At the end of the Lawrence County Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, Commissioner Mike Finley took a moment to talk about the renewal of levies that will be on the primary ballot on Tuesday.

“The levies that are up this year are replacement levies. It is not going to change your taxes one bit if you vote for the fire levies or the replacement levy in South Point,” he said. “If you don’t vote for them, you will lose services. So, it costs you nothing different. So everyone should get out and vote and vote for the levies because we need the trash pick up in South Point and the brush clean up.”

He added the fire levy doesn’t raise taxes either. The majority of fire departments in the county are manned by volunteers and the levies go to pay for equipment and training.

“Get out and vote,” he said.

Primary voting for Ohio is Tuesday and polls are open from 6:30 a.m.–7: 30 p.m.

In items on the agenda, the commissioners took the following actions:

• Tabled the Lawrence County Juvenile Center contracts for community residential services for Adams County, Fayette County, Gallia County, Meigs County and Scioto County, for a per diem rate of $115 per bed, approved by the county prosecutor. The commissioners would like to raise the rate to $120 per bed, but need to speak to Lawrence County Common Pleas Probate/Juvenile Judge Patricia Sanders before making a decision.

• Signed the Letter of Commendation for Patti Wall, and her 45 years of dedicated service with the Scottown Farmer and Farmerettes 4-H Club and then presented it to her.

• Proclaimed March 17-23, 2024, as “National Agricultural Week” in Lawrence County. The commissioners presented the proclamation to the Lawrence County Farm Bureau.

• Approved a resolution honoring the Symmes Creek Restoration Committee on its 20th anniversary of its establishment of the Arthur S. Ferguson Jr. Canoe Trail on Symmes Creek.

• Approved the following floodplain permits submitted by the Soil and Water Conservation District including: 2024-740, Frank and Bryan McCarty, stream maintenance and brush removal projects located at 222 County Road 8; 2024-741, Chesapeake Little League, camper being used a mobile concession stand project located at 624 County Road 31; and 2024-742, Chesapeake Little League, filling and grading and press box on softball field projects located at 624 County Road 31.

• Approved the following appropriations and transfers dated March 12, 2024, under $50,000 submitted by Dylan Bentley, acting administrator.

• Approved and signed the Lawrence County Department of Jobs and Family Services child support contract with the Lawrence County Juvenile Court for $138,058.30, contract term is Jan. 1, 2024, through Dec. 31, 2024, submitted by Jamie Murphy, director DJFS, pending prosecutor approval.