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Dodge County may not renew Saunders County inmate housing contract, county attorney says
Summary
County Attorney Hopkins told the Dodge County Board that the county’s contract with Saunders County Corrections, which houses most Dodge County inmates, expires June 30, 2026, and Dodge County may not renew under current conditions; county officials cited inmate distribution and booking volume as factors.
County Attorney Hopkins told the Dodge County Board of Supervisors on Jan. 7 that Dodge County’s contract with Saunders County Corrections—where the county currently houses its largest share of out-of-county inmates—expires June 30, 2026, and Dodge County may not be willing to renew it under current conditions.
The statement came during the Board’s brief session as the Board of Corrections. Supervisor Beam reported that Dodge County currently has 48 inmates in custody: 32 held in Saunders County, 13 in Washington County, one at the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services and two in Thurston County. Beam also said 1,518 individuals were booked into custody in 2025.
Sheriff Weitzel described the two inmates held by Thurston County as “well known to law enforcement” and said Saunders and Washington counties have declined to house them; Thurston County charges a daily rate similar to Saunders and Washington. Hopkins said, after meeting with the jail committee, she has informed Saunders County that Dodge County may not be willing to renew the contract under the current conditions and plans to schedule a meeting in early February to begin discussions on next steps.
The Board recessed the Board of Corrections at 9:10 A.M. and reconvened as the Board of Supervisors. No formal action on the Saunders County contract was recorded at the Jan. 7 meeting; Hopkins’ comments indicate the county intends to review options before the contract’s June 30 expiration.
