NEWS RELEASE

DEFIANCE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

MONDAY, APRIL 3, 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, April 3, 2006. Chairman Thomas L. Kime called the meeting to order. Also present were Commissioner Richard Cromwell, Commissioner Otto Nicely, Administrator, Becky Wagner, Lyla Gurwell, Clerk and Joanne Goerlitz, Deputy Clerk.

Jerry Overmier from Beilharz Architects updated the Commissioners on the progress of the maintenance building. Jerry will view the progress of the buildings today and update the Commissioners. This project is scheduled to be completed by the end of the week.

Jerry also brought in preliminary building plans for the Courthouse as well as a rendering of the new Senior Center building. The Commissioners will review their options and continue to work with Jerry.

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 have scheduled a preliminary meeting for early April to review the County’s Comprehensive Plan. Hicksville, Richland and Noble Townships were invited to review the plan, which was originally developed in 2000 and needs to be reviewed and updated.

Jerry Hayes and Will Burns from Economic Development came in to discuss the Elliott Road Water and Sewer Project. The discussion focused on preparing the entire Elliott corridor for future business.

Warren Schlatter, Defiance County Engineer came in to discuss upcoming bridge projects. Warren brought in project estimates for Glenburg Road, Vine Street, Defiance/ Henry County Line Road and Harper Road.

The Commissioners approved the plans for the replacement of the Glenburg Road Bridge north of Bostater Road. The bridge has been closed for a number of months due to structural damage. The bridge was posted with a 3-ton weight limit and a truck weighing in excess of 8-ton crossed the bridge and caused structural damage. The bridge was on the schedule for replacement with federal funds in 2009, but will be done this year.

Bruce Goodwin candidate for State Rep came in to discuss local government issues with the Commissioners. The Commissioners indicated one of their major concerns is mandated issues at the county level with no funding to take care of the matter. One such issue is the new voting machines that were mandated and the local governments are required to pay for the training on the voting machines as well as the expense of the programming.

Another issue is the local government funds that have been cut. The Commissioners are extremely concerned about this matter. This issue affects all county government offices as well as the citizens.

Commissioners asked Mr. Goodwin what his position was on several issues and were impressed with his answers. All of the Commissioners voiced their support for Mr. Goodwin’s candidacy.

Environmental Services Director Tim Houck came in for his March update.

Tim reported the annual percentages for 2006 compacted cubic yards are at 76%, loose cubic yards are at 33%. The annual tons collected through February 2006 are at 17,813 tons. Total cubic yards through February are 45,889 and leachate monthly gallon totals through February are 246,830.

News Release Approved: ________________________________

Thomas L. Kime, Commissioner