NEWS RELEASE

DEFIANCE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21, 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 Tuesday, December 21, 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.

Tim Houck, Director of Environmental Services informed the Commissioners that the Ohio EPA issued the final BAT & the Air permit for the landfill expansion project. Dick Sargeant with Eastman and Smith is working on obtaining the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit.  Mr. Houck expects to have a signed approval letter from Ohio EPA by next week.

The Commissioners approved several lease agreements for the Defiance County East office complex.

The Defiance County Commissioners were awarded $77,161.00 in funds administered by the Area Office on Aging for program year 2007, which begins January 1, 2007.

The Commissioners briefly met with Brent Tow from Hospice. Brent explained there would be an Open House in early February of 2007 for the new 12-bed facility. Brent explained that at the onset, they would open up one wing of the Center that will facilitate six beds.

The Commissioners also met with Becky Wagner, Defiance County Operations Manager. Becky updated the Board on her meeting with the Defiance County Safety Committee.

Becky explained the Safety Committee would be reviewing the membership to make sure there is representation for all departments. Once finalized, Becky will present the list of members to the Board for their review.

Becky also mentioned that the concrete has been poured at the Schick road Canoe launch site. Warren Schlatter, along with Becky and the Board of Commissioners, will look at the site before they approve final payment.

The Commissioners also met with Randy Vogel, Defiance County Dog Warden and reviewed his monthly report.

Randy indicated he handled 106 complaints of which 39 were in the City of Defiance. Randy also handled three dog bite call, 52 dogs running at large calls, issued two citations for Pit Bulls.

Randy also issued 16 warnings, and wrote 16 citations. Randy indicated the number of personal contacts, which include the warnings and citations, are up approximately 500 from last year.

The number of miles driven by the Dog Warden's office for the month of November was 2,608. Total court fines year to date are at $7,039.00, deposited into the General Fund.

Randy mentioned there were 70 adoptions last month from the shelter, but indicated that there were 1,280 pounds of euthanized animals taken to the landfill during the month of November.

The Commissioners held a hearing on the Sherwood North Drainage project, which was petitioned in August of 2003 by the Village of Sherwood to improve the drainage from the Mohley Addition area northwest of US Route 127 and SR 18 to an adequate outlet.

Several persons attended the meeting along with Warren Schlatter, Defiance County Engineer. The Board of Commissioners explained to the residence there was no grant funding sources available for this project.

Warren also explained that the cost benefit analysis did not justify the cost of the project to the residence. With no objections from the residence or the County Engineer, the Board agreed to cancel the petition.

News Release Approved: __________________________________________________

Commissioner/ Chairman – Thomas L. Kime