NEWS RELEASE

DEFIANCE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2006

The Board of Defiance County Commissioners met in regular session at 8:30 a.m. in the Hicksville Village Council Room, Hicksville, Ohio on Thursday, September 7, 2006. Chairman Thomas L. Kime called the meeting to order. Also present were Commissioner’s Richard L. Cromwell, Otto L. Nicely, County Administrator Becky Wagner, Clerk Lyla Gurwell, and Deputy Clerk Joanne Goerlitz.

Joanne Goerlitz.

General Session – The Commissioners were presented with various resolutions and documents for approval. The Commissioners reviewed agenda items, discussed upcoming meetings, reviewed, and updated the calendar of events.

The Commissioners signed resolutions for addendums to the contract between the Defiance County Board of Commissioners and the Defiance County General Health District for the Help Me Grow Project. The provisions of the amendment reflect an increase of $10,000 in TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) funds for the term of the contract.

Also amended was the contract between Defiance County Board of Commissioners, Family and Children First and the Defiance County Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities for Help Me Grow. The provisions of the amendment for this contract reflect an increase of $18,006, which is broken down to $15,000 in TANF funds and $3,006 in General Revenue Funds for term of the contact.

The Commissioners also signed a resolution to set 2.255 acres of public land aside to use for the Schick Road Canoe Launch Site. The land was acquired with assistance provided by the ODNR through the Nature Works Grant Program. One of the requirements of the grant program states the property may not be converted to any other public recreation use without the written approval of the ODNR.

Warren Schlatter, Defiance County Engineer submitted resolutions for approval of the Board requesting authorization to apply for Ohio Public Works funding from the LTIP (Local Improvement Program) for reconstruction of the Stever Road Bridge Deck and also reconstruction of Hicksville-Spencerville Road.

The Engineer also requested authorization to apply for funding through the State Capitol Improvement Program (SCIP) for the reconstruction of Hicksville-Spencerville Road from the Ohio-Indiana State Line to Casebeer-Miller Road.

On the return trip from Hicksville, the Commissioners stopped at the Sherwood Cemetery to view the Civil War Monument. The monument is in need of repair and will need to be restored in the near future.

A Question and Answer session took place with Defiance County College student Adam Fullenkamp. Adam asked the Board how Mega Farms benefit Defiance County. The Commissioners indicated the Mega Farms provide employment and generates revenue within the county and surrounding areas.

Adam also asked if the Commissioners had any concerns with the Mega Farms being in Defiance County. The Commissioners mentioned that they have not received any complaints on the Mega Farms in Defiance County as they are both well run operations. The Commissioners informed Adam there are rules and regulations that are in effect that govern the waste management of the farms and is very closely monitored by the Defiance County Soil & Water Department. Defiance County has not had any problems with Mega Farms, as they have been very good about following waste management and environmental guidelines.

Defiance County Administrator Becky Wagner presented her report to the Board. Becky reported the Airport Sewer Project construction would begin on October 9, 2006. The project was awarded in July to R. G. Zachrich for $179,409.27.

News Release Approved: ____________________________________________________

Thomas L. Kime, Defiance County Commissioner