NEWS RELEASE

DEFIANCE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

MONDAY, JANUARY 29, 2007

The Board of Defiance County Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, January 29, 2007, at 8:30 a.m., in the Conference Room of the Defiance County Commissioners, 500 Court Street, Defiance, OH 43512. Commissioner Otto L. Nicely called the meeting to order. Also present were Commissioners Thomas L. Kime, James E. Harris, Jr., Becky Wagner, County Administrator, and Joanne Goerlitz, Deputy Clerk.

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 announced there are vacancies on the Fairboard for Village of Ney, City of Defiance and Delaware Townships. If anyone is interested in serving on the Fairboard, please contact the Fairboard Secretary, Judy Bayliss at 419-899-2569 for an application.

Defiance County Engineer Warren Schlatter came in for his weekly update. Warren came in for a bid opening for a bridge project on Casebeer-Miller Road south of Hicksville-Spencerville Road. The project includes GRS (Geo-synthetic Reinforced Soil) walls, fiberglass beams, and lightweight concrete for the bridge deck.

There were no bids received on this project, which will be paid through Federal Funds. Warren will reevaluate his engineers estimate and find out what the next step would be to re-bid the project. Warren will have further discussion with the Commissioners at a later date.

Warren also discussed the need for an additional building to store equipment so it is out of the weather. The Commissioners advised Warren to get estimates and they will review at a later date.

Kevin Hancock Soil & Water Conservation District came in for the Maintenance Hearing on the Shawley Ditch. Kevin indicated he had not received any letters of rejection from the property owners.

Two property owners were present during the hearing. Kevin explained that this project was done mutually between property owners through the Soil and Water conservation District. Every landowner received a letter stating the purpose of the hearing. Kevin explained the reason for maintenance would be to spray for brush and weed control as well as to check for and maintain erosion problems. The Commissioners agreed unanimously to add the Shawley Ditch to the maintenance program.

Wayne Olsson, Director and Joe Tubbs, President of the Board of Elections, came in to discuss the need for additional equipment at his office. Wayne requested a new optical scanner. The Board of Elections has two scanners, one of which they are using from Diebold. The Commissioners agreed to allow the Board of Elections to purchase a scanner that would be owned by them.

Wayne also brought in the service contract for $35,000 with Diebold. Wayne indicated Diebold personnel are there approximately six weeks per year. The Board of County Commissioners asked both Wayne Olsson and Joe Tubbs to get an hourly rate from Diebold prior to signing the contract.

The Defiance and Williams County Commissioners met to hold a Reorganizational meeting for the Lick Creek project. Commissioner Otto Nicely was elected Chairman and Commissioner Duane Votaw from Williams County was elected Vice Chairman. The Commissioners also held a meeting to appoint a new Joint Board for Lost Creek. Commissioner Otto Nicely was elected Chairman and Commissioner Duane Votaw from Williams County was elected Vice Chairman. The Joint Board authorized Engineer Denny Bell to proceed with surveying for Lick Creek. The Joint Board also authorized to set up new funds for hiring an attorney for both Lost Creek and Lick Creek.

Commissioner Kime, Chairman of the Four County Joint Board called the meeting to order to appoint Tom Von Deylon to the Northwest Community Corrections Center Facility Governing Board to replace Tom Strup. The Board includes Defiance, Williams, Henry, Paulding and Fulton counties.

The Four County Juvenile Detention Center Board also met to appoint a replacement for the Four County Juvenile Board. The Joint Board appointed Brad Grime from Fulton County to fill the unexpired term of Joe Short.

News Release Approved: ____________________________________________________ Otto L. Nicely, Defiance County Commissioner