NEWS RELEASE

DEFIANCE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2013

The Board of Defiance County Commissioners met in regular session at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 7, 2013 in the Hicksville Village Council Room, Hicksville, Ohio. Chairman Otto L. Nicely called the meeting to order. Also present were Commissioners James E. Harris, Jr. and Thomas L. Kime, Laura Howell, Administrator, Stephanie Metz, Clerk, and Angelica Abels, 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.

Per the recommendation of Jerry Overmier, Beilharz Architects, the Board awarded the bids for the Defiance County Airport Restroom Renovations to Birchwood Construction in the amount bid by them of $47,160.00.

The Commissioners certified the February Solid Waste Disposal Submittal Forms for the Landfill facilities. Defiance Township, as the host government agency received $1,326.93. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) also received $1,583.13 for the construction & demolition debris (C&DD) waste.

The Board directed the Administrator to begin advertising for Request for Qualifications (RFQ’s) for the remodel/renovation/replacement of a Courthouse facility to serve Defiance County. Depending upon the advice, applicable cost and recommendation of the proposed architect, the Board is considering each of the above-listed viable options. This will be advertised in the Defiance Crescent-News and on the County’s website.

Laura Howell, Administrator, met with the Board to provide her weekly update with various department and project updates. Laura provided the following updates:

· Records Center. Lanie Lambert reported that from January 1 – February 29, 2013, there were 318 records requests, $208.21 revenue received for copies and certification fees, 22 new boxes and/or books of records taken in. Lanie also started a project to index the birth records from 1867-1908.

· Senior Services. Tina Hiler reported a Staff Training Day and Defensive Driving course on April 19, 2013.

Julie Voll, Defiance County Family & Children First Council/Help Me Grow, met with the Commissioners for an update. Julie Voll reported that 67 children received Early Childhood Screenings in Defiance on Monday, March 4^th. Julie reported that she completed and submitted Ohio Children's Trust fund SFY 2013 semi-annual report and SFY 2014 application. She also completed and submitted the Family Centered Services & Supports (FCSS) semi-annual report.

Mike Struble, Defiance City Schools Superintendent, Jim Williams, Defiance City School Board President, Rick Edmonds and Cindy Siler, Defiance County Board of Developmental Disabilities, met with the Commissioners to discuss Good Samaritan Schools’ excess costs. The two schools will continue to discuss the matter.

Release Approved: ____________________________________________________

Otto L. Nicely, Defiance County Commissioner