NEWS
RELEASE
DEFIANCE
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
MONDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2010
The Board of Defiance County Commissioners met in regular session at
8:30 a.m. on Monday, December 20, 2010 in the Conference Room in the
Commissioners Office at 500 Court Street, Suite A, Defiance,
Ohio 43512. Chairman James E. Harris,
Jr. called the meeting to
order. Also present were Commissioners Thomas L.
Kime and Otto L. Nicely, 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. The Commissioners
approved the FY 2011 General Fund budget of $10,370,700.38.
Todd Gibson,
Squires, Sanders & Dempsey, Susan Payden, ProMedica Health Systems, and
Gary Cates, Defiance Regional Medical Center, met with the Commissioners to
present a bond issue.
Lucas County would
now like to refinance the bond that was issued in 2005 and needs the Defiance
County Board of Commissioners permission, by Resolution and a Third
Supplemental Agreement, to spend the proceeds of the bond in Defiance County.
The County will assume no responsibility for any debt associated with this bond
issue. The Board approved the new bond issue.
Warren Schlatter, Defiance County Engineer, met with the Commissioners
for an update. Warren informed the Board
that there are trees being removed along Christy Road. Warren also reviewed snow plowing. There are two shifts that run: 4:00 am – 4:00
pm and 4:00 pm – 4:00 am. The first
shift has 10 drivers and the second shift has 3 drivers covering approximately
660 lane miles of roadway. The roads are
given a priority listing by traffic counts.
The higher the traffic count, the sooner the road will be plowed.
Greg Reinhart, Defiance County Wastewater Operations, met with the
Commissioners for an update. Greg
reported the following being done: installed new aerators at Middle Gordon
Creek; mowed express sewer lane; rebuilt grinder on Switzer Road. Greg reported billing out $40,796.45, collecting
$39,315.55 and having expenses of $53,695.64 in November.
Bruce Clevenger, Barb Rohrs, and Teresa Johnson, OSU Extension met with
the Commissioners for an update.
Bruce reported that during 2010 the agriculture/natural resources
educator handled over 530 phone calls and/or personal visits. During 2010, 13 OSU Extension Master Gardener
Volunteers completed 50 hours of horticultural training. 43 Master Gardeners volunteered 3,238 hours,
valued at $65,570 throughout Defiance County at various community
beautification and educational projects.
Community Garden Plots continue to enhance gardening experience in
Defiance and Hicksville, and groundwork has been
established for a new community garden in Sherwood.
Teresa Johnson reported that the 4-H educator has collaborated with
many area organizations to provide educational programs to county youth
including: Brownie troops, Libraries, Fashion & Nutrition Board,
Cloverbuds, Rabbit Clinin, Camp Palmer, Horse Quality
Assurance Program. The 4-H Youth
Development Educator is currently working with Defiance College and its
Wellness and Corporate Fitness major as a guest lecturer for the Camp
Counseling class and to establish and intern program as well as a new
leadership development class.
Barb Rohrs reported that the Family Nutrition Program is supported by a
$40,000 grant in cooperation with USDA, Job and Family Services and Ohio State
University Extension. Programs are
presented at several sites throughout the county and reached over 850 families
with information on stretching food dollar, food safety and making better food
choices with their food dollars.
Individual financial education requests increased in 2010, reflecting
local job layoffs. Families are looking
for ways to manage their income. Annie’s
Project, a risk management program for women involved in family farms, was conducted
with 13 families attending.
The Commissioners held a bid opening for a 2011 police cruiser for the
Sheriff’s Office. The following bids
were received: Integrity Motor Sales,
Inc. – 2011 Dodge Charger - $22,945.00 and Mark Moats Ford – 2011 Crown
Victoria - $20,999.00. The Commissioners
took the bids under advisement and will award at a later date.
The Commissioners held a study session in the afternoon.
Release Approved: ____________________________________________________
James E.
Harris, Jr., Defiance County Commissioner