By Steve Browne
Valley City Times-Record

If the  Sheyenne Valley Correctional Center consortium was on life support before, it's flat-lining now. LaMoure and Dickey counties have formally dropped out of the consortium, leaving only Barnes, Sargent and Ransom counties, plus Valley City.
Of the remaining partners, Sargent and Ransom counties may make a decision at their next regular county commission meetings, both of which will take place Aug. 5.
Sargent County Auditor Sherry Hosford said, “Our commissioners and the state's attorney are reviewing the agreement, but nothing has been officially decided yet.”
Ransom County Auditor Connie Gilbert said they would also be discussing the issue at their next county commission meeting.
Norman Andrus, Dickey County representative to the consortium said, “We looked at the financials Monday morning and decided the cost is prohibitive. I still think it was a good idea, but when Griggs and Steele pulled out, it kind of put a damper on the whole thing.”
Andrus said Dickey still has contracts to house prisoners with Barnes County, Jamestown and Wahpeton, and is exploring the possibility of a reciprocity agreement with South Dakota, which would enable them to house prisoners in Aberdeen.
Comment from the LaMoure County auditor was unavailable by press time.