BEATRICE – Gage County will do an assessment of detention needs in the county. The Gage County Board’s law enforcement committee chairman is Gary Lytle.
"This isn't a we're building a new jail, this isn't we're remodeling a jail....this is what do we need for our needs....that's kind of the idea behind an assessment."


About fourteen years ago, a multi-million-dollar bond proposal for a new jail and sheriff’s office was soundly rejected by Gage County voters.
Board Chairman Erich Tiemann talked about this review.  "This would be for, basically taking a look at the total picture....prisoners needs....just a general overall assessment."


The supervisors voted unanimously in favor of the review. For several years, the county has held some prisoners in other jails in times of capacity issues. It frequently holds prisoners in a Washington County, Kansas detention facility…..under terms of an agreement between the two counties.

In other matters before county supervisors on Wednesday....

Upgrades of the audio-visual systems in Gage County and District Courts will be getting underway soon. County Building and Grounds Supervisor Dave Jones says the work is part of a statewide effort to upgrade technology in the courts.


"CTI is coming down starting next week to do the audio-visual system in both courtrooms, and this is all paid for by the state. They're anticipating it to take about two weeks."


Jones says between the two courtrooms, about $160,000 of upgrades are being made. He says the old systems in place have a number of years on them. Part of the improvements will allow for video court hearings between the courts and detention centers.


The Gage County Agriculture Society received favorable votes Wednesday on two special liquor permits for the upcoming Gage County Fair, July 26th through the 30th.  The county board recommended approval of the separate permits, which cover a beer garden at the fair, and a bull-riding rodeo event at the arena.
This year’s Gage County Fair and Expo theme is “Buckets of Fun”.