NEWS RELEASE

DEFIANCE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2008

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, December 4, 2008. Chairman Thomas L. Kime called the meeting to order. Also present were Commissioners James E. Harris, Jr. and Otto L. Nicely, Laura Howell, County Administrator, Stephanie Metz, Clerk and Joanne Goerlitz, Deputy Clerk.

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

The Commissioners authorized Randy Vogel, Defiance County Dog Warden to perform a cost-analysis study to determine the costs to the county for providing the following services: euthanizing an owner’s dog, housing a dog picked up for running at-large, picking up a dog the owner no longer wants and various veterinary costs provided for emergency calls. Once this study has been done, the Commissioners will review the study to determine if the current fees charged by the Dog Warden need to be revised to reflect an accurate cost of the service.

The Commissioners approved the Real Estate Purchase Agreement for the Spencer Elementary School. The agreement provides for the Commissioners to purchase the Spencer School property for $185,000.00. Closing will be no later than May, 2009 after the asbestos removal project has been completed. Commissioners will be paying the local share of the cost of asbestos abatement under the OSFC program.

Laura Howell, Administrator, provided her weekly update to the Board. Laura provided the Board with an update of County projects. The Commissioners authorized Laura to e-mail Holiday cards to all departments and agencies in lieu of purchasing and mailing cards.

Larry Woods and Faye Hall, CORSA, and Julie Rittenhouse, EMA Director, met with the Commissioners regarding the CORSA renewal. After discussion, the Commissioners approved the CORSA renewal for 2009.

Ron Cereghin, Maintenance Supervisor, Julie Rittenhouse, Larry Woods and Faye Hall met with the Commissioners regarding the building inspections. Ron Cereghin, Larry Woods and John Brownlee performed the County building inspections on November 5 & 6, 2008. Mr. Woods and Mr. Brownlee noted that the County grounds were in much better shape than in the past.

The Commissioners were approved the payment of vouchers in the afternoon, so there is no special session for Friday, December 5, 2008.

There will be no meeting on Monday, December 8, 2008 due to the Commissioners attending the CCAO/CEAO Annual Winter Conference.

Release Approved: ____________________________________________________

Thomas L. Kime, Defiance County Commissioner