Commission approves COSUP/CASA RFPs and hires community services staff; peer-support contract deferred

Codington County commissioners on April 1 approved requests for proposals to hire an evaluator and a marketing consultant to support the county’s COSUP/CASA grant and approved the creation and posting of a full‑time administrative support position in the Community Services Office. The board postponed action on a contract with peer‑support provider Face It Together until next week so the vendor can review suggested edits.

The actions came during a discussion led by Sarah (Community Services staff), who said the work would be funded entirely through COSUP grant dollars and that no county general funds would be used. “This is just part of making sure that we’re effectively managing the grant,” Sarah said. Commissioners noted the grant is a large award; one commissioner referred to it as the “million dollar grant.”

The RFPs: Commissioners approved an RFP for an external evaluator to measure program outcomes and an RFP for a marketing firm to support community outreach and naloxone awareness. Commissioner Gable moved to approve the evaluator RFP; Commissioner Johnson seconded. Commissioner Gates moved to approve the marketing RFP; Commissioner Schwier seconded; both motions passed on voice votes.

Staffing and wage scale: The board approved a new full‑time administrative support job description for the Community Services Office at pay grade 25 and separately approved posting and hiring for that position (both motions moved by Commissioner Gable and seconded by Commissioner Johnson). The board also approved a revised 2025 wage scale that adds a substance‑use and justice programs coordinator (grade 40) and the administrative support position (grade 25); that motion was moved by Commissioner Gable and seconded by Commissioner Schwier.

Face It Together contract: A proposed contract with Face It Together for peer support services was placed on hold until next week. The county’s state’s attorney has reviewed the contract and approved it, but staff said they wanted confirmation that Face It Together would sign the version the county approved before bringing it back to the board.

Why it matters: Commissioners and staff characterized these actions as implementation steps for a large, externally funded behavioral‑health effort (COSUP/CASA). Approving RFPs and hiring staff are early operational steps that shape how the grant will be executed and evaluated.

What’s next: Staff said they will return next week with the Face It Together contract if the vendor signs the county’s version. Separate hiring steps will proceed through the county’s normal posting and hiring process for the new administrative support position.