Newly elected Cass County Commissioner Tony Grindberg calls jail expansion a "priority"

(Fargo, ND) -- Newly elected Cass County Commissioner Tony Grindberg is talking about his first month on the job.

"i was sworn in in early December, so I've participated now in two county commission meetings, clearly getting to know the staff and the flow of the organization, I'm still learning a little bit. You know with my background in public service it's an easy transition if you will to understand the process. Timelines are the key thing to understand what the cycles, budget stuff will start now this spring for example. But we're on the, next week the legislative session starts and so we'll be immersed in you know a lot of different pieces of legislation that could have an impact on the county," said the commissioner.    

The former state lawmaker says he will also be keeping a close eye on what's happening in Bismarck, especially for legislation that has the potential to impact Cass County in a negative way. 

Grinberg is also weighing in on a possible expansion of the Cass County Jail. 

"That's one of the things that Sheriff Jahner and I need to circle back on once I get up to date on that project. But it is on the radar from the standpoint of a priority. There is some recent press (when) we made some decisions on the 911 dispatch center, which is a collaborative between North Dakota and Minnesota and that is moving forward and that is another key element to, you know public safety and having that dispatch so everybody is in direct communication," said Grindberg. 

Grinderg says he heard a lot from citizens about their concerns regarding crime, and says investment will be necessary for an approach that is "tough on crime". 

Commissioner Grindberg appeared on Mid Day on WDAY AM 970.