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Committee approves contractor, ambassador spending and dozens of celebration grants
Summary
The committee approved retaining a contractor on an hourly, capped basis, extended $30,000 in spending authority for ambassador programs, and approved dispersal of multiple America 250 celebration grants. Two sets of minutes were also approved, one with a recorded Nay.
The interim committee voted on several administrative and funding items tied to Idaho’s America 250 efforts, approving a contractor arrangement, extending ambassador spending authority, and authorizing multiple celebration grant disbursements.
The committee approved a motion to retain contractor Jane Perlacci on an as-needed basis at the agency hourly rate of $125, not to exceed $8,600 per month, to support approved legacy projects. Representative Bruce moved the measure and Secretary McGrane seconded it; after discussion about deliverables, competitive bidding and sideboards the motion carried by voice vote.
The decision followed a debate about the scope of the contractor’s role. Treasurer Ellsworth warned against paying for attendance rather than deliverables, saying the committee previously “paid $8,600 a month, and then anything that was done, we paid additional costs,” and urged clearer product-based bidding. Secretary McGrane and other members said the committee intends the contract to be narrowly limited to billed project-management hours and to include sideboards and a contract-holder mechanism.
The committee also extended $30,000 in spending authority for the ambassador program. Treasurer Ellsworth moved to renew the authority and Senator Guthrie seconded; the motion passed by voice vote.
Finally, the committee approved the dispersal of celebration-grant awards to a long list of cities and counties, a motion made by Co-chair Adams and seconded by Senator Guthrie. The committee previously reviewed and scored applications; Secretary McGrane reported that of 74 applications, 41 had been approved and just over $100,000 of the $250,000 fund had been expended.
Two sets of minutes were approved earlier in the meeting: the Oct. 21, 2025 minutes (approved by voice vote) and the Dec. 19, 2025 minutes (approved with Treasurer Ellsworth recorded as Nay). The Dec. 19 minutes drew a brief discussion because audio was unclear on a contract-related motion, which members clarified before voting.
The committee adjourned after setting an early-February follow-up meeting to finalize time‑sensitive celebration planning.
