Projects for Ironton and the county won’t get additional funding from the Community Development Blocks Grant program.

Recently the Lawrence County Commission approved applying for $900,000 in booster CDBG grants to fund street improvements in the city of Ironton, paving in Decatur Township and street improvements and blighted housing removal in Chesapeake from Symmes Creek Bridge to Bradrick.

However, the county’s grant was turned down by the state Office of Community Development.

“The proposals were thoroughly reviewed according to the guidelines outlined in Ohio Consolidated Plan,” a letter from Michael Hiler of the Office of Community Development, stated. “Upon completion of the review process, $8,168,500 in CDBG dollars was awarded to 29 top ranking proposals. Unfortunately, Lawrence County’s projects did not rank highly enough to be funded.”

At its regular Thursday meeting Commission President Bill Pratt said the county would re-apply next year for the funding.

County Treasurer Stephen Burcham reported tax bills for manufactured homes have been sent out and will be due on Aug. 30. They should bring in an additional $100,000 for the county.

This year the county brought in $27,053,665 in property taxes. That exceeded last year by $885,914. Second half was $10,009,918, which was more than last year by $233,439. In 2004 the total collections for the county were $19,109,095.

In other action the commission:

• Agreed to participate in the United Health Wellness Discounts Program;

• Appointed Bernard Conwell, Doug Marcum and Rob Callaway to the Storm Water Task Force;

• Approved demolition agreements for property on Rockwood Avenue, Chesapeake;

• Accepted the weekly dog warden report where one dog was destroyed, six were adopted or went to rescue and one dog was redeemed by its owner. There were 99 dogs in custody that week.