NEWS RELEASE

DEFIANCE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

MONDAY, JANUARY 7, 2008

The Board of Defiance County Commissioners met in regular session at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, January 7, 2008 in the Conference Room in the Commissioners Office at 500 Court Street, Suite A, Defiance, Ohio 43512. Chairman Otto L. Nicely called the meeting to order. Also present was Commissioner Thomas L. Kime, Jr., Laura Howell, County Administrator, Cara Brown, Clerk, and Joanne Goerlitz, Deputy Clerk. Commissioner James E. Harris, Jr. was absent.

Warren Schlatter, Defiance County Engineer, met with the Commissioners to provide an update. Warren submitted his year-end, 2007 Revenues report. Warren reports that $428,626.06 was collected from Permissive Taxes, $1,331,150.27 from Motor Vehicle/License Taxes, $2,396,839.15 from Gas Taxes, and $22,006.32 from Court Fines.

Nancy Porter, Defiance County Humane Society President, and Elaine Ostrander, Humane Society Treasurer, met with the Commissioners to review the Humane Shelter’s budget and projects they are currently working on. Nancy advised that the Human Society is planning a “Paws to Reflect” garden with a brick walkway, including engraved bricks, plants, flowers, shrubs and benches. To help finance the project, the Humane Society is selling the engraved bricks for the walkway. Additional information may be obtained by calling the Humane Shelter at 419-658-2298.

Elaine Ostrander provided a brief overview of the Humane Society’s revenues and expenses for 2007. The Human Society is requesting a budget increase equal to the average increase for all agencies in the General Fund. The Commissioners authorized a budget increase of 1.34% for the Human Society.

The Commissioners will be attending the Noble Estates Home Owner’s Association meeting on Wednesday, January 9, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. at Noble Township Hall. This meeting will be to discuss storm drainage in the subdivision.

Release Approved: ____________________________________________________

Otto L. Nicely, Defiance County Commissioner