NEWS RELEASE

DEFIANCE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2006

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, December 14, 2006. Chairman Thomas L. Kime called the meeting to order. Also present were Commissioners Richard L. Cromwell, Otto L. Nicely, County Administrator Becky Wagner, Clerk Lyla Gurwell and Deputy Clerk Joanne Goerlitz.

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

The Commissioners signed the resolution to authorize Defiance County Engineer, Warren Schlatter to sign the LPA Agreements for the Casebeer-Miller Road project, which will be bid in January.

The Commissioners also approved the 2007 mileage rate for Defiance County. Per the Internal Revenue Service, the reimbursable rate charged for mileage is now at 48.5 per mile.

The Board also passed resolution to appoint Becky Wagner, Defiance County Operations Manager/ Administrator as the Protected Health Information (PHI) and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability (HIPAA) Privacy Security Officer. Becky will be responsible for data within the plans and general administrative duties. Becky will also be trained on all policies and procedures necessary to fulfill the duties of this appointment.

Becky Wagner, Defiance County Administrator met with the Commissioners for her weekly update.

Becky stated since the courthouse sales tax did not pass, she would be scheduling a meeting with Lynn Sodin from the Department of Justice concerning ADA requirements. Lynn stated her visit would assist us in assessing the ADA needs and compliance issues.

Becky also indicated she met with Warren Schlatter, Defiance County Engineer to discuss the removal of trees from job sites. Warren explained if any persons wanted the wood, they would be put on a list at the Engineer’s Office and the wood would go to the person closest to the job site and deliver the wood to that party.

The Commissioners then met with Kevin Hancock from Defiance County Soil & Water regarding placing the McCavit Road Ditch on the maintenance program. The Commissioners approved the placement.

Kevin also discussed the Johnson Ditch. Kevin requested the ditch not be put on maintenance because they did not have 100% participation with the property owners flowing into the ditch.

The Commissioners also met with Chief Mark Marentette regarding the need to have one Medical Director to handle Emergency Medical Services in Defiance County. The Commissioners discussed the need for a uniform set of protocol throughout the county for emergency response personnel. Chief Marentette informed Commissioners that the City would be using a different Medical Director than the County. The Commissioners will discuss this further with township officials and other EMS entities.

News Release Approved: __________________________________________________

Commissioner/ Chairman – Thomas L. Kime