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Sheriff Terese Amazi will get to finish the major project started during her current term.

Amazi defeated challenger Sgt. Jeff Ellis in her quest for her third term as Mower County Sheriff, and she’ll continue to oversee the opening of the county’s new jail.

“I’m thrilled,” Amazi said. “It will continue to be my honor to serve.”

One of the main focuses of her new term — like her current one — will be completing the move to the new jail.

“We’ve got to get the jail up and running,” Amazi said.

Amazi said it will be beneficial to have the same person see the project through to completion. Her experience will prove to be a key, she said.

“There’s a whole lot of things, policies and procedures that have to be in place,” Amazi said.

Amazi said she is working to ensure jailers are properly trained, which is a challenge due to the change to a new jailing system.

The Department of Corrections will need to approve the staffing models in the new jail. The jail, which was originally slated to open in October, is set to open in the next few months. Amazi said the election had nothing to do with the delay.

“It is a long process,” she said.

As the jail project is nearing completion, Amazi said she is pleased to have the election in the rearview mirror. Now she can focus her efforts strictly on the jail project.

“I am thrilled to have the election process behind me,” Amazi said.

Amazi is confident her office will return to normal after a race that was often tense because Ellis was the first internal candidate she faced in an election.

Now that Ellis lost his bid for sheriff, Amazi said he will continue to serve as a sergeant within the department.

Along with her work on the jail, Amazi will continue to oversee the department’s shift to a narrowband-compatible radio system. While her office is already set to comply with the mandate, she’s working with volunteer fire departments within the county to become compatible before final implementation.