Lawrence County Board approves public safety tax referendum

Thursday, June 18, 2026 at 12:55 PM

By Steve Anderson

It will be up to Lawrence County voters as to whether or not they want to approve funding emergency services through a public safety tax in the future.

The County Board Wednesday approved unanimously a resolution for the adoption of a public safety tax referendum. The 1% sales tax on certain items would go towards helping to pay for such services as police, fire, ambulance and other protections for the citizens of the county.

The question would be voted on in the consolidated election in April of 2027. Public hearings are planned in the future to further educate the public on the matter. A similar proposal was defeated back in 2013.

The board also approved adopting an ordinance regulating commercial wind energy facilities locating in the county.

They did move to accept the bid of Mason's Masonry of approximately $359,000 for a brick tuckpointing project at the Lawrence County Courthouse in the fall. It is anticipated that the work will about 2 months to complete.

Irma Vance was reappointed to a four-year term as the county representative on the RIDES Mass Transit Board.