The Kootenai County Board of Commissioners on Dec. 23 authorized staff to pursue an America250 grant in partnership with the city of Coeur d'Alene to support courthouse celebration activities tied to the America250 initiative.

Jonathan Mueller of the Historic Preservation Commission said the county and city can submit a joint application and that the city has already prepared a proclamation to accompany the grant. He described plans for an East Lawn celebration on the courthouse on July 3, including community bands and speakers, and said "we've already had a commitment from Cynthia Meyer to come speak." Mueller asked the board to allow staff to complete the resolution and application ahead of the year-end grant deadline.

Commissioners agreed to permit staff to finalize the resolution and to bring a numbered resolution back for the consent calendar on Dec. 30. County staff said there is no local match required for the simplified America250 program as presented.