The Burleigh County Commission on Monday opted to take no action on a request to have Morton County Jail meals prepared at the same location where Burleigh County Dention Center prepares its prisoners' food.

Burleigh County Sheriff Pat Heinert told the board he has been asked by CBM to use Burleigh County facilities to prepare meals for the Morton County Jail.

CBM is contracted to cook the meals for those jailed at the Burleigh County facility.

"CBM has been approached by Morton County commissioners to provide meals for Morton County. In turn, CBM has approached myself to see if they could utilize our facility for that cooking and offered us 14 cents a meal that's taken to Morton County," Heinert said.

While Burleigh County is being offered revenue of $3,500 per year to have the Morton County meals prepared at the location, Heinert cautioned Burleigh County also would be responsible for extra utility costs and wear on equipment.

"It would be approximately 40 to 45 additinal meals a day," Heinert said.

Morton County currently houses an average of 23 inmates daily.

Morton County Sheriff Dave Shipman said they are exploring ways to reduce workload for jailers there.

Shipman said earlier that Morton County jailers are currently responsible for preparing meals for prisoners there, and also carry maintenance and laundry duties.

He said this was just one option being considered to help jail personnel. Morton County Commissioner Andy Zachmeier had asked CBM about the food preparation.

Burleigh County commissioners were not sure it was in their county's best interest.

"In my mind, the depreciation alone is not worth 14 cents a meal," said Commission Chairman Jerry Woodcox. "Maybe, we would want to consider it if it were a higher price."

"I did pass this by Burleigh County State's Attorney (Richard) Riha,"Heinert said. "He did have some considerable concerns on liability issues that may come into play of delivering food from one facility to another. … CBM was going to deliver it as well," Heinert said.

Heinert said Riha was concerned about how the contract would be written. "He wanted to be part of that and be very precise and exact on terminology to protect Burleigh County," Heinert said.

"We don't need a motion. It's just a consensus we're not particularly interested, not at 14 cents," Woodcox said. "At this point, it's not economically feasible."