Starting on Jan. 1, rent fees for Lawrence County Airpark will go up, ranging from 30 percent to 200 percent increase.

The increase will supplant the current assessment fees that the Lawrence County Commissioners voted on Thursday to discontinue.

“This was after we talked with the prosecutor, who wasn’t happy with assessment fees,” Bill Nenni, of the airport advisory board, told the commissioners. “The fees are now comparable to other local airports.”

The new monthly fees are $140 for T hangars up from $110; $60 for tie downs, double the current rate; and $60 for grass tie down and box hangars, up from $20.

The commissioners also approved airpark consulting services proposal between the county and Stantec, a Canadian-headquartered engineering firm with a field office in Columbus.

A permit from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources for DM Mining’s proposed operation to retrieve sand and gravel near Hog Run Road was referred to the county engineer.

A member of the audience told the commissioners that he had already seen mining in that area even though the public comment period of 35 days is still open.

“The road is already torn up,” commissioner Bill Pratt said.

In other action the commissioners:

• Referred a request for a speed limit study on County Road 55, off of State Route 243, to the county engineer:

• Proclaimed November National Home Care/Hospice Palliative Care Month;

• Accepted the transfer of a hangar at the airpark from Tammi Weinsweig to Bruce Ray;

• Met with department of job and family services director Terry Porter in executive session regarding personnel;

• Received the weekly dog warden report where no dogs were euthanized; 10 were adopted or went to rescue; and two were redeemed by their owners.