Changes in Clay County Jail & Courthouse coming following bond rejection

VERMILLION, S.D.(WNAX)- Changes in operations of the Clay County Jail in Vermillion happened quickly following the rejection of a forty one million dollar bond issue by voters this week.

Sheriff Andy Howe says the prisoners were moved out of the jail.

Howe updated the Clay County Facility Planning Committee Thursday night on their new plans.

Howe says they are working closely with Union County for holding inmates.

Howe says businesses in Vermillion will now miss out on jail business as they will have to compensate other counties for holding their prisoners.

During a meeting of the Facility Planning Committee Thursday night, Commissioner Michael Manning said they should start looking for a site for a jail at least.

Manning says they could start with one facility with planned future growth.

Manning says they were planning to do more repairs in the courthouse.

The main courthouse dates to 1912, with a law enforcement addition added in 1989.