SKOWHEGAN (AP) – The Somerset County Commissioners have put off a vote on whether to halt construction of a new $30 million jail.

The decision came last night, after county officials received a letter from Gov. John Baldacci. The letter offers no guarantees that the state will pick up the tab for the new 200-bed lockup if Baldacci’s plan to have the state take over the county jails goes through.

Baldacci’s letter does say he’ll explore alternative funding options for Somerset and other Maine counties.

Baldacci says his takeover plan will bring savings of $10 million in its first year and $38 million over time.