The Lawrence County Board of Commissioners met Tuesday and approved a series of resolutions covering property-assessment settlements, personnel changes, grant funding and budget transfers.

The board voted to accept three compromise settlements in assessment appeals involving properties in Shannock and Nesheenic townships. Chief assessor Bruce Peterson told commissioners the three cases were reviewed in court and that the taxing bodies — the county, the school district and the township — had reached agreement. Peterson described one parcel, 3208 Wilmington Road, as a restaurant and office operating as El Camelo and said the taxing units had signed off on the proposed value. Commissioners approved those settlements by roll call vote.

On personnel, the board discussed Public Defender Larry Keith’s upcoming resignation after his election to the bench. The commissioners nominated Assistant Public Defender Joe Oliva for the public‑defender position and amended the effective date from Jan. 6 to Jan. 5, 2026, to avoid a one‑day vacancy. The amended resolution carried on a recorded roll call.

The board also accepted state funding tied to 9‑1‑1/Next Generation 9‑1‑1 operations. Public safety director Chad Strobel said the county would accept $111,104.57 from the state’s 15% allocation of 9‑1‑1 funds to support shared systems and migration work. Strobel described line items including the county’s portion of a shared recorder ($12,584), a $25,000 portion for Next Generation 9‑1‑1 GIS migration, and $8,589.60 for Westcore maintenance; commissioners approved the acceptance of those funds.

Children & Youth Services presented a one‑year cybersecurity support contract with Left Corner Policy of Harmony, Pa., that will take effect Jan. 1 and not exceed $37,288.88. Donald Andrews said the service is consistent with Act 148 funding provisions; commissioners approved the contract.

The board voted to sign a county‑level partnership letter requested by Arise, a local victim‑services nonprofit, so Arise can apply for a $500,000 direct award from the U.S. Department of Justice. Stephanie Benencase, Arise’s chief operating officer, said the grant would fund additional staff to reach rural pockets of the county, add a civil‑law attorney to assist victims with legal matters, fund a countywide needs assessment and provide system‑wide trainings; she asked the commissioners to “sign on as our local unit of government and support the following activities.” Commissioners approved the request and affixed signatures after the vote.

Economic development business also moved forward: Shenango Township manager Al Buric described renewing a Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance (LERTA) exemption for portions of the Route 422 corridor and Shenango Industrial Park. The program, structured as a graduated tax exemption starting at 100% and tapering over six years (80/60/40/20 then none), is intended to attract manufacturing and retail proposals; the board approved the resolution.

The commissioners approved two district‑attorney budget amendments to account for unanticipated revenue (one small $1,004 adjustment and a $9,000 receipt to a task‑force fund) and a package of interdepartmental transfers covering voter‑services security, jail utilities and personnel line adjustments, CDBG reallocation for Elwood City curb ramps and housing rehabilitation, and other routine transfers.

The board announced a public special meeting for Thursday, Dec. 18, at 8:30 a.m. to adopt planning resolutions required for state submissions and monitoring due Dec. 19. The board also noted holiday closures and scheduled a Dec. 30 meeting to consider adopting the proposed 2026 budget.

Votes at a glance
- Resolution 394 (assessment settlement, 3208 Wilmington Rd): approved (roll call: Commissioner Sonata — Yes; Commissioner Kennedy — Yes; Commissioner Bogler — Yes).
- Resolution 395 (assessment settlement, 11 Shenango Rd): approved (roll call recorded).
- Resolution 396 (assessment settlement, 658 Club Drive): approved (roll call recorded).
- Resolution 397 (appoint Joe Oliva, public defender; amend effective date to Jan. 5, 2026): approved (roll call recorded).
- Resolution 398 (accept 9‑1‑1/901 state funding, county share total $111,104.57): approved (roll call recorded).
- Resolution 399 (Children & Youth cybersecurity contract, up to $37,288.88): approved (roll call recorded).
- Resolution 400 (Arise DOJ application support — county sign-on): approved (roll call recorded).
- Resolution 401 (Shenango Township LERTA renewal): approved (roll call recorded).
- Resolutions 402–403 (DA budget amendments) and multiple interdepartmental transfers: approved.

What to watch next
County staff said they will sign and file grant paperwork immediately where allowed and will bring the planning resolutions at a special public meeting Dec. 18 to satisfy state monitoring and submission deadlines. The board plans to consider final adoption of the proposed 2026 budget at its Dec. 30 meeting.

Sources: meeting transcript, presentations by Bruce Peterson (chief assessor), Chad Strobel (public safety director), Donald Andrews (Children & Youth representative), Stephanie Benencase (Arise COO), and Shenango Township manager Al Buric.