NEWS RELEASE

DEFIANCE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 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, August 11, 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 Joanne 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.

 

10:00 a.m.    Becky Wagner, Administrator, presented the following for the Board’s review:

 

Becky submitted a request to the Commissioners to attend the “Giving Leadership Away” seminar being sponsored by the Black Swamp Safety Council on August 25th at Sauder Heritage Inn.  Attending this seminar would entitle Defiance County to earn credit for attendance in the 4% discount program for Workers Comp. 

 

The Board discussed the new telephone system for the Board of Elections and Veterans Offices.  Becky received information on the cost for the new system. It has become increasingly difficult to obtain parts to repair the obsolete system.

 

The Board also discussed the need for a paging system at the new Defiance East Office Complex.  Becky will meet on August 26th with those agencies moving into the new building to discuss their desire to have a paging system installed.  Based on the quote submitted, the cost for the new paging system is $6,293.

 

Becky spoke with Ron Cereghin, maintenance supervisor regarding the parking lot at DCE and Ron mentioned that the lot should be ready to seal in August.  They will need to get the parking lot cleaned up prior to the work.

 

Becky continues to monitor the renovation progress at the site of Defiance County East to ensure that all agencies as well as the moving company, Defiance Truck & Transfer will be ready to begin moving as soon as these details are ironed out.

 

In other business, Becky reported on Family & Children 1st.  They applied for an $8,000 grant and was awarded $4,000 at this time through The United Way.  To receive the additional $4,000, Family & Children 1st will need to re-apply for the additional money at a later date.

 

11:00 a.m.  Tina Hiler, Director of the Defiance County Senior Center updated the Commissioners on their budget which included meals, supplies, equipment, travel, repairs, etc.  One of the more costly expenditures for the Senior Center is the purchase of a vehicle to transport Seniors comfortably.  They require a larger vehicle to accommodate transporting wheel chairs for the disabled persons.  Normally the vehicles they are using have been purchased through State Bid as there are state specs that the Senior Center needs to follow when purchasing this type of vehicle.  The mileage on the vehicles purchased is usually extremely high which does not provide the option of low maintenance.  The goal of the Board as well as the Senior Center is to be able to purchase a low mileage vehicle either through the state or from a local business with low mileage and gently used.  Ms. Hiler requested permission to contact private foundations to request their support in the purchase of a vehicle for her department.

 

The total transportation miles as of June were 52,735, total transportation trips as of June were 6,891, total in town medical trips as of June were 1,251 and total out of town medical trips for the month of June were 250.

 

The Commissioners were pleased to hear that the Defiance Eagles made a very generous donation of $2,000 for Senior Day at the Defiance County Fair.

 

The paving of the parking lot at the Senior Center in Hicksville is now complete.  Tina reported that they are very pleased with the outcome.

 

The Commissioners would also like to thank the Defiance County Senior Services Auxiliary for their support of the Senior Center.

 

Tina Hiler and the Commissioners are reviewing a proposal submitted for a vertical lift platform for the Senior Center and will make a decision on this proposal at a later date. 

 

Tina also discussed she has been in contact with Rick Small who will begin hosting remote coverage beginning in October to discuss the different events at the Senior Center.

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

Approved for news release:          _____________________________

Otto L. Nicely, Commissioner