NEWS RELEASE

DEFIANCE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

MONDAY, APRIL 28, 2008

The Board of Defiance County Commissioners met in regular session at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, April 28, 2008 in the Conference Room in the Commissioners Office at 500 Court Street, Suite A, Defiance, Ohio 43512. Chairman Thomas L. Kime called the meeting to order. Also present was Commissioners James E. Harris, Jr. and Otto L. Nicely, Laura Howell, County Administrator, Cara Brown, Clerk, and Joanne Goerlitz, Deputy Clerk.

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

During General Session, the Commissioners discussed an Annexation Petition that was filed by North 24 Properties, LLC. The Petition for Annexation was filed on April 1, 2008 for annexation of 8.815 acres of land located in Richland Township to the City of Defiance. After review of the Petition, the Commissioners approved the Annexation Petition filed by North 24 Properties, LLC.

Warren Schlatter, Defiance County Engineer, met with the Commissioners for his weekly update.

Warren noted that he reviewed the plans for the US 24 & SR 66 Interchange and Corridor Improvement Project with the City of Defiance and further discussion will take place with the City during the Commissioners study session on April 30^th. Warren also reviewed with the Commissioners the Ohio Drainage Laws Petition Procedures.

Bruce Clevenger, Barb Rohrs and Teresa Johnson form the Ohio State University Extension Office updated the Commissioners on several programs offered through OSU Extension.

Bruce reported that they hosted the 2008 Ag Outlook and Policy Meeting which included topics on the 2008 Farm Bill, China Trade and U.S. Economy and an outlook on 2008 Farming Inputs and Grain Markets. Bruce noted that a new research project was initiated at the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center in Wood County to look for another source of oil for biofuel manufacturing. An oilseed crop named Camelina is being studied as a potential oil source. The study will evaluate if Camelina is suitable to grow in Ohio. Camelina is currently grown in Nebraska, Minnesota and Montana. Bruce also mentioned that he is working with Defiance County Emergency Management Agency in upgrading the current Flood Mitigation Assistance Plan for Defiance County to be in compliance with the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Also, Bruce reported that the OSU Extension Report can be seen onTV26 on Monday and Wednesday at 8:00 p.m., Saturday at 9:00 p.m. and Sunday at 9:00 a.m. or on-demand at www.tv26.net.

Barb reported that requests for money management classes are increasing. Fourteen families requested information to manage their incomes better, develop a budget, organize bills and make payments or to understand the steps in purchasing a home. Barb noted that a grant was received to offer Annie’s Project in Defiance County. Seventeen women enrolled in this risk assessment program for women involved in agriculture. Also, the Family Nutrition Program (FNP) presented 25 educational sessions with approximately 184 participants. The program focuses on nutrition, food safety, stretching food dollars and food preparation. FNP Programs and information is available at the Defiance County Department of Job and Family Services, WIC, Senior Center, low income housing sites and food pantries.

Teresa reported that the 4-H Educator made a presentation to 75 individuals at the Ohio Fair Manager’s Conference on using various computer software programs for junior fair entries and then exporting the information in usable format for a variety of forms, certificates, exhibit tags, etc. Defiance

County Junior Fairboard had 5 people in attendance for Junior Fair Day. Also the 4-H Educator and Office Support Staff presented a new program to 38 women entitled “Using Quicken for Computerized Farm Records” for computerized record keeping. Teresa noted that 4-H was promoted by the Annual 4-H Mall Show held in March at the Northtowne Mall in Defiance. Nineteen 4-H Clubs were represented by 96 members and over 75 4-H projects were on display. Defiance County 4-H Horse Council, Defiance County Fair Foundation, 4-H Advisory Council and 4-H Food and Fashion Board also had displays.

The Commissioners conducted a Second Public Hearing for the FY 2008 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program. Liz Keel and Dennis Miller of Maumee Valley Planning Organization was in attendance to review the program. Funds in the amount of $63,000.00 is available and the County can allocate the funds for up to six projects. Funds will be available to use in September, 2008 and projects must be completed by December 31, 2009. Another meeting will be scheduled with the Commissioners for selection of the projects.

The Joint Board of Commissioners of Defiance and Paulding Counties met at the Paulding County Commissioners’ Office to review Bid Proposals that were received and opened on April 24, 2008 for the Beetree Run Project. After review of the Bids, the project was awarded to S.A. Sidle Construction, Inc., Holgate, OH in the amount of $49,766.00.

Release Approved: ____________________________________________________

Thomas L. Kime, Defiance County Commissioner