Supervisors say new jail is stabilizing staffing while county pursues contractor claims
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Summary
Woodbury County reported the new law enforcement center is housing federal inmates above projections, helping bond payments and easing staffing turnover; supervisors also said they are pursuing mediation and potential recoupment claims against the contractor for construction defects and delays.
Supervisors reported that demolition of the old jail is on schedule and that the new law enforcement center is operating at inmate levels above the original payout threshold, producing revenue that helps cover bond costs.
"We needed roughly a 110 inmates in there year round to pay for that, and Chad has been keeping that level somewhere around a 140 or a 150," Chair Mark Nelson said, describing how federal inmate housing has helped stabilize the county's finances and operational staffing.
Nelson and other supervisors also described ongoing efforts to recover costs related to construction deficiencies. "We are like the home builder. We hire a professional to build it. We hire a professional to design it. They've cast their checks. We've just written the checks, and they didn't deliver the product that they were supposed to," Nelson said, summarizing the county's position. He said the county participated in mediation in November and has collected documentary evidence to support claims; the county seeks settlement but is prepared to pursue further action if necessary.
County Attorney James Lewis said his office has been working with law enforcement and the board to manage staffing issues and litigation coordination. Lewis reported the attorney's office is nearly fully staffed and expects to fill remaining vacancies by September, which officials said will help with ongoing document collection and potential legal proceedings.
Supervisors urged patience as legal remedies proceed and said the county's operational focus remains on improving safety and reducing turnover among correctional staff.
