Grand Forks County commissioners approve moving jail oversight to sheriff amid calls for more cost data

Grand Forks County commissioners voted March 18 to place the county correctional center under the sheriff's authority and to rename the facility consistent with North Dakota Century Code 11-15-03, which charges the sheriff with custody of the county jail and prisoners.

The move, made on a motion by Commissioner Ross and approved by the commission, came after commissioners heard several hours of discussion, data requests and differing views on whether consolidation would produce net cost savings or operational benefits.

County commissioners and staff said the committee that studied consolidation performed information gathering but did not issue a formal recommendation. Commissioner Ross said the information in the committee packet strengthened his support for the change and moved to proceed. Several commissioners, including Commissioner Rust and Commissioner Peach, said they wanted more detailed, apples-to-apples cost comparisons before committing to structural changes.

"There was no ask for a recommendation. It was really information gathering," a commissioner said during debate, and several members pressed for more concrete financial figures before a broader reorganization.

Correctional center…