NEWS RELEASE

DEFIANCE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

THURSDAY, JULY 9, 2015

The Board of Defiance County Commissioners met in regular session at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, July 9, 2015 in the Conference Room in the Commissioners’ Office at 500 Court Street, Suite A, Defiance, Ohio 43512. Commissioner Thomas L. Kime called the meeting to order. Also present were Commissioners Ryan Mack and Otto L. Nicely, Sherry Carnahan, Finance Manager/Administrator, and Stephanie Metz, 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 discussed the State Budget bill allowing Defiance County to levy a lodging tax of up to 3% for the purpose of financing permanent improvements. The Board will discuss this matter further once the revisions have been made to the Ohio Revised Code.

Sherry Carnahan, Defiance County Finance Manager/Administrator, met with the Commissioners to provide an update.

Jill Little, Defiance County Auditor, met with the Commissioners to provide an update. Jill reported on the finances for the County for the first six months of 2015. Jill reported revenue of $6,244,402.82; this compares to revenue of $6,485,811.12 through June 2014 (for a decrease of $241,408.30). The General Property Tax was $1,274,375.79 (an increase of $225,033.16 or 21.45%); Sales Tax was $2,786,044.15 (an increase of $162,288.22 or 6.18%). The Casino revenue was $224,956.67 (a decrease of $4,960.71 or 2.16%). Clerk of Courts Fees were $64,714.07 (a decrease of $5,521.44 or 7.86%); Clerk of Courts Title Fees were $49,400.00 (a decrease of $12,192.91 or 19.80%). Local Government funds were $219,564.84 (an increase of $20,053.39 or 10.05%).

The Commissioners recently received the monthly report from Cecilia Parsons, Defiance County Recorder. Cecilia reported recording the following instruments in June: 193 deeds, 177 mortgages, 152 releases, and 6 powers of attorney; this compares to 166 deeds, 160 mortgages, 154 releases, 5 powers of attorney, 1 plat, and 2 leases in June, 2014. There were receipts of $26,111.50, of which $12,660.00 went to the Housing Trust Fund and $10,831.50 went to the General Fund. This compares to receipts of $25,534.50 in June, 2014, of which $12,531.00 went to the Housing Trust Fund and $10,548.50 went to the General Fund.

Release Approved: ____________________________________________________

Thomas L. Kime, Defiance County Commissioner