JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The Stutsman County Commission unanimously approved entering into a zoning agreement with Barnes County as consolidation continues across the state.

Earlier this year, the social services redesign bill created and enacted new sections of the North Dakota Century Code relating to the creation of human service zones. This will essentially eliminate the term ‘social service agency’ and will create ‘human service zones’.

Chief Deputy Auditor Jessica Alonge reports that the board for the joint zone will include three members from Stutsman and Barnes County with one or two members being county commissioners. Nothing was decided at the meeting.

North Dakota will now have 19 human service zones that will allow people to get services anywhere in the state and not just the county they live in. Funding will be based on need and where services are being performed.

Alonge later informed the commission of an outstanding balance owed to the county from Weld Township.

Alonge says they would look at placing an excess levy on Weld Township for that balance. The commission unanimously approved.