NEWS RELEASE

Thursday, May 18, 2017

The Board of Defiance County Commissioners met in regular session at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 18, 2017 in 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.

Amy Galbraith, Defiance County Clerk of Courts, met with the Commissioners to discuss the Records Center.

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 certified the April Solid Waste Disposal Submittal Forms for the Landfill facilities. Defiance Township, as the host government agency received $2,346.42. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) also received $2,096.98 for the construction, & demolition debris (C&DD) waste. Monthly (MSW) Disposal fees paid to the Ohio EPA for the Defiance County Landfill was $33,326.34. The Four County Solid Waste District received $12,073.93.

Justin Kuhn met with Tina Hiler, Defiance County Senior Services’ Director, to discuss the Hicksville Senior Center. Mr. Kuhn explained that he has a building in the Village of Hicksville that a portion of will be used by NOCAC for the Headstart Program. He stated that he is willing to lease the remaining portion of the building to the County for use as a Senior Center. The Commissioners stated that they will look at the information provided and make a decision in the near future.

Tina Hiler also met with the Commissioners to provide a monthly update. Tina reported that through April, 2017 there have been 29,258 meals and 3,292 rides provided to Defiance County Senior Citizens.

Mike Yambor and Tonya Wichman, Defiance County Board of Elections, met with the Commissioners to discuss voting machines and equipment. They informed the Board that the State is requesting to know if the County is planning to upgrade the current voting equipment; and if so, what types of machines are planned to be purchased. If the County replaces the existing 170 machines with newer versions of the same type of machines, the cost is almost $1.5 million. If the County replaces the existing machines with paper ballot machines, the cost is almost $600,000.00. The County could have an option to replace the existing machines with machines utilizing paper ballots. The County Board of Elections’ staff has not had the opportunity to view examples of the options for the replacement machines. County Commissioners across the State are informing the Legislators that the voting equipment needs to be updated, but financial assistance needs to be provided for this.

Release Approved: ____________________________________________________

Ryan Mack, Defiance County Commissioner