NEWS RELEASE

DEFIANCE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

MONDAY, JANUARY 23, 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 23, 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. 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 still in the hands of Wal-Mart attorneys.

- Commissioners discussed County Facilities. Jerry Overmier from Beilharz Architects is currently working on cost estimates for possible improvements or replacement of the Defiance County Court House, Defiance County Senior Center and the Grandstand at the Defiance County Fairgrounds. The Commissioners committed to continue to work on this and will schedule future public meetings to get the public’s input.

9:00 A.M. General Session Clerk, Lyla Gurwell presented various resolutions, contracts and documents for approval of the Commissioners. Commissioners also approved several travel requests, reviewed the agenda items and the calendar of events, discussed upcoming meetings and updated information for the calendar of events.

10:00 A.M. Warren Schlatter, Defiance County Engineer came in to talk to the Commissioners about the Elliott Road project. Warren indicated that the project should begin during the month of April.

- Also discussed the Access Management program. Warren explained that this program is not meant to deny access to driveways, but to correct the access problems.

- Also mentioned the County will be pursuing legal action for damages to the Glenburg Road Bridge.

10:30 A.M. Mike Boff, Soil & Water came in for the Adams Tile bid opening. Mike opened four bids which included: Damon Ditching, Napoleon, OH - Agra Drain Pipe only $13,410.00, Harry L. Davis Sons, Defiance, OH, Agra Drain Pipe - $9,489.45 or Smooth Drain Pipe - $14,300.90, S & S Directional Boring, Bryan, OH – Agra Drain Pipe - $$29,795.00 or Smooth Drain Pipe - $33,350.00 and Zimmerman Farm Drainage, Hicksville, OH – Agra Drain Pipe - $9,798.50 or Smooth Drain Pipe - $16,206.00. The bids will be taken under advisement by the County Commissioners.

The Commissioners also approved and signed the plans for the Beerbower Ditch Project #99-14.

11:00 A.M. Tim Houck, Defiance County Environmental Services came in to discuss his monthly report with Commissioners.

- Tim reported 2005 annual tons collected were 114,656.21, 2005 cubic yard total was 306,028, 62% of the waste collected at the landfill was compacted.

- Also reported 69% of Johns Manville waste was compacted.

- 2005 Leachate total gallons were 2,091,410 and revenue for the Hicksville Transfer Station was down approximately 30% in December according to Tim Houck due to the facility being open one (1) day during December.

- Tim also reminded the Commissioners about the recycling program. Rechargeable batteries can be taken to Radio Shack at Northtowne Mall and in Hicksville as well as Arps Hardware in Defiance and to Sears at the Northowne Mall in Defiance.

1:30 P.M. Commissioners attended the Solid Waste District and Joint Board meeting in Williams County. The Joint Board of Commissioners, Counties of Defiance, Fulton, and Henry met to discuss the appointment of Roy Miller to fill the unexpired term of Richard Buchs as a representative from Fulton County to the Advisory Board of the Northwest Ohio Juvenile Detention, Training and Rehabilitation Center Board with term expiring April 30, 2007.

- Also, Commissioner Tom Kime was appointed as Chairman of the Four County Joint Board of County Commissioners.

- Steve Baden was appointed Vice chairman of the Four County Joint Board of County Commissioners.

Approved for news release: _____________________________

Thomas L. Kime, Commissioner