NEWS RELEASE

Thursday, January 5, 2017

The Board of Defiance County Commissioners met in regular session at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, January 5, 2017 in the Second Floor Conference Room of the Commissioners’ Session Room at 500 Court Street, Defiance, Ohio 43512. Commissioner Ryan Mack called the meeting to order. Also present were Commissioners Gary Plotts and Mick Pocratsky, 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 the Ohio Department of Transportation’s 2016 County Highway System Mileage Certification. The total length of County maintained public roads in Defiance County was 326.163 miles as of December 31, 2015. As of December 31, 2016, Defiance County was responsible for maintaining 325.783 miles of public roads.

In April of 2016, the Commissioners began using Rx Help Center for potential prescription drug costs savings for employees and the County. With current enrollment, Sherry reported a potential net yearly savings to the County of $137,100.00.

The Defiance County Commissioners will be continuing to support the Ohio Apiary Program by appointing a Defiance County Apiary Inspector; the County has budgeted $2,500.00 for 2017 for this program. This program assists Ohio’s beekeepers and growers who depend on bees as a source of honey and pollination. The Commissioners will be advertising for this vacant appointment and will be accepting applications. In 2016 there were 54 apiaries listed for the County, with 49 apiaries and 339 colonies inspected. During the inspections there were 1 case of American Foulbrood, 6 cases of European Foulbrood, 2 cases of Chalkbrood, and 137 Varroa Mites found.

Release Approved: ____________________________________________________

Ryan Mack, Defiance County Commissioner