Defiance County commissioners heard a quarterly report from the OSU Extension Office during their Monday meeting, with discussion centering on agricultural facilities and youth fair finances.
Kyle Verhoff, the extension office's educator for agriculture and natural resources, described a possible enlargement of trial fields beside the county-owned Evergreen Lane Office Complex on Evansport Road. He also addressed the community garden site at Defiance County East on East Second Street. Verhoff's aim is to create additional plots that residents could harvest; people working the existing plots currently pay a modest yearly charge.
Teresa Johnson, also of the extension office, reported that Defiance County Junior Fair livestock sales in August came to $331,408, a decline from $462,304 the previous year. Add-on contributions, by contrast, grew to $195,741 from $173,966.
On other matters, commissioners approved a resolution setting up an agreement with Schaffer Funeral Home and county coroner Dr. John Racciato covering a mobile mortuary unit, which will be kept at the funeral home. Prosecutor Morris Murray had discussed the item with commissioners earlier in the day.
The board also talked with Clerk of Courts Dan Crites about filling a position left by a retiring employee; commissioners did not decide when a hire could start.
Commissioners additionally met with Melanie Becher, deputy director of Defiance County EMA, about how to spend a dividend from the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation in Columbus. Suggestions from county departments on using the money are being accepted.