NEWS RELEASE

DEFIANCE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

MONDAY, JANUARY 4, 2007

The Board of Defiance County Commissioners met in regular session at 8:30 a.m. in the Hicksville Village Council Room, Hicksville, Ohio on Thursday, January 4, 2007. Chairman Thomas L. Kime called the meeting to order. Also present were Commissioners, Otto L. Nicely, James E. Harris, Jr., Becky Wagner, County Administrator, Lyla Gurwell, Clerk and Joanne Goerlitz, Deputy Clerk.

General Session – The Commissioners were presented with various resolutions and documents for approval. The Commissioners reviewed agenda items, discussed upcoming meetings, and reviewed and updated the calendar of events.

The Commissioners approved the Sanitary Engineering Services contract with Poggemeyer Design Group for 2007.

Jean Ziegler, Clerk of Courts presented her report to the Board of Commissioners for the Month of December 2006. Jean reported collecting legal fees of $10,429 and Title Fees of $4,623. The Certificate of Title Administrative Fund is at $8,585. Jean also reported deposits for the following: Legal Fees of $67,900 and Title Fees of $387,444.

Sales or Use Tax and Dealers Tax collected was $66,565, Watercraft Tax Collected was $206. The number of Titles issued was 2,115. The number of notation of Liens was 555, and the number of inspections was 480.

Jean issued 93 titles for new cars, 19 titles for motorcycles, 7 titles for motor homes, 1,350 used car titles, 29 manufactured home titles, 50 new truck titles, 45 trailer titles, 13 off-road vehicle titles, 460 used truck titles, 10 travel trailer titles, 17 watercraft titles and 21 van titles.

Jane Tadsen, Defiance County Recorder reported recording 166 deeds, 199 mortgages, 215 releases, 1 partnership, 6 power of attorneys, and 2 plats. The total of the month of December was $28,036 of which $13,848 went toward the Housing Trust and $14,188 went toward the General Fund.

County Administrator Becky Wagner submitted her report to the Board. Becky reported that Ron Cereghin advised her that he is going to cap off the waterline at the old hospital site. Ron also informed Becky that Kevin Hancock from Soil & Water is ready to begin the demolition work at the site.

Becky received the signs from the Ohio Department of Natural Resourses for the canoe launch sites. The signs indicate the canoe launches are part of the Natures Works Program and will be given to the Defiance County Engineer Warren Schlatter to be put up. Becky also mentioned that Warren is having signs made that will direct visitors to each site, on both West High and Schick Road.

Becky also reported that there will be a seminar on the new Civil Service Legislation, Minimum Wage Legislation, No Smoking and HB 9 (Public Records) on February 1 in Columbus. Becky also mentioned that the HB 187 (Civil Service Bill) will go into effect on July 1, 2007 and HB 9 (Public Records) will go into effect on June 27, 2007.

Becky also informed the Board that the new telephone system bid specs are being prepared by Bob Arend of Arend Enterprises. The new system will accommodate the courthouse, the annex building and the Commissioner’s Office. Bob intends to open the bids on February 5, 2007.

The Commissioner’s and Administrator met with the City of Defiance Board of Control to discuss the State Route 66/ US 24 Bridge and later toured the new Family Justice Center.

News Release Approved: ____________________________________________________

Thomas L. Kime, Defiance County Commissioner