GRAYSON CO., TX – Grayson County Commissioners made a decision to put a $20 million or less bond election to the people regarding County jail renovations. After much discussion and public comment at Monday's commissioner court’s meeting, Johnny Waldrip made a motion to hold a bond election within the next 62 days. The motion passed, but without the approval of Commissioners Gene Short and David Whitlock.

"We've been studying this for seven years, we've got $300,000 in studies and it's time to quit studying and do something, and what we need to do now is let the people vote,” said Waldrip.

Several years ago the Texas State Jail Commission put Grayson County on variance, which means they were able to add 45 beds to the jail, but that also put the Grayson Jail outside of the Commission's usual standards.

"If we lose that variance that means we will be sending 45 to 49 inmates out of the county somewhere, and it will probably cost somewhere around $750,000 to $800,000 just to send them out until we get something built," said Grayson County Sheriff Keith Gary on their current situation.

Gary and County Judge Drue Bynum hope the bond election will show the TX Jail Commission they're moving forward, but say if something isn't done soon there will be negative consequences for the county.

"The more we delay this thing, the more trouble we're going to be in. The Jail Commission has told us for the final time I believe that if we don't do something they're going to take our 45 beds,” said Waldrip.

Along with Waldrip’s motion this morning was an act to work with the City of Sherman to determine if parking downtown will be feasible with the jail renovations.

Commissioner Short also asked Waldrip to amend his motion and add in how the jail will be rebuilt. But he did not amend it and no additional motions were made on the topic of whether to rebuild by architect bid or design build.

"I don't have a vote, and I've got to run whatever is built, and I'm ready to move ahead and build something,” said Gary.

And while a bond would increase taxes, commissioners say if the jail can be built for less than $20 million, they would not use the full amount of bond money. But if voters turn down the bond, Commissioners say they'll look at other options such as housing inmates out of the county.