Lawrence County Commissioners Meeting Minutes, September 22, 2026

Full minutes

Members present

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

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

Proclamation

Moved by Commissioner Holliday, seconded by Commissioner Finley, to proclaim the week of October 23–31, 2026 as Red Ribbon Week. Roll call: Finley and Holliday voted yes.

IMPACT Prevention students described their peer-led prevention work and their plans to visit younger students during Red Ribbon Week. Judge Ballard thanked them for their leadership.

Actions, in order

1. Moved by Commissioner Holliday, seconded by Commissioner Finley, to approve the meeting minutes of September 15, 2026, as corrected. Roll call: Finley and Holliday voted yes.
2. Moved by Commissioner Finley, seconded by Commissioner Holliday, to approve the appropriations and transfers dated September 22, 2026, under $75,000.00, submitted by Dylan Bentley, County Administrator. Roll call: Finley and Holliday voted yes.
3. Moved by Commissioner Finley, seconded by Commissioner Holliday, to approve the following personnel changes. Roll call: Finley and Holliday voted yes.
   • Andrew Wood from EMT to Advanced EMT effective 8-30-26
   • Katrina Jordon from EMT to Paramedic effective 4-26-2026
   • Danny Larsen from EMT to Advanced EMT effective 9-13-26
   • Julia West — New Hire PT EMT
   • Katelyn Speakman — Resignation effective 8-19-2026
4. Moved by Commissioner Holliday, seconded by Commissioner Finley, to approve and sign the Contract for Hosted Online Index Books – Mortgages, Books 1 through 81. Roll call: Finley and Holliday voted yes.
5. Moved by Commissioner Finley, seconded by Commissioner Holliday, to assign Missy Evans, Director of DJFS, as the designee to sign, accept, and release funds in accordance with the inter-county adjustment of allocations for the calendar year 2026, beginning January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026. Roll call: Finley and Holliday voted yes.
6. Moved by Commissioner Holliday, seconded by Commissioner Finley, to assign Missy Evans, Director of DJFS, as the designee to sign, accept, and release funds in accordance with the inter-county adjustment of allocations for the calendar year 2027, beginning January 1, 2027, through December 31, 2027. Roll call: Finley and Holliday voted yes.
7. Moved by Commissioner Holliday, seconded by Commissioner Finley, to approve the Federal Grant Administration and Uniform Guidance Compliance Policy. Roll call: Finley and Holliday voted yes.
8. Coal Grove Village Administrator Joe Ross asked the commissioners to begin reviewing the proposed detachment of seven ODOT-owned highway parcels from the village. He described the maintenance and emergency-response costs the village faces. The commissioners stated they would send the request to the Prosecutor for an opinion before deciding next steps. Moved by Commissioner Holliday, seconded by Commissioner Finley, to receive and refer the Coal Grove Proposal to the Prosecutor for review. Call Back: Roll call: Finley and Holliday voted yes.
9. Judge Ballard followed up on the proposed reappointment of Natalie Adams to the STAR Facilities governing board. The commissioners stated they were reviewing possible conflicts of interest before making the appointment. No formal vote was taken.
10. The commissioners discussed upcoming events at the Ro-Na Theater, Ohio River tourism and cleanup efforts, and the Ironton City Welfare Mission. They clarified that the Mission’s services are continuing despite the demolition of the building it used. No formal vote was taken.
11. Moved by Commissioner Holliday, seconded by Commissioner Finley, to meet in executive session with Dylan Bentley and Colton Kuhn regarding personnel; hire. Roll call: Finley and Holliday voted yes. Call Back: Finley and Holliday voted yes.
12. Moved by Commissioner Holliday, seconded by Commissioner Finley, to meet in executive session with Dylan Bentley, Corey Watson, and Colton Kuhn regarding real estate and legal contracts. Roll call: Finley and Holliday voted yes. Call Back: Finley and Holliday 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, Board of Lawrence County Commissioners, Lawrence County, Ohio.