LISBON — Columbiana County Commissioner Tim Ginter reminded residents Wednesday about the sales tax holiday going on now until 11:59 p.m. Aug. 14, saying it’s a good opportunity to take advantage of the savings if they’re out shopping.

The exemption applies to all sales of goods that are $500 or less except for certain watercraft, motor vehicles, alcoholic beverages, tobacco, vapor products or items containing marijuana. Ohio’s sales tax holiday includes all local sales taxes in addition to the statewide sales tax of 5.75%.

In the county’s case that’s a total of 1.5%, in addition to the 5.75%, for a total sales tax in Columbiana County of 7.25% on taxable items.

Commissioner Mike Halleck added that the county receives reimbursement from the state for the amount of sales tax income lost as a result of the statewide sales tax holiday.

During his comments on other matters, Halleck remembered Veronica Wolski, the former longtime Columbiana County recorder who passed away recently at the age of 96.

“She was not only a friend, she was a customer of mine at the store,” he said, referring to his time at Schwartz’s in Salem.

He said she was never political and was part of that era of officeholders who just wanted to do the job to serve the residents. Her public service began as a deputy clerk in the county court system, working for former Columbiana County Clerk of Courts Carl Stacey Jr. and eventually being promoted to chief deputy clerk, serving all three county courts from 1962 to 1975.

She then moved to Common Pleas Court as assignment commissioner, appointed by Common Pleas Court Judges Richard D. Kennedy and J. Warren Bettis in 1975.

In 1980, she ran for Columbiana County recorder and won, serving residents for 20 years until her retirement in 2000.

“She was just a good all-around person,” Halleck said.

He also commended Lisbon Mayor Peter Wilson, who was in the audience, for the street paving on the square, saying it “looks great.”

In business related to the county Department of Job and Family Services, commissioners approved four contracts at the recommendation of DJFS Director Rachel Ketterman for contract periods of Oct. 1, 2025 to Sept. 30, 2026, including: Diamondback Disposal for client dumpster services, $10,000 spending ceiling; Shoe Dept. in East Liverpool for back to school shoe program, $175,000 spending ceiling; Shoe Sensation in Salem for back to school shoe program, $125,000 spending ceiling; and Smith Oil Company for gasoline vouchers for clients, $40,000 spending ceiling.

When asked about the shoe program, Ketterman explained that it’s now a year-round program instead of just being summertime. She said all the money will be spent. Families who fall under 200% of the federal poverty guidelines and have a minor child in the home qualify, with the shoe program strictly for children in grades K-12. Each child can receive a $125 voucher and use the money to purchase shoes at the designated shoe stores in the county.

Commissioners also approved amendments for senior services levy homemaker, home health aide and chore contracts, increasing the spending ceiling for Always Best Care from $30,000 to $40,000 and for ShineOn LLC Cleaning Service from $40,000 to $50,000. Both contracts expire Dec. 31.

Permission to hunt on the county’s County Home Road property was granted to Eric Ivan Jr., Garrett Polosky and Michael Husk.

The next meeting of county commissioners will be held at 9 a.m. Aug. 13 at the downtown courthouse in Lisbon.

mgreier@mojonews.com