NEWS RELEASE

DEFIANCE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 2008

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, March 6, 2008. Vice-Chairman James E. Harris, Jr. called the meeting to order. Also present was Commissioner Otto L. Nicely, Laura Howell, County Administrator and Cara Brown, Clerk. Joanne Goerlitz, Deputy Clerk, was present for the session at the Defiance location. Commissioner Thomas L. Kime was absent.

The Commissioners met in General Session and approved and signed various resolutions, contracts and documents, approved several travel requests, reviewed the agenda items and the calendar of events and discussed upcoming meetings.

Mayor Haver, Hicksville, met with the Commissioners during General Session in Hicksville. The Mayor discussed drainage projects on the North side of the Village by the hospital. Mayor Haver also advised that two residents attended the Village Council meeting on Monday to talk about the proposed road around the new school.

Jane Tadsen, Defiance County Recorder, submitted her February, 2008 report. Jane reported recording 111 Deeds, 252 Mortgages, 213 Releases, and 8 Power of Attorneys. The totals for February, 2008 was $27,612.50 of which $13,593.50 went toward the Housing Trust Fund and $14,019.00 went toward the General Fund.

The Board received the February, 2008 Activity Report from Jean Ziegler, Clerk of Courts. Jean reported collecting Legal fees of $17,020.15 and Title fees of $2,952.44. The Certificate of Title Administrative Fund is at $8,857.33. Jean also reported deposits for the following: Legal fees of $68,283.68 and Title fees of $517,891.40. The Sales or Use and Dealers’ Tax collected was $369,353.62 and Watercraft Tax collected was $480.84. The number of Titles issued was 1,935, the number of Notation of Liens was 455 and the number of inspections was 390.

Laura Howell, Administrator, provided her update to the Commissioners. Laura advised that a Department Head meeting was held earlier in the week and provided an updated from the various departments. Laura advised that Rhonda Casler, Records Archivist, stated that Ottawa County Commissioners will be touring the Records Center on March 26, 2008. Beth Foreman reported that the Help Me Grow early childhood screenings went very good. Thirty-six (36) children were screened in Hicksville and eighty (80) children were screened in Defiance. Morris Murray, Child Support Director, reported collecting $627,075 in support payments in January.

Release Approved: ____________________________________________________

James E. Harris, Jr., Defiance County Commissioner