Commissioners’ 32nd Business Meeting
42nd Overall Meeting
September 16, 2025
10:11 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———–—-Present
Mrs. DeAnna Holliday, Vice President—Present
Mr. Mike Finley, Member——————-Present

Summary of Meeting Minutes from September 16, 2025

Lawrence County Commissioners Meeting Highlights – September 16, 2025

The Lawrence County Board of Commissioners held their 32nd business meeting (42nd overall) on September 16, 2025. Here are the key updates and decisions from the meeting:

Administrative Approvals

• Approved corrected minutes from the September 4 and September 9 meetings.
• Approved renewal of a floodplain permit for Gregory L. Walker for filling, grading, and stream maintenance on State Route 141.
• Approved appropriations and transfers under $75,000, with Commissioner Finley abstaining.
• Approved a contract for Hosted Online Index Books for the County Recorder’s Office.

Community Updates

• Julie Monroe reported on town hall meetings scheduled at OU Southern (September) and Upper Township Fire Department (October). Flyers are available and have been distributed via Facebook and newspapers.
• She noted Lawrence County Developmental Disabilities (DD) serves about 625 people, including around 60 school students. Most DD resources support non-school services like early intervention, in-home support, and adult services not fully covered by Medicaid. A Facebook post will clarify these points for the public.
• Commissioner Finley announced a Special-Needs Fishing Day this weekend, starting at 8:30 a.m. at Tractor Supply, with promotion through county channels.

Departmental Reports

• County Administrator Dylan Bentley commended the Recorder’s Office for completing and submitting all records retention schedules to the State Archives, ensuring compliance across county departments.
• Commissioner Holliday and Bentley highlighted the University of Cincinnati partnership led by Rome Township native Todd DeGarmo. The student team identified county themes such as federal land use, riverway development, and regional economic opportunities. They will produce working documents to help secure funding and guide future economic development, tourism, and recreation projects.

Legal and Financial Actions

• The board entered executive session with staff to discuss legal contracts and real estate matters.
• Commissioners approved signing documents related to the Purdue Pharma bankruptcy and Sackler settlement.

The meeting ended with all roll call votes recorded as unanimous, except for one abstention on appropriations and transfers. Commissioner Copley adjourned the session.

Full Text of Meeting Minutes from September 16, 2025

Commissioners’ 32th Business Meeting

42th Overall Meeting

September 16th, 2025

10:11 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—————Present

Mrs. DeAnna Holliday, Vice President—Present

Mr. Mike Finley, Member——————-Present

Motion by Commissioner Finley, Seconded by Commissioner Copley

To approve the Meeting Minutes on September 4th, 2025, and September 9th, 2025, as corrected.

Roll Call: Commissioner Finley Yes Commissioner Holliday Yes Commissioner Copley Yes

Motion by Commissioner Holliday, Seconded by Commissioner Copley

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

New:

None

Renewal:

2025-849 Gregory L. Walker-Filling & grading and Stream maintenance projects located at 13650 St. Rt. 141.

Roll Call: Commissioner Finley Yes Commissioner Holliday Yes Commissioner Copley Yes

Motion by Commissioner Copley, Seconded by Commissioner Holliday

To approve the following appropriations and transfers dated September 16th, 2025, under $75,000.00 submitted by Dylan Bentley, County Administrator.

Roll Call: Commissioner Finley ABSTAIN Commissioner Holliday Yes Commissioner Copley Yes

Motion by Commissioner Finley, Seconded by Commissioner Holliday

To approve and sign the Contract for Hosted Online Index Books – Multiple Indexes, submitted by Lori Morris, County Recorder

Roll Call: Commissioner Finley Yes Commissioner Holliday Yes Commissioner Copley Yes

Julie Monroe reported that flyers are available (and posted on Facebook and in the newspaper) for town hall meetings scheduled for Monday at OU Southern and in October at the Upper Township Fire Department, and she will leave flyers with the commissioner’s office for distribution. stated that Lawrence County DD serves approximately 625 individuals in total, of whom about 60 are school students (roughly 10%), and explained that while the Department of Education provides funding for those students and DD covers certain excess costs, the majority of DD resources support non-school services such as early intervention, lifelong in-home supports, and adult day/PCS services, which Medicaid does not fully fund; she will prepare a Facebook post clarifying these points.

Commissioner Finley announced a special-needs fishing day this weekend, with participants meeting at 8:30 AM at Tractor Supply, and staff will publicize the event through county channels.

Dylan Bentley commended Lori and the Recorder’s Office for submitting all records retention schedules to the State Archives, thereby establishing policies for every department, and staff will communicate this completion internally and continue compliance efforts.

Commissioner Holliday and Dylan summarized the University of Cincinnati partnership led by Rome Township native Todd DeGarmo, noting that the student team canvassed the county and hosted two public sessions, identified key themes such as extensive federal land, underutilized assets, riverways, and the county’s role in a larger metropolitan region, and will produce living working documents to support funding applications and coordinated efforts in economic development, tourism, and recreation with regional partners.

Motion by Commissioner Holliday, Seconded by Commissioner Copley

To meet in executive session with Dylan Bentley, Parker Rowe, and Chris Kline regarding legal contracts.

Roll Call: Commissioner Finley Yes Commissioner Holliday Yes Commissioner Copley Yes

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

Motion by Commissioner Holliday, Seconded by Commissioner Copley

To receive and sign documents regarding the Purdue Pharma bankruptcy and Sackler settlement

Roll Call: Commissioner Finley Yes Commissioner Holliday Yes Commissioner Copley Yes

Motion by Commissioner Holliday, Seconded by Commissioner Copley

To meet in executive session with Dylan Bentley regarding real estate.

Roll Call: Commissioner Finley Yes Commissioner Holliday Yes Commissioner Copley Yes

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

Commissioner Copley adjourned the meeting.

______________________________________

Dr. Colton Copley, President

______________________________________

DeAnna Holliday, Vice President

______________________________________

Mike Finley, Member

Bd of Lawrence County Commissioners

Lawrence County, Ohio

ATTEST: _________________________, Clerk

Colton Kuhn, Clerk

Bd of Lawrence County Commissioners

Lawrence County, Ohio