Lawrence County commissioners approve assessment settlements, appoint public defender, accept 9‑1‑1 and cybersecurity funding and back $500,000 DOJ victim‑assit

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…