NEWS RELEASE

DEFIANCE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2010

 

The Board of Defiance County Commissioners met in regular session at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, September 16, 2010 in the Hicksville Village Council Room, Hicksville, Ohio.  Chairman James E. Harris, Jr. called the meeting to order.  Also present were Commissioners Otto L. Nicely and Thomas L. Kime, Laura Howell, Administrator, Stephanie Metz, Clerk, and Lanie Miller, Deputy Clerk. 

 

The Commissioners met in General Session and approved and signed various resolutions, contracts and documents.  The Commissioners also reviewed the calendar of events and discussed upcoming meetings.

 

Laura Howell, Defiance County Administrator, met with the Commissioners for her weekly report and project updates.  Laura informed the Board that the Northwest Ohio’s River Region (NORR) is planning a Fall Foliage Kickoff on the website that will include fall recipes, driving/walking/boating itineraries to enjoy the fall colors and new fall pictures.  The NORR committee members will be the judges at the Defiance Ribfest on September 25th.

 

Laura provided the following department updates:

Child Support Sandy Schappert reported for the month of August, 2010: Approximate caseload is 2,850 cases with orders and 307 without orders, August collections were $601,835 with year-to-date collections at $4,979,194. The average collection per case is $211.00.

Public Safety Julie Rittenhouse will be hosting an open house for National Preparedness Month on Monday, September 20th from Noon until 7:00 pm.  We have the Emergency Operation Center set up as if we had an actual incident. The following will be displayed: Hazmat Trucks, the Hazmat Decon Shelter, a table of HazMat Suits, the Sheriff’s Regional Communications Vehicle from Hancock County, Defiance County Sheriff’s boat, and other Hazmat Equipment out of the trucks.  Volunteer opportunities will be available through Defiance County Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT), Medical Reserve Corp (MRC) and the local Chapter of the American Red Cross.

Senior Services Tina Hiler has received approval from Area Office on Aging to continue to deliver frozen meals until the move to the new Senior Center takes place.  Transportation and Rest and Recuperation programs are still being provided.  The move is on hold waiting on final inspections and a certificate of occupancy.

            Landfill Tim Houck reported that the Household Hazardous Waste Collection event will be held on September 25th from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm in the South parking lot of Johns Manville located at 925 Carpenter Road.  Johns Manville, LaFarge Corporation of Paulding, Environmental Recycling Group (ERG) of Bowling Green, Joint Solid Waste Management District of Defiance, Fulton, Paulding and Williams Counties and the Defiance County Environmental and Administrative Services with the labor provided by Defiance College baseball team. We will be accepting the following, provided they are in original containers with manufacturer’s labels: Paint, Thinners, Turpentine, Lighter fluid, Polishes, Used Oil, Old Gasoline, Kerosene, Antifreeze, Florescent Bulbs, Mercury & Mercury Containing Devices, electronics, computers, TV’s (limit: 1 TV per vehicle), Batteries (vehicle batteries, Ni-CD, Lithium Ion and household batteries), and scrap metal (limit: 40 lbs per vehicle).  We will NOT be accepting the following: Non-labeled waste containers, Adhesives, Pharmaceuticals, Needles & Medical Waste, Pool chemicals, Acids & Caustics, Drain Cleaners, Propane, Strong Chemicals, Rat Poison, Insecticides, Appliances, Tires, Ammunition, Asbestos, Trash, Bleach & Household cleaners, or laboratory chemicals.  Please Note: The HHW drive is for residents of the Four County Solid Waste District, no materials from businesses or government agencies will be accepted. If your business has hazardous waste materials to dispose, please call the Ohio EPA 419-373-3059.

 

Randy Vogel, Defiance County Dog Warden, met with the Commissioners for an update.  Randy reported investigating 144 complaints resulting in 31 warnings and 37 citations in August.  There were 27 dogs taken to the shelter and 340 personal contacts made.  There were 3,717 miles driven and $686.00 court fine receipts.  Randy reported that to date dog tag sales are up $9,297.00 compared to 2009.

 

The Commissioners attended the Northwest Ohio Engineers and Commissioners Association Quarterly Meeting in Union County. 

 

On Friday, September 17, 2010 the Commissioners are meeting with Jerry Hayes, Defiance County Economic Development, for an update at Defiance County East.

 

The Commissioners recently received the monthly activity report from Amy Galbraith, Defiance County Clerk of Courts.  Amy reported collecting $8,278.49 in legal fees and $20,941.03 in title fees, depositing $69,644.63 in legal and $359,373.05 in title and collecting $347,883.34 in sales or use and dealers’ tax and $2,168.66 in watercraft tax.  Amy also reported issuing 1,736 titles, 346 notation of liens and 551 inspections.

 

Release Approved:  ____________________________________________________  

 

                                                James E. Harris, Jr., Defiance County Commissioner