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The Nowata County Jail was a topic of discussion at Monday morning’s meeting of the Nowata County board of Commissioners. Sheriff Terry Barnett announced the formation of a committee to look at different options on how to act in regards to the jail going forward. The nine-member committee is comprised of several local government officials including sheriff Barnett, South Coffeyville police chief Wade Lamb, Judge Carl Gibson, assistant district attorney James Pfeffer and commissioner Burke LaRue. Larue says the future of the jail has to be priority.

Teresa Bell, Bill Baldwin, Dean Bridges and Jeffrey Rickman are the other members who were appointed to the committee. Judge Gibson told a cautionary tale about what a $13.5 million settlement that was reached in federal court over a faulty detention facility in Delaware County. Gibson says the Nowata County jail faces a great risk if it is not held to higher standard,

The commissioners approved two separate inmate housing contracts with Craig County for $27 per Day and Washington County for $34 per day. Sheriff Barnett says a third agreement could surface next week. Barnett stated last week that contracting with another county is the most affable solution in wake of the carbon monoxide leak that forced the jail to be evacuated on Feb. 28.