By Steve Browne
Valley City Times-Record

Ransom County formally withdrew from participation in plans for the Sheyenne Valley Correctional Center and asked for an accounting of funds, in a letter from Ransom County State's Attorney Fallon Kelly dated Aug. 14.
Ransom County's withdrawal effectively leaves only Barnes County and Valley City in the consortium.
Kelly also asked for the return of the unspent portion of funds already contributed by Ransom County for the project, and notified the consortium to cease spending any of the money. Kelly said Ransom County would continue to participate in the disposal of the land purchased by the consortium for the jail project.
Under the terms of the SVCC agreement, counties must give 120 days notice before they can get a return of their cash contributions. Each county's share of the proceeds of the sale of the land will be returned after the land is sold.
Ransom County contributed $37,500, for an estimated refund of $17,000, according to documents furnished by Valley City Administrative Assistant Becki Andersen.
Kelley stated in the letter the Ransom County Commission had decided to withdraw from the jail consortium due to “higher than anticipated costs.”