NEWS RELEASE

DEFIANCE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 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 Thursday, January 12, 2006. The meeting was called to order by Chairman Thomas L. Kime. Also present were Commissioners Richard L. Cromwell and Otto L. Nicely; Becky Wagner, County Administrator, Lyla Gurwell, Clerk and Joanne Goerlitz, Deputy Clerk.

8:30 A.M. General Session - 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.

The Special Funds Budget and Unappropriated and Interest amounts in the General Funds Budgets were passed in General Session. The Special Funds Budget amount for 2006 is $51,550,139.27. The Unappropriated fund amount is $2,666,968.92 and the Interest fund for 2006 is $1,553,725.16.

Jean Ziegler, Clerk of Courts sent her Monthly Activity Report to the Board for their review. Jean collected $10,975.15 in legal fees, $4,392.32 in Title Fees for the Month of December, 2005.

Also reported Certificate of Title Administration Fees collected were $8,157.17

The number of titles issued was 2,090 which included 115 New Car Titles, 18 Motorcycle Titles, 2 Motor Home Titles, 1,309 Used Car Titles, 19 Manufactured Home Titles, 65 New Truck Titles, 13 Trailer Titles, 44 Off-road Vehicle Titles, 461 Used Truck Titles, 6 Travel Trailer Titles and 8 Watercraft Titles. Jean also noted 538 Notification of Liens and 445 Inspections.

9:30 A.M. Becky Wagner, County Administrator submitted her report.

Becky reported that she is working with the Records Center as they speak with document management vendors to establish what the counties needs are. The Commissioners indicated that currently there is no funding available this year for a new program but will review for future years.

Becky also reported that the renovations at the Sheriff’s office are moving along.

The Defiance County Engineer’s office has hired a new employee to do the Tax Mapping for their department. Mike Moats will begin his duties for Defiance County Engineer, Warren Schlatter on January 19^th.

10:30 A.M. Nancy Porter, Humane Society came in to discuss their budget. Nancy indicated that they are setting up fund raisers for the Humane Society during 2006. The first being the 1^st Annual Antique Show being held in March. The 12^th Annual Monte Carlo will follow in April and then the 3^rd Annual Golf Outing this summer. The 3^rd Annual Mutt Strut will be held in September.

Nancy understands that with the natural disasters that occurred this year, it is difficult for everyone to commit to donating, but wanted to make sure that Defiance County residents were aware of the commitment from the staff at the shelter as well as the different programs they manage at the shelter.

They administer professional treatment for all injured, ill, stray or unwanted animals. They provide for their safety and comfort and alleviate their suffering and try to place the animals in homes that will provide a quality lifetime commitment for both the animal and the family.

The shelter educates the public to help foster good behavior toward the animals and establishes positive relationships with the families.

Nancy also reported that they received 2,795 animals in 2004 and 2,469 animals in 2005. She attributes the slight decrease based on their efforts from spaying and neutering the animals.

Nancy proposed an increase in their budget to the Board of Commissioners. The Commissioners will take all of the materials submitted under advisement and will make a decision at a later date.

11:00 A.M. Dr. Preston, Defiance County Coroner came in to discuss the appointment of a Deputy Coroner. The Board of Commissioners requested a letter from Dr. Preston with his recommendation for appointment of a Deputy County Coroner.

11:30 A.M. – The Board of Commissioners initiated a telephone call to Brenda Sinclair with Ohio Department of Development regarding the issue of possible funding for the R & L Enterprise project Krouse Road Grade Separation. Dennis Miller and Will Burns with Maumee Valley Planning as well as Jerry Hayes with Economic Development came in to participate in the conversation.

Brenda checked to see if Defiance County would be eligible to receive special future funding for this project and she indicated that we are not eligible as we had already applied for and received funding for the Manville Road project.

1:30 P.M. City Officials met with the Board of Commissioners to discuss a possible waterline project on Elliott Road along with funding of the project.

The Commissioners also discussed the progress of the R & L Enterprise Project. The Board of Commissioners informed the City of their conversation with Brenda Sinclair with Ohio Department of Development regarding the Krouse Road Grade Separation funding. City Officials were informed that funding through ODOD is not available.

Approved for news release: _____________________________

Thomas L. Kime, Commissioner