A FEDERAL JUDGE HAS SET A TENTATIVE TRIAL DATE FOR THE LAWSUIT INVOLVING THE WOODBURY COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITY AND HAUSMANN CONSTRUCTION, THE MAIN CONTRACTOR FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE COUNTY’S NEW JAIL.
THE JURY TRIAL HAS BEEN SET FOR MAY 10 OF 2027 IN SIOUX CITY FEDERAL COURT.
HAUSMANN FILED THE LAWSUIT IN LATE JULY OF 2025 AGAINST WOODBURY COUNTY, THE L-E-C AUTHORITY BOARD AND OTHER BUSINESSES INVOLVED IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE JAIL.
HAUSMANN CLAIMS THE COUNTY STILL OWES THEM MORE THAN $5.7 MILLION DOLLARS IN UNPAID WORK.
ONGOING CONSTRUCTION DELAYS AND OTHER BUILDING ISSUES KEPT INMATES FROM BEING MOVED INTO THE BUILDING UNTIL OCTOBER OF 2024.
THE ORIGINAL COMPLETION DATE WAS APRIL OF 2023 AND GROUND WAS BROKEN AT THE SITE IN MID-SEPTEMBER OF 2021.
THE TWO SIDES HAVE TRIED TO REACH A SETTLEMENT IN THE CASE THROUGH MEDIATION, BUT THAT HAS NOT BEEN SUCCESSFUL TO DATE.
EACH SIDE NOW HAS TWO WEEKS TO REQUEST A CONTINUANCE OF THE TRIAL.
THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITY BOARD WILL MEET TUESDAY AT 2PM IN THE COUNTY COURTHOUSE, INCLUDING A CLOSED SESSION WITH WOODBURY COUNTY SUPERVISORS AND THEIR LAWFIRM NEAR THE END OF THEIR MEETING.
