Over the course of a year, I often do several longer form interviews with local elected officials, as a year ends or begins, or as they begin new terms or retire from public service.
Today we are taking a big overview of Woodbury County government, from a conversation with Woodbury County Board of Supervisors Chairman Mark Nelson, who is about seven weeks into his term as chairman.
A key piece includes a look at the Woodbury County Law Enforcement Center jail that opened in 2024 after delays, as the county is involved in a lawsuit, so Nelson gives the latest on that.
On the heels of a failed mediation proceeding, the jury trial has been set be before U.S. District Court Judge Leonard Strand in May 2027.
The long road over four years to build the jail was full of delays, driving up the cost from $54 million to $69 million.
Additionally, Nelson talks about the what he thinks it takes to effectively lead the county, and describes the composition of Woodbury County in terms of its people, and what they want from the county.
Other topics include what the county does to attract economic development in the aftermath of that department being shuttered, including working with the city of Sioux City or state of Iowa when a big business considers coming to this area.
There has been a lot of talk and meetings during his time as a Woodbury County elected official on various pieces of renewable energy. Nelson shares views on balancing landowner rights to do what they want with own property versus government oversight, and his stance on eminent domain powers being debated in the Iowa Legislature.
That conversation strand covers wind power, solar power, nuclear energy and the electrical plant south of Sioux City that uses coal.
*Click on the audio link above to hear the entire show.
What's The Frequency, Episode 95.
