The Deschutes County Jail will continue renting jail beds From the Jefferson County Jail to avoid using a matrix system to release inmates when the jail reaches capacity.

The Deschutes County Commission on Monday approved an addendum to the intergovernmental agreement between the two counties to update rental terms for fiscal year 2013-14, beginning July 1. Under the terms of the new agreement, Deschutes County will pay Jefferson County $63.93 per day, per bed, for 10 beds. The agreement states Deschutes County may also request an additional five or 10 beds, as needed, with 30 days notice.

“We might get into the situation or point where we need to rent some additional beds,” said Sheriff Larry Blanton. “Jail population is so cyclical that right now we are within a thread of having to rent more.”

Under the agreement voted in by the commission Monday, Deschutes County will pay for 10 beds during fiscal year 2013-14 regardless of use.

“We have a very good working relationship with Jefferson County. They’re good neighbors,” said Blanton. “As we begin moving forward with the jail construction remodel plan, we will be expanding the existing facility by some 144 beds.”

The new construction is scheduled to be finished by July 2014, Blanton said. If construction goes longer, the county will have the option to continue renting from Jefferson County in 90-day increments with a 30-day notice required from Deschutes County prior to ending the contract. He also said the need to add rental beds could arise due to construction interfering with the ability to lodge inmates in current Deschutes County beds.

“About a year from now we will no longer need Jefferson County for jail bed rental,” Blanton said. “They are aware of that.”

Commissioners Tony DeBone and Alan Unger voted in favor of the addendum to the already-existing intergovernmental agreement. Commissioner Tammy Baney was excused from the Monday meeting.

“It’s a little commute to get people back and forth, but it’s the right situation for the time,” said DeBone.

The Jefferson County jail is in Madras, approximately 43 miles north of the Deschutes County Jail.

“Our goal is to get the remodel done as quickly as we can so we don’t have to be transporting so far away,” Unger said. “We’re on the right track and have a plan moving forward. This gives us flexibility and I’m glad we will have the ability to expand as we need.”