Cooperstown (CSi) A mediation session has been scheduled May 3, 2016 in a civil case between Griggs County and the County Building Authority over the financial responsibility of the unfinished $3.5 million Griggs County Courthouse/Emergency Operations Center.

The Forum reports, in January, Southeast District Judge Jerod Tufte set a December jury trial in the case. However, he also directed the parties to make a “good faith attempt” at mediation in an effort to avoid a trial.

The two sides had delayed setting a date for mediation as they attempted to negotiate a settlement, according to a joint status report filed with the court last week.

However, those preliminary settlement discussions apparently have broken down.

At its March 18 meeting, the Griggs County Commission rejected a counteroffer from the Building Authority, that, according to the meeting minutes.