NEWS RELEASE

DEFIANCE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

WEDNESDAY, JULY 27 AND

THURSDAY, JULY 28, 2005

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, July 28, 2005. The meeting was called to order by Chairman Otto L. Nicely. Also present were Commissioners Thomas L. Kime and Richard L. Cromwell; Becky Wagner, Administrator; Lyla Gurwell, Clerk, and JoAnnn Goerlitz, Deputy Clerk.

8:30 a.m. General Session Commissioners approved and signed various resolutions, contracts and documents, approved several travel requests, reviewed the agenda items and the calendar of events, discussed upcoming meetings and updated information for the calendar of events.

9:45 a.m. Dennis McKay and Mary Ritter from Defiance County Job & Family Services came in to meet with the Commissioners. The Board went into Executive Session to discuss the hiring of Personnel. No decision was made on this subject.

9:30 a.m. Administrator, Becky Wagner met with the Commissioners regarding the Defiance County East building and advised that she had met with the architect to review the progress of the work being done within the new facility.

The Administrator reviewed county policies with various departments and discussed possible changes with the Commissioners.

1:00 p.m. Defiance County Planning Commissioner Meeting - The Commissioners attended their Defiance County Planning Commission meeting. Among the topics of review were the proposed zoning amendment to the Defiance Township Zoning Map, Land Use map and zoning ordinance. Also discussed was the need to re-plat the Mandyville Subdivision, now to be named the White Tail Subdivision. The committee also discussed the need for a Preliminary Plat of the Westrick Addition in Tiffin Township.

8:30 a.m. - July 27 Study Session Met with the county Auditor, Marlene Goodwin to review how senate bill 66 will affect the county budget. The Auditor stated that this could affect the county funding at approximately $250,000. The commissioners talked about consolidation of services with other counties, city and villages. At the present time, we do have consolidated efforts of the Regional Jail, Solid Waste District, 911, Emergency Management Activities and Homeland Security.

10:00 a.m. – July 27 Study Session The commissioners and City Administration Officials toured American Ag Fuels and discussed a new pilot plant project that will have the capability of producing over one million gallons of biodiesel annually. This new operation in the city of Defiance will create additional employment opportunities. The Commissioners and City Administration along with Economic Development Director Jerry Hayes will continue to work with American Ag Fuels.

3:00 p.m. The Defiance and the Paulding County Commissioners met at the Evergreen Office complex regarding the Carryall Ditch Tile. Construction of this project will improve water management and development by promoting the economical, industrial, and social development of the watershed area. Estimated cost of the project is approximately $180,000. This is a joint project with both Paulding and Defiance County Commissioners.

Approved for news release: _____________________________

Otto L. Nicely, Commissioner