With the Ray County Jail food service contract nearing expiration, Ray County officials explored options during a recent meeting of the commissioners. Although the jail’s contract with Summit Food Service of Sioux Falls, S.D. will expire at the end of August, Ray County Sheriff Scott Childers believes the company is the better option. “They are still going to do the same deal. They will keep the same price per meal and they have a daily fee. I did negotiate $4,000 off the total of what we paid last year,” said the sheriff. Childers had an issue with the county paying about $3 per meal for each inmate for meals not fulfilling, considering the price being paid. “What do they consider a ‘hot meal?’” asked Eastern Commissioner Dave Powell. The sheriff said hot meals are important. He explained Ray County inmates were receiving a hot meal at breakfast, while other detention centers serve their hot meals at lunch. “We are starting to make sure the lunch is a hot meal because the…