(CSi)  The Barnes County Commission has approved going ahead with the bid process for a new jail.

An option  includes or excludes a law enforcement center, regarding the cost of the bids submitted to the county over the next two months. Bids would be let on May 18th.

Under the proposed plan, a new jail and law enforcement center would be constructed east of the existing National Guard facility along the I-94 frontage road in Valley City.

The new estimate to build a jail and sheriff’s office is now at $15.9 million compared to $18.3 million released last month.

Barnes County Commission President Bill Carlblom says the commission will make a final decision when they see what the lowest bid is on the total construction cost.

Barnes County Auditor Beth Didier says the county would seek a 30 year bond to pay for the new jail at a cost of $805,000 annually to keep the project within the 10 mill requirement by the county.

In 2019, the Department of Corrections said the 112 year old jail is unsafe for staff and inmates and no longer meets state required standards.