GRAND FORKS — The Grand Forks County Commission voted unanimously Tuesday, Sept. 2, to not sign the county's proposed agreement with the North Dakota Department of Corrections.

The commission refuses to move forward with the planned agreement to lease space in the county jail to the DOCR unless the state agency can guarantee non-residents would not be released into Grand Forks County after serving their sentence.

Commissioners Mark Rustad and Bob Rost said residents have made it clear they do not want these people in the community. Rustad said signing the contract would just be asking for trouble.

"This will (lead to) pitchforks and torches at the county building, in my opinion," he said.

Grand Forks County State's Attorney Haley Wamstad addressed the proposed contract during Tuesday's

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