A meeting between Burleigh County commissioners and Sheriff Steve Berg on Monday didn't result in any conciliatory overtures following last week's press conference in which Berg condemned a commission-sponsored climate assessment of the sheriff's department and detention center.

Commission chairman Jerry Woodcox said the meeting had been set up prior to the press conference, to review the assessment that was delivered by the Village Business Institute Sept. 7.

"We discussed at length the report and the sheriff continues to think it is completely biased and unfair," Woodcox said. "We emphasized that it is as fair as we could make it. Forty percent of the sheriff's staff was interviewed at length over two days. He scoffs at the results, while we feel there is a real problem with morale and we have issues with his command. Let's say we agreed to disagree."

Joining Woodcox and Berg in the meeting were commissioner Doug Schonert, who holds the sheriff department's portfolio, the Burleigh County Human Resources director Terry Czonek and deputy Nick Sevart.

One thing the group does agree on is the need for either expanding the detention center or perhaps building a new one. But who will be in charge of the detention center might be in question as commissioners have Czonek researching separating jail administration from the sheriff's prescribed duties.

"A regional jail is a need and we have to look to the future,"Schonert said. "This is a consideration for the long-term and not the immediate future."

Schonert admitted little if any progress was made during the course of the meeting as the group pored over the items.

"(Berg) has his perception and we have ours,"he said.

The commission is requesting an attorney general's opinion on whether jail administration can be separated from the sheriff's duties as outlined by the North Dakota Century Code.

"I'm committed to the Century Code, which says the duties of sheriff are to keep charge of the county jail and keep the prisoners therein,"Berg said. "I will continue to do this to the best of my ability and that of my staff."

As for his contention that the assessment is unscientific, unreliable and lacking professionalism, Berg stands by his comments.

"My staff and I are going to maintain a professional demeanor and remain as positive as we can,"Berg added. "We'll take on the challenges and meet them head-on. We'll do our best to serve the public."

Czonek has been charged with coming up with a job description and organizational chart for a separate jail administrator by the time the commission meets for its Oct. 3 meeting.

The Human Resources director believes it is possible to separate the sheriff's duties from those of jail administrator since other counties in North Dakota are already doing it.

"There are jails where the administrator does report directly to the commission and isn't the sheriff,"Czonek says. "I plan on presenting the commission with options while not making any recommendations."

Woodcox and Schonert plan on making a tour of several of the state's detention centers to get an idea on their operations and costs. Berg said he will continue to push for a jail study to look at what future demands are going to be to house inmates.

Woodcox and Schonert say they will be making a concerted attempt to visit the jail and sheriff's department on a regular basis to learn more about its operations as suggested by the assessment.

"We are going to be more active with the sheriff's department, going over to the office, attending meetings and doing some ride-alongs," Woodcox said.

But until things are smoothed out with the commission and sheriff, Woodcox says he won't feel comfortable about pursuing a new facility.

"If we can't get along with the sheriff why look at a new facility?" Woodcox asked. "(Berg) has indicated he will throw the assessment in the garbage while we think it is fair and well-rounded. We think it is a clear indication that there are a lot of problems in the sheriff's department."

Czonek attested that commissioners appear to have found value in the assessment.

"It's my impression that the commission is taking the recommendations made by the Village Business Institute to heart, regarding their part of the assessment,"he said.