By Steve Browne
Valley City Times-Record

Citing higher than expected financial commitments, Steele County has announced that it will no longer participate in plans to build a regional jail in Barnes County. Steele County is requesting a return of its share of all unspent funds contributed and an accounting of funds spent.
The request was made in a letter from Steele County Commission Chairwoman Jane Amundson to  jail conso board chairman Harlan Opdahl. The letter also notified the board to cease using or spending any monies remaining from Steele County’s contribution and requests a calculation of how it arrived at the sum to be returned to the county.
The withdrawal of Steele County from the consortium leaves Valley City and Barnes, Griggs, Dickey, Sargent, LaMoure and Ransom Counties in the consortium.  The Sheyenne Valley Correctional Center consortium has been in suspension while members explored options for outside funding or a cheaper facility.

For full story, see Wednesday's edition of the Valley City Times-Record.