ORANGE BEACH — The City of Orange Beach is set to vote on an appointed committee to organize and promote events for the 250th anniversary of the United States of America.

America250 is a nationwide initiative to celebrate the anniversary with programs and events that educate, engage and unite citizens. Baldwin County is a part of this initiative.

If approved, Orange Beach will join America250AL, which was created by the Alabama Legislature in 2021 to engage all Alabamians and all 67 counties to participate in celebrating on July 4 and the whole anniversary year.

City Clerk Renee Eberly said a request came from resident Yolanda Johnson to join the initiative as a city.

The first step in joining, as advised by the organizers for America250, is to create a committee to organize events, which Eberly said is why the agenda item is going before council.

Mayor Tony Kennon said at the Jan. 6 council meeting where the item was presented that he spoke with Johnson on what an America250 event in Orange Beach should look like.

"I think this should be a community-driven committee and event, not necessarily us driving it," he said as he motioned to himself and council. "It needs to be community-oriented. I think she's in agreement and going to try to pull it all together."

According to the agenda item, 12 residents and community staff members of Orange Beach have been selected for the committee, including Councilman and Mayor Pro Tem Jerry Johnson, who will serve as lead sponsor; Marc Anderson, the city's public relations manager; Nicole Ard, parks and recreation executive director; Kristin Hatcher, parks and recreation special events operations director; Jamie Robertson, parks and recreation programs operations director; Bruce Nelson, deputy chief of fire operations; Jeremy Mote, Orange Beach Police lieutenant; Greg Alexander, president and CEO of the Coastal Alabama Business Chamber; Mary Coutney with Orange Beach City Schools; Easton Colvin, public relations manager for Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Tourism; Lindsey Pearce with The Wharf; and Yolanda Johnson with the Alabama Small Business Development Center Network and the city's garden club.

Appointed officials will serve in their roles voluntarily and will not be compensated for participation.

The committee appointments are set to be voted on at the next council meeting, which will be held Jan. 20 at 5 p.m. in Orange Beach City Hall, located at 4099 Orange Beach Blvd.