels along South 1st Street in Ironton.

Votes & Adjournment

• All motions passed with unanimous “Yes” votes from Holliday and Finley.
• The meeting was adjourned by Commissioner Holliday.

Full Text of Meeting Minutes from August 26, 2025

 The Lawrence County Board of Commissioners met in a Regular Session on the above date and time. 

Commissioner Copley, President of the Board, opened the meeting with roll call: 

Dr. Colton Copley, President—————ABSENT 

Mrs. DeAnna Holliday, Vice President—Present 

Mr. Mike Finley, Member——————-Present 

Motion by Commissioner Finley, Seconded by Commissioner Holliday 

To approve the Meeting Minutes on August 12th, 2025, as corrected. 

Roll Call: Commissioner Finley Yes Commissioner Holliday Yes 

Motion by Commissioner Holliday, Seconded by Commissioner Finley 

To approve the following floodplain permits submitted by the Soil and Water Conservation District: 

New: 

2025-841 John Brian Pancake-Stream maintenance project located at 7831 Co. Rd. 5 

Renewal: 

2025-833 Nick McGuire-Residential structure project located at 678 Co. Rd. 1A 

2025-834 DY/TY Trust-Filling & grading project located at 4988 Co. Rd. 29 

2025-835 McSweeney’s Mill and Mine Service-Filling & grading project located at 7860 Co. Rd. 15 

2025-836 Chris Monnig-Stream maintenance & Bank Stabilization projects located at 1029 Co. Rd. 43 

2025-837 Rome Township-Grading, culvert, paving & maintenance projects located on Twp. Rd. R.O.W. 

2025-838 DAVA, LLC-Filling & grading & residential structure projects located at 60 Pvt. Dr. 8904 

2025-839 Tonya Gayle Spurlock-Filling & grading project located 1/10 Mi. from M.M. 9 Co. Rd. 107/St. Rt. 7 

2025-840 Shirley Hardy-Stream maintenance project located at 6257 St. Rt. 378 

Roll Call: Commissioner Finley Yes Commissioner Holliday Yes 

Motion by Commissioner Finley, Seconded by Commissioner Holliday 

To approve the following appropriations and transfers dated August 26th, 2025, under $75,000.00 submitted by Dylan Bentley, County Administrator. 

Roll Call: Commissioner Finley Yes Commissioner Holliday Yes 

Motion by Commissioner Holliday, Seconded by Commissioner Finley 

To receive and file the Certificate of County Auditor That the Total Appropriations from Each Fund Do Not Exceed the Official Estimate of Resources 

Roll Call: Commissioner Finley Yes Commissioner Holliday Yes 

Motion by Commissioner Finley, Seconded by Commissioner Holliday 

To receive and sign The Grant Offer for Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) Airport Infrastructure Grant (AIG) Project No. 3-39-01007-017-2025 

Roll Call: Commissioner Finley Yes Commissioner Holliday Yes 

Motion by Commissioner Holliday, Seconded by Commissioner Finley 

To receive and sign the resolution Authorizing the Director of Support Services to Adopt and Adjust Policies Related to County Networks, Cybersecurity Practices, and Disaster Recovery 

Roll Call: Commissioner Finley Yes Commissioner Holliday Yes 

Motion by Commissioner Holliday, Seconded by Commissioner Finley 

To sign the Letter of Commendation for Debbie Carpenter 

Roll Call: Commissioner Finley Yes Commissioner Holliday Yes 

Charles Linthicum and Marie Redd from the Macedonian Baptist Church addressed the Lawrence County Commissioners regarding the church’s renovation and ongoing development. They noted that the building will be fully restored by October 31 and highlighted its historical significance as part of the Underground Railroad. While they have secured limited funds through their 501(c)(3), a previous grant fell through. Current needs include a ramp, parking lot striping, and lighting, with estimated costs of around $100,000. Long-term plans include a community room for public events and historical programming. 

