NEWS RELEASE

DEFIANCE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 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, February 16, 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, 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 and updated the calendar of events.

The Commissioners appointed a Board of Appeals to Handle Variances Per Access Management Regulations. Those appointed were Lisa Karcher (4 Year Term), Tom Henry (3 Year Term), Larry Yoder (2 Year Term) Tim Houck (alternate – 4 Year Term), Herb Retcher (alternate 4 Year Term).

The Commissioners also appointed the District 5, Issue II Integrating Committee – Jeff Leonard, City Administrator and John Seele, City of Defiance Finance Director (Alternate) were appointed to serve on the committee through March 2009.

The Board of Commissioners signed the contract for Joint Construction of the Elliott Road project. The agreement is between Defiance County Commissioners and the City of Defiance as part of the improvement of U.S. Route 24 within Defiance County. As part of the U.S. Route 24 Improvements, Elliott Road will be used for interstate commerce at times during the U.S. 24 construction.

Both the County and the City have pledged the sum of $500,000 to defray expenditures incurred by ODOT for improvements to the U.S. Route 24 corridor which will be beneficial to local transportation within the County.

The Commissioners also awarded the Elliott Road Project Bid to Schumm Plumbing and Heating, Van Wert, Ohio for the amount of $1,062,165.50.

9:30 A.M. Becky Wagner, Defiance County Administrator presented her weekly report to Commissioners.

Becky discussed the construction of the Maintenance Building adjacent to the Defiance County East Office Complex.

Becky reported she spoke to the Maintenance Supervisor about the progress and reported the maintenance building passed all of the rough inspections. The drywall was up, the water line was tapped and run into the building and the electrical work was being done.

10:30 A.M. Randy Vogel, Defiance County Humane Officer met with Commissioners to review his monthly report.

Randy reported a total of 108 complaints, took 23 dogs to the shelter, made 261 personal contacts, issued 12 warnings and wrote 17 citations. Randy also mentioned that he took 1,160 pounds to the landfill and drove a total of 2,516 miles from January 1, 2006 through January 31, 2006.

Randy also reported that dog tag sales were up approximately $4,138 from last year but mentioned that these were not the final figures as all agency sales had not been counted.

11:00 A.M. Jerry Overmier, Beilharz Architects came in to discuss plans for the proposed new Senior Center Building and also presented the Commissioners with the cost analysis. Jerry reported that he was scheduled to meet with Tina Hiler later this afternoon to review the plans. The Commissioners advised Jerry that they would prefer the building to reflect the look of the new Defiance County East Campus.

Jerry also presented information on the Courthouse construction and/ or renovation for review by the Commissioners. Jerry provided several options for consideration. The Commissioners will schedule a meeting with the Judges to review the options presented.

News Release Approved: _____________________________

Thomas L. Kime, Commissioner