NEWS RELEASE

DEFIANCE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2015

 

The Board of Defiance County Commissioners met in regular session at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, October 15, 2015 in the Conference Room in the Commissioners’ conference 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’ approved an annexation petition for 1.736 acres in Richland Township to be annexed into the City of Defiance (Riverview Addition).

 

Section 5739.09(A)(10)(a) of the Revised Code provides that a county that has a population of at least thirty-nine thousand but not more than forty thousand according to the 2010 federal decennial census may levy an excise tax at a rate not to exceed three percent for the purpose of acquiring, constructing, equipping, or repairing permanent improvements. Defiance County had a population of 39,037 as of the last federal decennial census; therefore, Board of Defiance County Commissioners is authorized by a majority of the members of the Board to enact and levy an excise tax not to exceed three percent (3%) on transactions by which lodging in a hotel is or is to be furnished to transient guests in Defiance County, Ohio. The Commissioners established the Defiance County Lodging Excise Tax Code of Regulations. Jill Little, Defiance County Auditor, has agreed that the Defiance County Auditor’s Office will administer the Defiance County Lodging Excise Tax in accordance with the Defiance County Lodging Excise Tax Code Regulations.

 

The Board recognizes the need to provide for funding for the purpose of acquiring, constructing, equipping, or repairing permanent improvements, as defined in Section 133.01 of the Revised Code for permanent improvements within Defiance County. The Board enacted and imposed an excise tax on transactions by which lodging in a hotel is or is to be furnished to transient guests of three percent (3%) pursuant to Section 5739.09 (A)(10), this tax is be referred to as the Defiance County Hotel Lodging Excise Tax. This resolution, pursuant to Sections 5739.09 (A)(10) and 305.31 of the Revised Code, is subject to a possible referendum, and this resolution may not take effect sooner than 30 days after this resolution is passed. The Defiance County Hotel Lodging Excise Tax shall be levied and collected, effective December 1, 2015, with collection to begin as provided in the Defiance County Lodging Excise Tax Code of Regulations. The proceeds of the Lodging Excise Tax shall be placed in a separate fund entitled “County Lodging Tax”, effective with lodging taxes collected on or after December 1, 2015, after deducting 3% of the receipts for administering the same, as determined by the Auditor, and shall be spent solely for the purpose of acquiring, constructing, equipping, or repairing permanent improvements, as defined in Section 133.01 of the Revised Code. No portion of the Defiance County Hotel Lodging Excise Tax shall be returned to townships or municipal corporations in the county. The tax shall remain in effect for a continuing period of time.

 

Connie Bostelman, Defiance County Child Support Enforcement Agency Director, met with the Commissioners to provide a quarterly update.

 

Tina Hiler, Defiance County Senior Services’ Director, met with the Commissioners to provide a monthly update. Tina reported that the Old Timer’s Bike Ride raised more than $3,700.00. More than $2,000.00 was raised providing the pop and water at Ribfest. There is a Halloween Bake Sale on Thursday, October 29th and Friday, October 30th at the Defiance Center, beginning at 9:00 a.m. each day. There is a Halloween Party on Wednesday, October 28th at the Multipurpose Building at the Fairgrounds, beginning at 5:00 p.m. The Thanksgiving Luncheon is on Thursday, November 19th at 11:30 a.m. at the Defiance Senior Services’ Auditorium.

 

Randy Vogel, Defiance County Dog Warden, met with the Commissioners to provide a monthly update. Randy reported investigating 72 calls in September, which resulted in 11 dogs taken to the shelter, 10 citations written, and 15 warnings issued. There were 3,724 miles driven and $545.00 received in Municipal Court fines.

 

 

On Wednesday, the Commissioners, Economic Development representatives, and Matt Wagner, TetraTech, met with representatives from the US EPA at the former SK Tools property. The Commissioners were advised that that TetraTech will be working with US EPA representatives from Cleveland, Ohio to have the ground water testing completed. Hopefully in the Spring they may have the results.

 

 

Release Approved:          ____________________________________________________         

                                         Thomas L. Kime, Defiance County Commissioner