NEWS RELEASE

DEFIANCE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

MONDAY, JANUARY 8, 2007

The Board of Defiance County Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, January 8, 2007, at 8:15 a.m., in the Conference Room of the Defiance County Commissioners, 500 Court Street, Defiance, OH 43512. Commissioner Thomas L. Kime called the meeting to order. Also present were Commissioners Otto L. Nicely, James E. Harris, Jr., Becky Wagner, County Administrator, and Joanne Goerlitz, Deputy Clerk.

The Board of Commissioners held their Annual Reorganizational Meeting. The Board voted to elect Commissioner Otto L. Nicely as Chairman of the Board for 2007 and Commissioner Thomas L. Kime as Vice-chairman of the Board for 2007.

The Commissioners also reappointed their Clerk, Lyla Gurwell, Deputy Clerks Joanne Goerlitz, Sherry Carnahan, and Deb Bloomfield.

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 met with Defiance County Engineer Warren Schlatter for his weekly update. Warren reviewed his year-end accumulated revenue for 2006 and indicated the total revenue through December was $4,228,921.

Warren also mentioned there could be unscheduled road closures to replace small culvert pipes throughout the county. Warren mentioned his crew recently replaced a 4” pipe with a 15” pipe on Cicero Road to help with the flooding problem over the roadways due to the continual rain.

Warren also mentioned he has been in constant communication with Toledo Edison to relocate the power lines on Harding Street for an upcoming project he is working on. The poles need to be removed from the Right-of-way so the project can move forward.

The Commissioners also met with Greg Reinhart, Director of Wastewater Operations. Greg updated the Commissioners on a number of reports generated from his office such as the Cash Summary Report, Revenue Budget Report and Activity Reports. Greg also informed the Board that the renewal for the EPA water license was sent in.

Greg advised the Auglaize Pines Wastewater Treatment Plant had tree root problems and had to be cleaned out. Greg also mentioned that all plants and pump stations were greased and oiled.

Dr. Richter also met with the Board. Dr. Richter serves as the Medical Director for Richland, Highland, Tiffin and Jewell Fire Departments and currently sits on the 911 Board. A couple of Townships have chosen their own Medical Director, but Dr. Richter said he wants what is best for all of the EMS Units and would be happy to continue to serve in his current capacity.

The Board of Commissioners is looking at the current number of runs per city and township.

The Board also met with Julie Fowler, Defiance County Public Safety Director. Julie discussed the Bureau of Workers Compensation U-69 coverage. The coverage is a choice made by a public employer for court workers such as juvenile offenders, CCNO, and those working off fines. The purpose of the coverage is to do random draw work pool drug testing on county court workers. The workers are randomly drawn once per year and if they test positive, the information would be given to the appointing authority to make a decision as to what kind of treatment the individual would need. Julie will meet with the agencies to let them know where the county stands with the policy.

News Release Approved: ____________________________________________________

Otto L. Nicely, Defiance County Commissioner