By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post

As Ellis County continues to look for temporary housing for prisoners during reconstruction of the Law Enforcement Center, officials have reached a tentative agreement to house inmates in Trego County.

Ellis County Commission Chairwoman Barb Wasinger said at Monday’s commission meeting that, after meeting with Trego County staff and elected officials ,they believe there is space in Trego County.

“We came up with a very good solution,” Wasinger said.

Ellis County would be responsible for transporting inmates and will help staff the jail.

Prisoners would be housed at the jail in WaKeeney, and there is also space available at the juvenile detention center.

“We would be providing the guards, the jailors for it. They do not have the staff to handle our size operation,” County Administrator Greg Sund said.

“I’m telling all parties concerned, commissioners and staff, you will keep the commission informed from now on. Because this is the first that I have heard about it. Public forum is not the time to surprise the county commissioners.”
Commissioner Swede Holmgren

The agreement also would mean Ellis County no longer will need jail pods and instead the county will install temporary holding cells at the former N.E.W. building.

During discussion of the temporary agreement, Commissioner Swede Holmgren expressed frustration because he was not informed of the plan to build the temporary holding cells at the N.E.W. building.

“I’m telling all parties concerned, commissioners and staff, you will keep the commission informed from now on. Because this is the first that I have heard about it,” he said. “Public forum is not the time to surprise the county commissioners.”

Commissioner Dean Haselhorst also said this was the first time he had heard of the plan.

Wasinger said the county still needs to address a few details before a deal is finalized.