NEWS RELEASE

DEFIANCE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 2013

The Board of Defiance County Commissioners met in regular session at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 18, 2013 in the Conference Room in the Commissioners’ Office at 500 Court Street, Suite A, Defiance, Ohio 43512. 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.

The Commissioners approved the following contracts: Sines Excavating, LLC for the Tiffin Township Drainage Project for $17,750.00; Foster Care Placement and Residential Treatment Services for Youth Contract between Defiance County Department of Job and Family Services and the Ohio Teaching Family Association for SFY 2014; Family Foster Care Placement and Residential Treatment Services for Youth between the Defiance County Department of Job and Family Services and Community Teaching Homes for SFY 2014.

Laura Howell, Administrator, met with the Board to provide her weekly update with various department and project updates. Laura reported that Defiance County has participated in the National Association of Counties’ Prescription Drug Discount Card Program since 2009. Since its inception 9,268 Defiance County residents have filled 11,456 prescriptions through the program to date. The retail submitted price over the past four years totaled $761,194.80 with price savings of $173,335.33 for Defiance County residents. The percentage price savings per prescription is 22.77%. The average price savings per prescription is $9.44. Defiance County is one of 1,400 county governments across the country that participates in the National Counties Prescription Discount Card Program. The nationwide program has saved residents $524 million on 41.5 million prescriptions since the program’s inception. Prescription Drug Discount Cards are available at the Defiance County Commissioners’ Office, Job and Family Services, Veteran’s Office, Family and Children First, Child Support Enforcement Agency as well as many Defiance County pharmacies.

At the recent Black Swamp Safety Council meeting, Defiance County received a 2012 Special Award from the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation for its efforts in preventing accidents and injuries in the workplace from February 3, 2011 to April 12, 2012 and 680,797 hours worked.

Randy Vogel, Defiance County Dog Warden, met with the Commissioners for a monthly update. Randy reported investigating 69 calls in March that resulted in 19 dogs taken to the shelter, 10 warnings issued, and 15 citations written. There were 3,395 miles driven and $412.00 received in Municipal Court fines. There has been $93,860.00 received for 2013 dog and kennel licenses, compared to $74,184.00 through March for 2012.

Tina Hiler, Defiance County Senior Services Director, met with the Commissioners for an update. Tina reported the Senior Prom is being held on May 14, 2013 at the Defiance Eagles. The Auxiliary Garage Sale is being held at the Senior Center on April 26^th from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. and on April 27^th from 9:00 a.m. until noon. There will be a Hicksville Open House on Saturday, May 4, 2013 from 11:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. The Senior Services Info Fair “For the Health of It” is being held on June 18, 2013 from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. at the Defiance Center. The Fair will host 40 organizations, agencies and businesses; provide timely information on a variety of topics of interest, a healthy lunch and Zumba® and yoga demonstrations.

The Commissioners attended the Defiance County Township Association’s Quarterly Meeting at Ayersville United Methodist Church.

The Commissioners are still reviewing options for the pending vacant Administrator position.

Release Approved: ____________________________________________________

James Harris, Jr., Defiance County Commissioner