The Coffey County Board of Commissioners authorized the county's economic development director to advertise a request for proposals for professional engineering services for the countywide RAISE Trails Planning and Design Project.

Economic development staff described outreach with the Federal Highway Project Officer (Catherine) and Garrett Nordstrom, who is assisting with grant administration. Staff said they plan to attach the grant application to the RFP so proposers can see the project scope and suggested proposals be concise, listing relevant experience and a proposed timeline. The director stated the grant cap is $2,645,000 and emphasized that "we can't incur any costs until after the grant agreement is signed by both parties." The board discussed whether to issue the RFP with a 14-day or 30-day submission window and, to increase response chances, directed staff to use a 30-day window beginning around Dec. 1 with evaluations planned in January.

The motion to authorize advertising the RFQ/RFP was moved and seconded and passed by voice vote. Staff will issue the solicitation and return to the commission with the grant agreement and proposed time line when the federal grant paperwork is complete.