NEWS RELEASE

DEFIANCE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

MONDAY, JANUARY 9, 2006

The Board of Defiance County Commissioners met in regular session at 8:30 a.m. in the Conference Room of the Board of Defiance County Commissioners, 500 Court Street, Suite A, Defiance, Ohio 43512 on Monday, January 9, 2006. The meeting was called to order by Chairman Otto L. Nicely. Also present were Commissioners Thomas L. Kime and Richard L. Cromwell; Becky Wagner, County Administrator, Lyla Gurwell, Clerk and Joanne Goerlitz, Deputy Clerk.

8:30 A.M. Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, Russ Herman met with Commissioners for his biweekly update.

Russ discussed the Wal-Mart Purchase Agreement. Russ indicated that the Environmental Covenant is still pending and is in the hands of Wal-Mart attorneys.

Also reported that there is a public hearing set for this afternoon at 1:00 p.m. to transfer money from one Capitol fund to another. This transfer is to cover the renovation/ remodeling costs at Defiance County East.

9:00 A.M. General Session - The yearly Commissioners reorganization meeting was held first. Commissioner Tom Kime was elected as Chairman of the Board of Commissioners for 2006; Commissioner Richard Cromwell was elected as Vice-Chair. Lyla Gurwell was reappointed as Clerk, and Sherry Carnahan, Joanne Goerlitz and Deb Bloomfield were reappointed as Deputy Clerks and Becky Wagner was reappointed as Operations Manager/ Administrator.

The 2006 mileage rate resolution (44.5 cents per mile) and the yearly generic travel resolution were passed.

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

Jane Tadsen submitted her December 2005 report. Jane’s office reported 170 Deeds, 257 Mortgages, 238 Releases, 4 Leases, 8 Power of Attorneys, 3 Soldier Discharges and 2 Plats were recorded.

10:00 A.M. Defiance County Engineer, Warren Schlatter met with Commissioners and discussed that his office received correspondence from the Ohio Department of Transportation regarding the construction plans and purchasing of right-of-way for the new relocated U.S. Route 24. Warren reported that since the project will require the alteration of local roadways, ODOT will need to obtain legislation with all of the effected local governments. ODOT is requesting passage of two types of legislation, Consent and CS-19 Legislation. The C-10 Legislation addresses all changes that will be made to local highways.

Warren also reported the total 2005 Accumulated Revenue was up slightly from 2004 year end.

The date of Thursday, January 26, 2006 was set for the Township Trustees and Elected Officials annual meeting. It will begin at 6:00 p.m. and be held at the Public Safety Services facility on Mill Street.

10:30 A.M. Tina Mohring, Director of Family and Children First along with Heather Huffman, Director of Help Me Grow came in for their monthly update.

Tina and Heather brought Alex Russell in to meet with the Commissioners. Alex is the new Parent Mentor Specialist and was hired by Northwest Ohio Community Action Commission.

Alex will be conducting home visits to provide in home parenting curriculum that will encourage and educate parents to improve their ability to make positive parenting decisions. This program helps to develop good parenting skills in order to maintain family stability. The program also promotes a positive environment. This is a 12-15 hour per week program. Alex has not yet been to visit families but has received several referrals. Those families eligible for this program must be living within Defiance County and have children from birth to age 10 and whose income is at or below 300% of the federal poverty guidelines.

Tina Mohring, Director of Family & Children First also reported on the ABC Program. This is the Access to Better Care initiative. The plan focuses on intensive home based therapy for families in need.

Tina also mentioned House Bill 289 – this is new legislation that mandates each Family & Children First Council to conduct an annual report that documents the County’s progress toward impacting the 7 Commitments for child Well Being. There will be over 72 indicators outlined that will prove the commitments are being met. Tina was not clear on whether the county picks the indicators they would like to use or if the state will be picking the indicators. All 72 indicators will not need to be reported on.

Heather Huffman, Director of Help Me Grow talked about the billboards placed within Defiance County. The billboards will be advertising early childhood screenings in Hicksville and Defiance. The Hicksville screening will be at Grace United on Thursday, March 2, 2006 from 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. The Defiance Screening will be on March 6 & 7, 2006 at Zion Lutheran Church.

Heather also reported they are still looking for a Family Support Specialist to replace a vacant position. Heather has discussed sharing the position with Williams County in order to share in the cost since the responsibilities are requirements are the same. Doing this would save on travel and trainings and the position would grow from 10 hours per week to 20.

11:00 A.M. Tina Hiler, Director of Defiance County Senior Center met with the Board of Commissioners for her update.

Tina mentioned that the Ohio Advisory Council will be meeting in Defiance o May 22, 2006 at various sites throughout the day and includes the Defiance County Senior Center for lunch. Tina extended an invitation to the Commissioners to attend.

Tina also discussed the need for physicals for the Senior Center drivers. The physical is to check hearing and vision and would keep the center in compliance with the PASSPORT Program.

Approved for news release: _____________________________

Thomas L. Kime, Commissioner