The Meridian City Council unanimously approved an inter-local agreement with Newton County to house city prisoners at the Newton County Jail in Decatur.

This move followed failure to reach an agreement with Lauderdale County to house prisoners at its jail in Meridian.

"This is a 12 month inter-local agreement that will see the city through until its next opportunity or next time to possibly have an agreement with Lauderdale County moving forward," said Smith. "If Lauderdale County wants to negotiate with the city on an inter-local agreement now, we can have two inter-local agreements."

Smith said the inter-local agreement will go to the attorney general's office for review. He said he's confident it will be approved.