SHERMAN, TX - Debate over what to do about the Grayson County Jail has been ongoing for nearly a decade. That debate heated up in 2008 when commissioners began exploring the idea of building a private jail. They abandoned that plan due to public backlash.

Now Judge Drue Bynum says enough is enough, and at a press conference today he said a bond issue to build a public jail is now also off the table.
The future of the Grayson County jail is a seemingly never ending debate.

"This has become a volatile issue," said Judge Drue Bynum.

At a press conference at the Courthouse Wednesday morning Judge Bynum announced that due to the ever increasing division around the jail issue, he will not seek a bond issue on the May or November ballots. This decision all but kills any chance of building a new jail anytime soon.

"I have heard from the people, they are tired of wrestling this bear, we have been dealing with this issue since 2001," said Judge Bynum.

The jail does need major renovations, but according to Commissioner Gene Short, The County is scheduled to pay off several debts in the coming months, freeing up money that can go toward remodeling the existing facility, without raising taxes.

"We could have enough money to prioritize what we need up there, and then pay as we go," said County Commissioner Gene Short.

Judge Bynum also gave an apology to Sherman Mayor Bill Magers, and the city council, for miscommunication that has taken place in recent weeks.
The Mayor says the city is still as willing as ever to help.

"It goes without saying that the Sherman City Council is ready willing, and able to help in any way we can," said Magers.

Magers says by working together the County, the Sheriff's office and the city can find a way to get the jail facilities that Grayson County needs.

"We need to get past this and get a jail that is downtown, close to the courts, and is run by the Sheriff," said Magers.

While getting a new jail built was the goal of many county leaders, Judge Bynum says the cost has become too high to continue.

"We have got to figure out how to make lemonade out of lemons, and I am not going to go forward with an idea or an agenda at the sake of splitting this county open," said Bynum.