Hidalgo County is now leasing out space at the Willacy County Regional Detention Center.

Hidalgo and Willacy commissioners signed a 50-year agreement Tuesday to rent out the detention center.

RELATED: Hidalgo County finalizing deal to rent Willacy County detention facility

The first year will cost $3 million.

Hidalgo County Sheriff Eddie Guerra said the agreement was formed due to overcrowding at the county jail. 

According to Hidalgo County District Attorney Ricardo Rodriguez, the COVID-19 pandemic created a backlog of court cases. The county is still attempting to catch up.

“COVID really set us back, and also stopped the flow of the regular process and also cases being submitted and presented to the grand jury,” Rodriguez said. “We're slowly catching up."

Rodriguez said his office is prioritizing jail cases over defendants who are not in custody.