Grand Forks County commissioners heard that the North Dakota Association of Counties Region 4 caucus adopted a resolution calling on the state to provide counties more financial assistance for operating correctional centers, and commissioners agreed to convene the county legislative committee to review priorities ahead of the association’s annual convention and the next legislative session.

County staff reported the caucus adopted a correctional center funding resolution and that other association resolutions will be discussed at the annual convention. Staff recommended bringing the county legislative committee together soon to review a list of local priorities and to begin socializing those priorities with the county’s legislative partners.

Separately, commissioners and staff discussed local jail planning. One commissioner said they would add the topic to the next meeting agenda and invite the sheriff and state contacts to a discussion to move toward a final resolution. The commissioner also reported outreach to a Walsh County commissioner about a potential joint meeting on jail planning; Walsh County declined a joint meeting at this time and is moving forward with its own architect and plans.

Commissioners said they will review the Association of Counties resolutions and bring their own priority list to the county legislative committee for further action.