NEWS RELEASE

DEFIANCE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2008

The Board of Defiance County Commissioners met in regular session at 8:30 a.m. in the Hicksville Village Council Room, Hicksville, Ohio on Thursday, February 7, 2008. Chairman Thomas L. Kime called the meeting to order. Also present were Commissioners James E. Harris, Jr. and Otto L. Nicely, Laura Howell, County Administrator and Cara Brown, Clerk. Joanne Goerlitz, Deputy Clerk, was present for the session at the Defiance location.

The Board received the January, 2008 Activity Report from jean Ziegler, Clerk of Courts. Jean reported collecting Legal fees of $12,848.08 and Title Fees of $3,545.75. The Certificate of Title Administrative Fund is at $10,637.25. Jean also reported deposits for the following: Legal fees of $97,882.81 and Title Fees of $401,200.92. the Sales or Use and Dealers’ Tax collected was $378,855.23 and Watercraft Tax collected was $322.88. The number of titles issued was 2,163, number of Notations of Liens was 670 and the number of inspections was 434.

The Commissioners received an update on the flooding from Julie Rittenhouse, Emergency Management Director, and Sheriff Westrick. Julie will continue to keep the Commissioners informed of any changes in the situation.

Laura Howell, Operations Manager, provided her update to the Commissioners. Laura requested to go into Executive Session to discuss personnel compensation. Executive Session ended with no decision being made.

Laura stated that she and Ron Cereghin, Maintenance Supervisor, have obtained some information regarding the Combined Sewer Overflow project. However, she is still in the process of obtaining additional information from the City of Defiance on how this project may affect County buildings and business.

There were three (3) bids received for farming County property on State Route 111. The Commissioners took the bids under advisement and will make a recommendation at a later date.

Larry Plummer, R&L Enterprises, Mayor Armstrong and John Seele, Defiance City Finance Director, Jerry Hayes, Economic Development Director, and Warren Schlatter, Defiance County Engineer, met with the Commissioners to discuss R&L Industrial Park’s potential to be considered for a Jobs Ready Site application to the Ohio Department of Development. Larry advised that he would need a commitment from the County as well as from the City for the required local match. The Board of Commissioners advised that without a prospective investment they could not make a firm commitment at this time.

Release Approved: ____________________________________________________

Thomas L. Kime, Defiance County Commissioner