NEWS RELEASE

DEFIANCE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

MONDAY, MAY 13, 2013

The Board of Defiance County Commissioners met in regular session at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, May 13, 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 Commissioner James E. Harris, Jr, Laura Howell, Administrator, Stephanie Metz, Clerk, and Angelica Abels, Deputy Clerk.

Morris Murray, Defiance County Prosecutor, and Russ Herman, Defiance County Assistant Prosecutor, met with the Commissioners for an update on various pending legal matters.

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.

Warren Schlatter, Defiance County Engineer, met with the Commissioners for a weekly update. Warren stated that Watson Road between SR 15 and Fullmer Road is currently closed for a widening project. The roadway was widened last week, and is currently being paved. Weather permitting; the paving should be completed by Wednesday. Work is continuing on the Hill Road bridge replacement project: the deck is scheduled to be poured this week. Crack sealing and dura-patching work is continuing. The County started mowing the ditches of County roads last week. There is a crew in the west side of the County and a crew in the east side of the County.

Corey Walker, Defiance County Job & Family Services Director, met with the Commissioners for a monthly update. Corey reported that due to the federal budget sequestration they are expecting about a 10% cut in WIA funding; at this time they do not expect this to affect service delivery. Corey also reported providing $595,834 to 5,310 individuals for food assistance in February, compared to $666,996 to 5,496 individuals in February 2012. In February there were 563 individuals that used the One Stop Office, compared to 1,702 in February 2012.

Julie Voll, Defiance County Family & Children First Director, met with the Commissioners to provide an update from the recent Ohio Department of Health (ODH) on-site visit. Julie reviewed changes recommended by ODH administering the ODH grants.

The Commissioners met with the Henry County Commissioners, Paulding County Commissioners, and all three Counties’ Economic Development Directors to discuss funding opportunities for the Napoleon, Defiance & Western Railroad.

Release Approved: ____________________________________________________

Otto L. Nicely, Defiance County Commissioner