NEWS RELEASE

DEFIANCE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

THURSDAY, MARCH 13, 2008

 

The Board of Defiance County Commissioners met in regular session at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 13, 2008 in the Conference Room in the Commissioners Office at 500 Court Street, Suite A, Defiance, Ohio 43512.  Chairman Thomas L. Kime called the meeting to order. Also present were Commissioners James E. Harris, Jr. and Otto L. Nicely, Laura Howell, Administrator, Cara Brown, Clerk, and Joanne Goerlitz, Deputy Clerk.

 

The Commissioners met in General Session and approved and signed various resolutions, contracts and documents, approved several travel requests, reviewed the agenda items and the calendar of events and discussed upcoming meetings.

 

Laura Howell, Administrator, provided the Commissioners with her Operations update. Laura advised that Julie Rittenhouse, Public Safety Director, reported that 55 people attended the Weather Spotter Class that was recently held at the Emergency Management Agency. The CERT class that was scheduled in Hicksville last week and canceled because of the snow advisory, has been rescheduled to April 12th and 13th.

 

Laura also provided the Commissioners with an update from Rhonda Casler, Records Archivist, on her attendance at the Statehood Day conference she recently attended in Columbus. The conference highlighted the “History Works” legislation. These highlights were then presented to the Legislators to introduce them to Ohio’s needs for historic preservation and more promotion of history in the State.

 

Defiance City Board of Control, Warren Schlatter, Defiance County Engineer, Pete Schlosser, Assistant Fire Chief, and Julie Rittenhouse, Public Safe Director, met with the Commissioners to discuss water level gauges on the area rivers. When flooding is expected, these gauges will allow the authorities to know what areas will be affected based on the height of the water on the gauges. This will then allow the authorities to notify the affected people in advance of the flooding.

 

The Board of Control and the Commissioners then discussed the Ohio Preservation Tax Credit and how it may or may not help with funding the rehabilitation of the Courthouse. The Commissioners are looking at any options available for funding and this was suggested as an option. The Commissioners have been advised by a consultant that the Courthouse does not quality for the Ohio Preservation Tax Credit.

 

They also discussed the Job Ready Site application. It was determined that more information is needed before the Commissioners or the Board of Control can make any decisions on funding the application process.

 

Tom VonDeylen, Henry County Commissioner, met with the Commissioners for further discussion on landfill matters. Tim Houck, Defiance County Landfill Manager, was also present for the discussion. The Board of Commissioners had met with Henry County Commissioners in August of 2007 to discuss landfill issues and Henry County is now seeking additional information.

 

 

 

 

 

Release Approved:          ____________________________________________________    

                                        Thomas L. Kime, Defiance County Commissioner