Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Corrections Inmate Bedding topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Clay County approves MOU to board Cass County inmates at its jail
Summary
The Clay County Board of Commissioners approved a memorandum of understanding allowing Cass County, N.D., to board inmates at the Clay County Correctional Facility. The agreement starts with up to 10 inmates, uses a per‑diem to cover costs, and the jail can house up to 150 inmates without additional staffing.
The Clay County Board of Commissioners voted Jan. 7 to enter a memorandum of understanding with Cass County, North Dakota, allowing Clay County to board Cass County inmates at the Clay County Correctional Facility.
County Sheriff Empting and Cass County Sheriff Johner told the board the agreement responds to persistent bed shortages on the North Dakota side of the border. Under the arrangement, Clay County will begin by accepting 10 inmates and may increase that number as capacity allows; Sheriff Empting said the county can house up to 150 inmates without hiring additional staff.
The MOU was reviewed by Clay County’s attorney and by Cass County leadership, Sheriff Empting said; the board discussed the per‑diem rate and how it relates to the cost of housing inmates. Sheriff Empting said the per‑diem “is close to the daily cost of housing them,” and that the counties would start with a small cohort before increasing numbers.
Commissioners framed the agreement as a regional public‑safety collaboration. Commissioner David Ebinger moved the MOU’s approval; the motion passed on a voice vote with commissioners answering “aye.”
Board members and both sheriffs noted operational limits and next steps: if Clay County inmate counts rise above 150, the county would need to hire additional staff and could revisit per‑diem terms. Sheriff Johner described the ongoing strain on Cass County facilities and said the arrangement will reduce transportation burdens to distant courts and hospitals.
The board also discussed past regional cooperation — juvenile detention and other shared services — and emphasized that agreements are subject to review if costs or staffing needs change. The public record of the meeting does not include a roll‑call vote or a per‑diem dollar amount in the board discussion.
