NEWS RELEASE

DEFIANCE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2007

The Board of Defiance County Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, February 12, 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, Lyla Gurwell, Clerk and Joanne Goerlitz, Deputy Clerk.

The Commissioners met with Bob Arend, Arend Enterprises to discuss the Central Telephone System bids. After review and discussion, the bid was awarded to Koenig Security, Paulding, OH for $57,721.00.

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.

Denis McKay, Director of Job & Family Services was placed on administrative leave without pay due to being indicted by the grand jury for job related reasons. Any questions regarding this matter should be directed to the Special Prosecutor, Joseph Burkhard.

Stephanie Metz, Administrative Assistant for the Defiance County Engineer opened bids for Crushed Aggregate. Among those submitting bids were Custar Stone, Napoleon, OH, Stoneco, Inc. – Auglaize Quarry, Stoneco, Inc. – Scott Quarry and Stafford Gravel, Edgerton, OH. The Board is considering the bids and will award later.

Greg Reinhart, Wastewater Operation Manager came in for his monthly update. Greg reviewed the operations of the Wastewater office and distributed his monthly income report for the Boards review.

Greg discussed the need to replace a relay and fuse at Beldens Pump Station, changed the thermostat alarm on the Express Sewer Pump Station, cleaned the Express Sewer Pump at Christi Meadows.

Also had problems with the pump station at the Emergency Management Agency with the floats and check valve.

The Defiance County Airport Authority Board came in to discuss the purchase of a used truck from Noble Township. The Board indicated the truck would include a snowplow and could be used by other county agencies for other projects.

Lisa Karcher from Maumee Valley Planning came in to discuss the Fiscal Year 2007 (CDBG) Community Development Formula Program.

Lisa explained the Community Development Block Grant Program has been under scrutiny by the federal government over the past few years. In order to document the validity of the program and the need to continue funding, certain measurements had to be put into place. The program funds need to improve the lives of low to moderate income households and the funds should be targeted to complete all needed improvements in an identified neighborhood as well as the lives of the households in the neighborhood.

One part f this program is the Community Assessment and Strategy or CAS, which must clearly define neighborhoods which has concentrations of persons over 51% low to moderate income based on the current census of income survey.

The neighborhood should be a single, contiguous geographic area that is generally recognized as such by local residents who are familiar with the needs and conditions of the area, and is typically bounded by natural or manmade boundaries. The program must also identify the type and degree of community development needs within areas of low to moderate concentration or distressed areas.

The recommendation is to allocate funds to complete an assessment of needs throughout Defiance County. A plan for funding distribution for future years will be addressed based on the needs assessments findings.

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