Kootenai County commissioners on Nov. 3 heard a historic preservation update that asked permission to use fund balance to pay $1,500 for courthouse security for a planned 10-lecture series, to expend $4,000 previously budgeted for a website and to purchase a stainless-steel time capsule estimated at $2,300 for a July 3 ceremony.

The requests were presented as budget items tied to a larger courthouse centennial-style program. "We would respectfully asked to be able to fund that, from from fund balance," said historic preservation staff during the presentation, describing a $150 per-lecture security rate for 10 lectures. Staff said lectures would run about 5:30–6:30 p.m., with setup at 5 p.m. and breakdown by 7 p.m.

Why it matters: the programs are designed to promote cultural and heritage tourism and to support the county's newly adopted historic preservation plan. The lecture series is intended to include monthly talks on county origins, courthouse architecture, women in the law and law-enforcement history; staff also proposed a passport-style tourism brochure with stamps to encourage site visits to museums and historical societies.

Staff told the commissioners the time capsule would be a large stainless-steel unit (roughly 24" x 36" x 12") that is designed to be long-lasting and that the county has a subcommittee working on what to include. The presenter said staff believes an existing earlier capsule may be located in the courthouse cornerstone and that any decision about its contents would be made after inspection.

On the website request, staff said $4,000 had been budgeted in fiscal 2025 but not expended; the plan calls for an interactive, hyperlinked online version of the historic-inventory that county IT can update annually. Commissioners said they preferred that preservation staff consult IT first and explore an internal solution before hiring an outside contractor; if IT staff time is required, commissioners noted fund balance could be used to compensate that work.

Security for the lectures was discussed in practical terms. Staff said sheriff's deputies have offered volunteer assistance but that deputies "technically" lack authority in the courthouse and that screening at the front door and controlling an upstairs door would be necessary. The $150-per-lecture estimate, staff said, reflects likely overtime pay for two staffers working about two hours.

Staff also said 500 tourism brochures were printed previously and were distributed quickly; reprographics requests include stamps and pads for a passport-style program.

Next steps noted in the meeting: staff will consult IT about hosting and implementation options for the website, finalize language for a press release for board review and return with more detailed budget figures and logistics. The board did not record a formal vote on the requests during the Nov. 3 meeting; commissioners provided direction to pursue IT input and public outreach before any firm spending approvals.