The Seward County Board of County Commissioners approved a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Seward County Health Department and the Seward County Detention Center that will have the detention center transfer $30,000 annually to the health department to cover nursing wages and services.

Health department staff presented the MOU and said the arrangement reduces the detention center’s direct hiring costs and benefits from the health department’s payroll and benefits structure. The MOU outlines a $30,000-per-year payment from the detention center to the health department to cover services and wages for nursing personnel assigned to the jail.

The board approved the MOU with the condition that county legal counsel review and sign off before final execution. County legal staff said they had received the document and expected no major issues; the board’s vote included that contingency.

County staff also verified with the county’s insurer, Travelers, that the health department nurses would be covered while working in the detention facility and said no additional insurance was required.

The MOU will be signed by the health director and the sheriff after legal review. Commissioners asked staff to coordinate the final document with county legal counsel and return it for signature.