Woodbury County Supervisors in Iowa have unanimously approved John Templer of Whitfield and Eddy Law as legal representation for Woodbury County’s new law enforcement center. The hiring aims to address perceived conflicts and protect taxpayer interests in the jail project, which is over budget and behind schedule. Johnathan Mack,Ariel Pokett reported
In Sioux City, Iowa, the Woodbury County Supervisors held a meeting to discuss legal representation for the county’s new law enforcement center. After weeks of deliberation, the Supervisors unanimously approved John Templer of Whitfield and Eddy Law as the legal representation for jail matters moving forward. According to the law firm’s website, Templer is highly regarded as the Dean of Construction Law in Iowa.
The decision to hire separate legal representation outside of the LEC Authority was made in order to protect taxpayer interests. Board Chairman Matthew Ung believes that this move will help alleviate any perceived conflicts between parties. The Supervisors considered around five to six law firms with expertise in the relevant issues before settling on Templer and his firm.
Ung emphasized that the hiring of Templer and his firm is meant to be a cooperative effort, and the Supervisors are not looking for anyone to be fired or quit before the completion of the project. The jail project is currently facing challenges, as it is nearly $2 million over budget and possibly seven months behind schedule.
Overall, the Woodbury County Supervisors have taken proactive steps to ensure that legal representation is in place to address any issues that may arise during the construction of the new law enforcement center. By hiring John Templer of Whitfield and Eddy Law, they aim to protect taxpayer interests and mitigate any conflicts that may arise between the parties involved. However, they also emphasize that their intention is not to place blame or seek terminations, but rather to work collaboratively towards the successful completion of the project. Despite the current challenges, the Supervisors remain committed to delivering a high-quality facility that meets the needs of the community..