NEWS RELEASE

DEFIANCE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 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, April 20, 2006.  Chairman Thomas L. Kime called the meeting to order.   Also present were Commissioner’s Richard Cromwell, & Otto Nicely, Lyla Gurwell, Clerk and Joanne Goerlitz, Deputy Clerk.

 

General Session – 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 Board met with Ric Hageman regarding the 283.7 acres of farmland currently leased by Mr. Hageman.  The current agreement is in effect for 5 years and began on March 18, 2002.  The Commissioner’s informed Mr. Hageman that the County will be reducing the farming acreage by 3 ˝ acres along the Tiffin River approximately 40 feet from the wood line for a permanent easement.    The current Agreement will need to be amended to reduce the acreage and the cost to Ric.  The Commissioners will plant grass at that location by May 17th and the specified location will be kept in its natural state. 

 

The Commissioners also informed Mr. Hageman that possibly by fall, after the soybeans are in, a sewer line will be put in and the Commissioners reviewed the location of the sewer line on the map with Ric

 

Due to wetlands mitigation with the Wal-Mart officials, the Commissioners explained to Mr. Hageman the lease will be modified to change the acreage to the lease; the Commissioners will preserve a portion of the farmland from the area as part of the agreement with Wal-Mart.

 

The Commissioners met with Defiance City Board of Control and Economic Development Director, Jerry Hayes to discuss Enterprise Zone Agreements.

 

The Commissioners and City Officials discussed an amendment to the current Enterprise Zone Agreement Policy.  In Lieu of HB66 and the changes that are being made, city and county officials feel they need to come up with a basic starting point. Keeping in mind there is a need to continue to take care of existing local businesses; the Commissioners as well as the City of Defiance will need to clarify guidelines based on the nature of the business and size of the project. It was agreed both County and City need to have a standard policy to maintain consistency.  The Commissioners will have further discussion regarding this matter and discuss the revisions with the City of Defiance as well as Jerry Hayes before and amendment to the plan is complete.

 

Randy Vogel, Defiance County Dog Warden came in for his monthly update.  Randy investigated 153 complaints, handled 8 dog bites and issued 33 court citations.  Randy also reported 37 dogs were taken to the shelter; he made 317 personal contacts and issued 17 warnings.

 

Randy reported door-to-door contacts continue and are now complete in Adams, Tiffin & Richland Townships.  Total license sales at the Hicksville Police Department are at 29, and the Auditor office is at 175.

 

Randy also reported the miles driven for the month of March were at 3,111 and the pounds of euthanized animals taken the landfill was at 840.

 

Randy also reported there seems to be a misconception regarding adopted animals.  Tags are mandatory in the State of Ohio and when purchasing or adopting a dog, you do need to be license the animal.

 

 

News Release Approved:   ______________________________________________

             Thomas L. Kime, Commissioner