Codington County commissioners approve EagleView imagery MOU, grant-funded marketing campaign and join new opioid settlement

Codington County commissioners on Tuesday approved several routine and programmatic items, including a memorandum of understanding with EagleView for aerial imagery, authorization of a grant-funded marketing contract to raise substance-use disorder awareness, and joining a new national opioid settlement.

The county approved a six-year agreement with EagleView (formerly Pictometry) for aerial imagery provision. Director of Equalization Shauna told commissioners the vendor bid 3-inch imagery but is offering 1-inch imagery for the county at the 3-inch price; she said the county portion will be about $45,335.34 per year and that the cost is budgeted for next year. Commissioner Gable moved the MOU and Commissioner McElhaney seconded; the motion carried on a voice vote.

The commission also authorized the chair to sign a contract with Production Monkeys to carry out a grant-funded awareness campaign about substance-use disorder. Angie Colignon, community services, said the contract and campaign are 100% grant funded; at the meeting someone reported the annual amount as $6,060,000 (as stated at the meeting). Commissioner Johnson moved the item and Commissioner McElhaney seconded; the motion carried on a voice vote.

The auditor requested and received authorization to sign on to a new national opioid settlement. The auditor reported existing funds in the county opioid account of $79,009.81 and said settlement payments go into the same account; permitted uses referenced at the meeting include prevention programs and services such as drug court and nonprofit service providers. The commission approved joining the settlement on a voice vote.

Other routine actions approved by the commission included: awarding a carpet replacement contract for the treasurer’s office to Dwayne’s Floor Covering (quote $5,860), approving county and jail-related claims, and accepting an automatic budget supplement to return ERA2 federal funds of $70,009.19 to Community Services’ budget to cover emergency rent payments. Travel and personnel items were approved by voice votes. The commission also received reports from the city manager, the equalization office, the highway department and the facility manager during the meeting.

In reports, City Manager Alan Steger introduced himself and outlined city priorities that overlap with the county, including finalizing a city budget, a street maintenance facility, expanded fire service on the east side and housing projects. Shauna, Director of Equalization, reported recent OHE (Office of Hearing Examiners) decisions in favor of the county requiring abstract updates, said residential sales in Watertown have increased in the $100,000–$300,000 range, and described progress and weather-related delays in assessing Lake Kempiska properties. Highway Superintendent Randy Falvey reported storm-related washouts and culvert repairs, completion of chip sealing and work toward bridge-funding discussions. Facility Manager Steve reported park reservations and revenue and noted planned ash-tree removals and West Nile virus monitoring in the region.

Votes at a glance

- Approve Aug. 19 agenda — approved (voice vote). - Approve Aug. 12 minutes — approved (voice vote). - EagleView (Pictometry) imagery MOU, county share ~$45,335.34/year — moved by Commissioner Gable; seconded by Commissioner McElhaney; approved (voice vote). - Replace carpet in treasurer’s office, award to Dwayne’s Floor Covering, quote $5,860 — approved (voice vote). - Authorize chair to sign Production Monkeys contract (marketing campaign), reported as 100% grant-funded (amount stated at meeting) — moved by Commissioner Johnson; seconded by Commissioner McElhaney; approved (voice vote). - Authorize auditor to sign new national opioid settlement — approved (voice vote). - Approve routine county claims — approved (voice vote). - Approve jail construction claims (Architect Inc., Tigra monthly) — approved (voice vote). - Automatic budget supplement (ERA2) $70,009.19 to Community Services — approved (voice vote). - Personnel and travel items — approved (voice votes).

The commission adjourned after closing comments and a review of recent jail groundbreaking activities. No executive session was requested.