In the future, groups and government entities seeking to put a tax levy on the ballot must first circulate a petition and collect signatures before asking the Lawrence County Commission to place the funding levy on the ballot.

The commission Thursday voted unanimously to enact this requirement.

“It educates both those who sign the petition and educates the people circulating the petition whether it would have any merit or not,” Commissioner Doug Malone explained.

Such petitions would be handled by the Lawrence County Board of Elections.

In other business, Friday was the last day to pay first-half real estate taxes. Treasurer Stephen Dale Burcham told the commission as of Thursday, his office had collected $7.24 million in property taxes and $234,000 in taxes on mobile homes.

“We’re slightly ahead of last year and slightly ahead of this year’s projections,” Burcham said.

The deadline for paying the second-half property taxes will be July 17. Burcham said he wanted to save money by mailing out tax bills before the U.S. Postal Service raises its rates May 11. The tax bills will be mailed out in early May.