NEWS RELEASE

DEFIANCE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

THURSDAY, JUNE 12, 2008

The Board of Defiance County Commissioners met in regular session at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 12, 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.

Jean Ziegler, Clerk of Courts, submitted her May 2008 report. Jean reported collecting legal fees of $13,248.02 and title fees of $3,838.29. The Certificate of Title Administrative Fund is at $11,514.87. Jean also reported deposits for the following: Legal fees of $104,813.56 and Title fees of $450,532.85. The Sales or Use and Dealers Tax collected was $422,544.94 and Watercraft Tax collected was $2,508.93. The number of Titles issued was 2,372, number of Notation of Liens was 577 and the number of inspections was 494.

Laura Howell, Administrator, provided her weekly update to the Board. Laura provided the Commissioners with a proposal from Cindy Mack, Defiance Development & Visitors Bureau, on the work she is hoping to do at Auglaize Village in order to help the Village be prepared to submit applications for grant monies. Laura advised the Board that the Maintenance Department has removed the sight obstruction at Defiance County East and new air compressor units have been installed at the Evergreen Lane Office Complex.

Tina Hiler, Senior Services Director, met with the Commissioners to provide an update. Tina advised that the Farmer’s Market Program has begun and coupons were mailed on June 2^nd & 3^rd to those who submitted an application. Applications can be picked up at the Senior Centers in Defiance and Hicksville, assistance will be provided in filling out the applications if needed. The Area Office on Aging will mail each participant in the Program ten (10) $5.00 vouchers to be used between now and the end of October at the Farmers Markets.

Tina also advised the Board on upcoming staff trainings and the status of grant applications for the new Senior Center.

The Commissioners met with the Defiance City Board of Control to discuss the Local Government Services and Regional Collaboration Grant Program. The discussion centered on collaboration of several proposed projects.

The Board of Commissioners has received calls from citizens concerned about the shape of the railroad crossing on Domersville Rd/281. The Commissioners have contacted Spence Wendelin, President of Transmark Associates, several times over the last month and have requested that the crossing be fixed. It appears that some effort has been made to improve the crossing but more work still needs done. The Commissioners will continue to contact the railroad until the repairs are satisfactory.

Release Approved: ____________________________________________________

Thomas L. Kime, Defiance County Commissioner