GADSDEN, Ala. — Mayor Craig Ford told the Gadsden City Council on Tuesday that the city has signed a contract to house inmates at a nearby county jail, beginning Aug. 1 at a $30-per-day rate and running three years with a one-year automatic renewal.

Ford said the agreement will begin Aug. 1 at $30 a day, that the contract is for three years with an automatic one-year renewal, and that the city will not transfer its prisoners who are currently serving time in Calhoun County but will use the new contract for housing needs going forward. He thanked the sheriff and county commissioners, specifically naming Commissioner Statham and Commissioner Enser, and thanked city staff who worked on the negotiation.

The mayor said the city will continue to use Calhoun County Jail when needed and that the new contract supplements existing arrangements rather than immediately replacing them. Council members responded positively at the meeting.

What's next: Ford said the contract will take effect Aug. 1. The mayor credited his office and county officials for negotiating the agreement; no additional contractual details such as capacity, payment escalators or intake procedures were provided in the council meeting record.