Walsh County Law Enforcement Center
GRAFTON, N.D. (KFGO) – Last month, there was a referendum with two measures to help pay for a new Walsh County Jail and Sheriff’s Office.
County voters approved a sales tax while the measure for an increase in the county’s general fund levy failed and caused questions about what to do next. County commissioners meeting this week agreed they can work to come up with some options for a new jail.
“We never really didn’t talk about what our options were if it didn’t pass but in the past couple of weeks…more people have called and talked to me about coming up with a smaller-size jail. I want our states attorney, the citizens, the law enforcement to have safety and is my main concern more than anything.” Commission Vice-Chair Ernie Barta said. “If somebody wants to chew me out for siding with others and spending the sales tax and protecting our county, I’ll take take the heat.”
Barta says they can look at downsizing to build a new jail but it would not cover the cost of a new sheriff’s office. The current jail and sheriff’s office are 50 years old and in bad condition, causing many of the inmates to be transferred to other cities.
The North Dakota Department of Corrections has warned the county that the jail will be shut down if a new one is not built.
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