Representatives for local advocates asked the Lawrence County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday to place a 2.5‑mill continuing levy for services to people with developmental disabilities on the Nov. 4 general election ballot.

Julie [last name not provided], speaking on behalf of the county developmental‑disabilities board, said she presented Resolution No. 03‑01‑2025, signed by a majority of the board at its March 13, 2025 public meeting, and delivered “well over 550” signatures from registered voters in Lawrence County supporting placement of the levy on the ballot.

The resolution requests the commissioners forward the proposed levy request to the county auditor for certification and then act to place it on the ballot. Julie said a campaign committee, Lawrence County Advocates for DD, will handle voter information and outreach if the levy proceeds.

Commissioners voted to accept the resolution and forward it to the auditor’s office for certification. Commissioner Finley voted yes, Commissioner Holiday voted yes and Commissioner Copley voted yes.

County staff noted the board of elections must receive ballot language no later than 90 days before the election; Julie was told the county would aim to have the materials submitted by mid‑July to meet that deadline.

If certified and formally placed on the ballot by the commissioners, the levy would appear to voters as a continuing 2.5‑mill property tax measure to fund developmental‑disability services. The presenter described the measure as a new levy rather than a renewal; campaign planning will be handled by the named committee.

The commissioners’ action at the meeting was a procedural acceptance and referral to the auditor’s office for certification; no final ballot placement vote was recorded at the meeting.