The Commissioners expressed support for the project, recognizing its cultural and tourism value. They suggested collaboration with Marty Conley and the Lawrence County Development Corporation, as well as potential involvement of the Port Authority, to identify grant opportunities. Commissioners requested that the church provide a detailed budget or “wish list” to guide both funding searches and possible Commission support. 

The discussion concluded with agreement that the church representatives will meet with Marty Conley to explore grants and will prepare a budget for submission to the Commission. Commissioners commended the renovation progress and affirmed their interest in helping sustain the project for the long term. 

Sarah Benton, representing Rural Action, introduced the nonprofit and its newly funded Road Stream Crossing Project. Rural Action, a 501(c)(3) focused on community development and environmental stewardship, works throughout Appalachian Ohio to balance wildlife, environment, and community needs. This specific project, funded by the Nature Conservancy, aims to restore waterways, improve fish passages, and support river function through surveys of culverts and bridges in Scioto, Lawrence, and Gallia Counties. 

The goal is to identify problem crossings—such as undersized culverts, failing bridges, or flood-prone roadways—and to engage communities in pinpointing priority sites. Benton requested the Commission’s support in identifying locations and encouraging stakeholder participation. 

Commissioners welcomed the initiative and highlighted several local concerns, including Sims Creek, Bradrick, Old Ice Creek, and Storms Creek, where sediment buildup has limited water flow and reduced usability of boat launches. While Benton explained dredging falls outside the current project’s scope, she encouraged sharing water quality concerns for potential future funding opportunities. Commissioners recommended that she connect with the County Engineer to coordinate on culverts and bridges, since those structures fall under his oversight. 

Benton confirmed the project’s reach is countywide, with an initial focus on the Ironton Ranger District, but flexible enough to respond to community input. Commissioners expressed appreciation for Rural Action’s work and encouraged ongoing communication to ensure county needs are included in project planning. 

Larry Rose, a resident near the new Quinn Estates development, addressed the Commission regarding flooding and drainage issues caused by construction of a roadway that blocked a long-standing drainage ditch. Rose reported that even moderate rainfall (around 3 inches) causes water to back up under his 

house, requiring hours of sump pumping. He provided photographs showing the damage and explained that the drainage problems have worsened since the road was built, despite temporary drainage holes being added. 

Commissioners acknowledged the seriousness of the issue and clarified that stormwater and drainage fall under the authority of the County Engineer. They advised Mr. Rose to share his photographs with the Engineer and confirmed that the Commission is already planning to meet with the Engineer in the coming weeks to review stormwater concerns. They also noted that the Planning Commission and the developer may need to be involved, as the road construction appears to have altered the natural drainage line. 

The Commission agreed to add Mr. Rose’s complaint to the list of issues for discussion with the Engineer and Planning Commission. Rose stated he has previously spoken with the developer, but no effective solutions have been implemented. 

Motion by Commissioner Finley, Seconded by Commissioner Holliday 

To meet in executive session with Dylan Bentley, LEDC, CAO and the Land Bank regarding real estate and legal contracts 

Roll Call: Commissioner Finley Yes Commissioner Holliday Yes 

Call Back: Roll Call: Commissioner Finley Yes Commissioner Holliday Yes 

Motion by Commissioner Holliday, Seconded by Commissioner Finley 

To give the County Administrator authority to enter into and sign the Lawrence County Airpark Fuel Sales Agreement. 

Roll Call: Commissioner Finley Yes Commissioner Holliday Yes 

The Commissioners re-entered into their executive session. 

Motion by Commissioner Holliday, Seconded by Commissioner Finley 

To give the County Administrator authority to sign all documents and take any necessary actions to complete the real estate acquisition with Silver Springs LLC for parcels along South 1st Street in Ironton. 

Roll Call: Commissioner Finley Yes Commissioner Holliday Yes 

Commissioner Holliday adjourned the meeting.