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CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) The Sheriff’s office may be moving.  The Barnes County commission decided to move ahead with a plan to lease office space in the former USDA building in Valley City Tuesday on a 3 to 2 vote.

State’s Attorney Lee Grossman said the estimated annual lease is about $17,000. He’ll meet with the owner to work out an agreement.

County I-T Director Jason Thiel said the estimated one time setup cost for technology equipment at the site would be around $4,300 to $6,800. Thiel said the annual operating cost would start at $3,000 and could increase to $11,000 depending on band width requirement and usage.

Commissioner Rodger Berntson said despite the cost he supports the move.

Commissioner Jon Froelich doesn’t support the plan and said the move centers on personal reasons associated with Sheriff McClaflin.

Commissioner Cindy Schwehr said this issue needs to be settled.

Sheriff Randy McClaflin said the move has more to do with current lead particle readings in the building. He said deputies were tested and a few of them recorded low to moderate levels of lead in their system.

City Commissioner Mary Lee Nielson was surprised by the county’s decision after I-T Director Thiel listed some technical pitfalls with the move.

Barnes County Commissioners Froehlich and Phil Leitner voted against the move citing the total cost of the project. The Sheriff’s office has been inside the city owned law enforcement center for a number of years. Earlier this year the county was offered to sign a new lease agreement with the city for $15,000.