As debate continues over the potential need for a new jail, the Grand Traverse Board of Commissioners voted Wednesday to establish a Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee. The new committee will collect and analyze data in the Grand Traverse County Jail and criminal justice system.

The 10-member committee will be comprised of a circuit court judge, a district court judge, the prosecuting attorney, a defense attorney who handles court-appointed criminal cases, the sheriff, the county administrator, the jail administrator, a member of the Traverse City Commission, a county commissioner and a citizen of the county. Information gathered by the committee will be used in planning efforts to improve the county jail and understand future needs. The committee will also be directly involved in developing a criminal justice needs assessment and master plan.