NEWS RELEASE
DEFIANCE
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2012
The Board of Defiance County Commissioners met in regular session at
8:30 a.m. on Thursday, November 15, 2012 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 Otto L. Nicely and James E. Harris, Jr., Laura Howell,
Administrator, Stephanie Metz Clerk, and Arica Smith, Deputy Clerk.
The Commissioners met in General Session and approved and signed
various resolutions, contracts and documents.
The Commissioners also reviewed the calendar of events and discussed
upcoming meetings.
The Commissioners’ Office recently received a check from Williams
County Commissioners regarding recent litigation. The Defiance County
Commissioners received $5,000.00 as settlement for the public records &
open meetings violations case. Williams County also returned $2,379.46 for
assessments that were illegally assessed to the Defiance County residents in
the Wise Ditch watershed in 2007, 2008 and 2009. The Defiance County Auditor
will be refunding these assessments to the parcel owners that were illegally
assessed.
Tina Hiler, Senior Services Director,
introduced Linda McMahon to the Commissioners. She was recently hired to be the
Hicksville Senior Services Building Manager.
Laura Howell, Administrator, met with the Board to provide her weekly
update with various department and project updates. Laura provided the
following updates:
·
The
Highway Garage staff has installed thirteen “Purple Heart County” signs. All
signs should be installed before the Thanksgiving Holiday.
·
Neighborhood
Stabilization Program – demolition of 21791 Parkview Drive is complete. 1944
West Street in Evansport – The contractor is awaiting contract approval to
begin demolition.
·
The
Defiance County Coroner reported that the Coroner’s Office has investigated 54
fatalities through October 31, 2012 of which ten autopsies were performed.
History of previous year investigations: 2011 – 62 fatalities with 14 autopsies
performed; 2010 – 47 cases with 11 autopsies performed; 2009 – 75 fatalities
with 10 autopsies performed; 2008 – 46 fatalities with 12 autopsies performed.
Randy Vogel, Defiance County Dog Warden, met
with the Commissioners for an update. Randy reported investigating 108 calls
that resulted in 17 dogs taken to the shelter, 28 warnings issued and 21 citations
written. There were 4,240 miles driven and Municipal Court Fines of $1,037.00.
Through October there has been $93,656.00 received for dog tag sales, including
penalties, which is $2,745.00 more than 2011. Currently, the Defiance County
Auditor’s Office is the only place to purchase 2012 dog tags. Beginning
December 1, 2012, the 2013 dog tags will go on sale. Individual dog tags will
be $16.00 each and Kennel registrations will be $80.00.
Ken Keller, First Insurance &
Investments, and Sharon Scheuerman, Defiance County Auditor’s Office, met with
the Commissioners to discuss employee health insurance.
On Wednesday, the Commissioners held budget
hearings with Job & Family Services, Probate/Juvenile Court, OSU Extension,
Coroner, Soil & Water, Ditch Maintenance, and Auditor.
The Commissioners attended the Senior
Services Thanksgiving Dinner and Volunteer Thank You Luncheon at the Defiance
Senior Center.
Release Approved: ____________________________________________________
Thomas
L. Kime, Defiance County Commissioner