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Cass County administration outlines secure courtroom schedule, diversion authority activity and possible inmate housing agreement with Clay County
Summary
County staff told commissioners construction for a secure courtroom is expected to start Feb. 10; the board also heard diversion authority scheduling and was advised of preliminary talks to house inmates with Clay County pending contract approval.
County administration updated commissioners on an upcoming secure courtroom construction project, diversion authority scheduling and a tentative plan to house inmates in neighboring Clay County.
Mr. Wilson, a county administrative staff member, said construction of a new secure courtroom in space currently occupied by the county IT office is expected to begin Feb. 10. He told commissioners construction contracts are planned to come before the board for consideration at the commission’s second meeting in January; staff will provide updates as the project proceeds.
Wilson also noted there will not be a second commission meeting in February because of a statewide counties association event in Bismarck; departments with time-sensitive items were advised to be prepared for the commission’s first February meeting. He said coordination with the county architect and other staff is ongoing.
The board heard that the diversion authority will hold an organizational meeting to establish its calendar and committee assignments, and that commissioners and county staff will present project updates to the state House Appropriations Committee. A start date for a diversion authority staff member (Jason Benson) was mentioned as Feb. 1.
Commissioners also discussed a potential arrangement with Clay County to house an estimated 10 inmates; the Clay County Commission will consider a contract and, if approved, the matter will be returned to Cass County for review. Commissioners asked the sheriff to track costs associated with any such placements to determine whether costs are borne by the county or by state decisions on placement.
The board was also reminded of an approaching discount deadline for 2024 real estate taxes in Cass County: Feb. 18, as noted in the county’s public reminders.
No formal votes were recorded on these administrative updates; commissioners requested further briefings and documentation on the prison housing proposal and construction contract timeline.
