Lawrence County Commissioners Meeting Minutes, August 4, 2026

Regular Session, 10:02 a.m. Twenty-Ninth Business Meeting (forty-second overall) of the Lawrence County Board of Commissioners.

Summary

The Lawrence County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on August 4, 2026. The main actions and updates are below, with the complete record following.

Administrative approvals

  • Approved the corrected minutes from July 28, 2026.
  • Approved five floodplain permit renewals from the Soil and Water Conservation District (bank stabilization, filling and grading, stream maintenance, brush clearing, a camper in a floodplain, and materials storage and accessory structure projects).
  • Approved appropriations and transfers under $75,000 dated August 4, 2026.

Contracts and agreements

  • Approved the CEBCO 2027 Rate Renewal, pending prosecutor approval.
  • Approved the Project Closeout Report for AIP Grant NO. 3-39-0107-015-2023, pending prosecutor approval.

America 250 update

  • Rich Donahue reported on recent America 250 activities, including the Sweet Land of Liberty courthouse event, the opening of the Memorial Hall time capsule, the dedication of the Garden Tomb of the Unknown Buffalo Soldier, and preparation of a Lawrence County history book based on Bob Leith’s work.
  • Upcoming projects include a first-responder family event at the courthouse on November 14, an updated county history book, a new courthouse time capsule, and a plaque recognizing the county’s connection to Ohio’s first state forest.

Developmental Disabilities funding

  • Julie Monroe of Lawrence County Developmental Disabilities discussed a proposed state funding solution for 10 southeastern Ohio counties facing serious financial sustainability issues, under which the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities would assume the counties’ Medicaid waiver-match obligations.
  • The commissioners expressed support for the 10-county proposal and agreed to prepare a letter to the County Commissioners Association explaining Lawrence County’s circumstances.

Executive session

  • The commissioners met in executive session with Dylan Bentley and Colton Kuhn regarding legal contracts and real estate, returned to open session, and the meeting was adjourned.

Full minutes

Members present

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

The Lawrence County Board of Commissioners met in a Regular Session on August 4, 2026, at 10:02 a.m. 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 July 28, 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.
    • Renewal, permit 2026-829: Mark A. Kipp, filling & grading, bank stabilization and stream maintenance projects located at 7136 Co. Rd. 15.
    • Renewal, permit 2026-830: VFW Post 6878, filling & grading and camper in a floodplain project located on Twp. Rd. 1222.
    • Renewal, permit 2026-831: Symmes Valley Local Schools, filling & grading, materials storage and accessory structure projects located at 13959 St. Rt. 141.
    • Renewal, permit 2026-832: Mark Crawford, stream maintenance and brush clearing projects located at 6623 Co. Rd. 16.
    • Renewal, permit 2026-833: Jason G. Ellis, stream maintenance and filling & grading projects located at 38 Pvt. Dr. 331 Co. Rd. 36 and between Twp. Rd. 170 and the Windsor line along Co. Rd. 36.
  3. Moved by Commissioner Holliday, seconded by Commissioner Copley, to approve the appropriations and transfers dated August 4, 2026, under $75,000.00, submitted by Dylan Bentley, County Administrator. Roll call: Finley, Holliday, and Copley voted yes.
  4. Moved by Commissioner Holliday, seconded by Commissioner Copley, to approve and sign the CEBCO 2027 Rate Renewal, pending prosecutor approval. Roll call: Finley, Holliday, and Copley voted yes.
  5. Moved by Commissioner Copley, seconded by Commissioner Finley, to approve and sign the Project Closeout Report for AIP Grant NO. 3-39-0107-015-2023, pending prosecutor approval. Roll call: Finley, Holliday, and Copley voted yes.

Reports

Rich Donahue provided an America 250 update. Recent activities included the Sweet Land of Liberty courthouse event, opening the Memorial Hall time capsule, dedication of the Garden Tomb of the Unknown Buffalo Soldier, and preparation of a Lawrence County history book based on Bob Leith’s work. Upcoming projects include:

  • A first-responder family event at the courthouse on November 14.
  • An updated Lawrence County history book featuring elected officials and county offices.
  • Placement of a new courthouse time capsule.
  • Installation and future dedication of a plaque recognizing the county’s connection to Ohio’s first state forest.

Julie Monroe of Lawrence County Developmental Disabilities discussed the proposed state funding solution for 10 southeastern Ohio counties facing serious financial sustainability issues. The proposal would have the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities assume the counties’ Medicaid waiver-match obligations.

Monroe explained that the statewide association opposes the regional proposal on equity grounds and instead favors broader funding for all 88 counties. She emphasized that Lawrence County’s situation is urgent, noting that the county cannot afford additional Medicaid waivers and has already relied on outside assistance to preserve early-intervention and school programs.

The commissioners expressed support for the southeastern Ohio proposal and agreed to prepare a letter to the County Commissioners Association explaining Lawrence County’s circumstances and supporting the 10-county solution.

Executive session

Moved by Commissioner Holliday, seconded by Commissioner Finley, to meet in executive session with Dylan Bentley and Colton Kuhn regarding legal contracts and real estate. Roll call: Finley, Holliday, and Copley voted yes.

On call back, roll call: Finley, 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.

Official record

The signed minutes are the official record of this meeting.

Download the official signed minutes for August 4, 2026 (PDF)