IAC’S BLOG

Last week, more than 260 county elected officials, deputies, staff, and stakeholders gathered at the Riverside Hotel in Boise for the 2025 Idaho Association of Counties Annual Conference. This hallmark event brought together leaders from across the state to prepare for the future through collaboration, innovation, and leadership growth. With six committee meetings and seventeen workshops, attendees shaped their own experience, diving into timely topics and practical solutions tailored to county needs. Networking, Exhibits, and Energy The conference floor was buzzing…

Don’t miss this chance to have your voice heard and help shape the policies that matter most. Join a steering committee today! If you’re passionate about county governance and want to help guide critical policy discussions in Idaho, now is the time to act. The Idaho Association of Counties (IAC) is accepting applications for membership on up to two steering committees for the 2026 year. The committees meet in person during the IAC Midwinter Legislative Conference and the IAC Annual Conference….

Boundary County Commissioner Tim Bertling, Custer County Commissioner Will Nailon, Owyhee County Commissioner Cindy Bachman, and Twin Falls County Commissioner Don Hall along with IAC Executive Director Seth Grigg and IAC Policy Advisor Clay Boeckel joined county leaders from more than 40 public lands counties in 15 states last week for the annual National Association of Counties (NACo) Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) Fly-in. In meetings with intergovernmental partners at federal agencies and in Congress, participants advocated for full PILT…

During this week’s Installation Ceremony at the IAC Annual Conference, IAC appointed its new executive officers for 2025-2026. Lemhi County Assessor Jenny Rosin was installed as IAC President, Twin Falls County Clerk Kristina Glascock was installed as 1st Vice President, Payette County Sheriff Andy Creech was installed as 2nd Vice President, and Blaine County Treasurer John David Davidson was installed as Immediate Past President.  Following the installation ceremony, last years past president and Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney Vic Pearson honored John…

The Idaho Association of County Assessors (IACA) convened in Twin Falls, Idaho, from August 19–21, 2025, for its annual conference, hosted at the Canyon Crest Event Center. The conference kicked off on Monday with an optional golf scramble or bus tour of four unique, beautiful state parks located throughout Gooding County. The group gathered in the evening at the Malad Gorge State Park for a taco truck dinner sponsored by GovPros, where county assessors from across the state were able to…

According to the IAC Bylaws and the rotation schedule for elections, a sheriff is eligible to run as the IAC 2nd Vice President for the upcoming year (October 1, 2025 – September 30, 2026). This year’s candidate completed an application so he could share a little about himself and why he is interested in the position. Sheriff Creech will also have a few minutes to speak at our IAC Annual Business meeting in September and voting will take place during the…

After years of meticulous planning and hard work, the new Nez Perce County Courthouse is open for business. While in Lewiston, for the Idaho Association of County Treasurers Conference (IACT), county and state officials from across the state welcomed the opportunity to tour the new facility with two long-serving county officials, Nez Perce County Assessor Dan Anderson and Nez Perce County Clerk Patty Weeks. The county’s vision was to create a space that not only serves the needs of the present…

The Idaho Association of County Recorders and Clerks (IACRC) gathered in Pocatello, Idaho, from August 12-14, for their 2025 Annual Conference, hosted at the ICCU Alumni Center. Attendees discussed budgets, legislative updates, committee reports, and participated in hands-on leadership training. The conference opened with a welcome to Bannock County from IACRC President and Bannock County Clerk, Jason Dixon, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and an invocation. The morning featured an Elections Bill update from Ada County Clerk Trent Tripple, a…

Staff members from state associations across the west gathered in Salem, Oregon, August 20-22 for the annual Western States Staff Meet-Up. This year’s event was hosted by the Association of Oregon Counties (AOC), which welcomed attendees with a full itinerary that highlighted both professional development and local experiences. Highlights included tours of the Oregon State Capitol, the Marion County Jail, and the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training. This year’s meet-up brought together representatives from nine associations: California State…

Written by Elizabeth Mahn, Ada County Treasurer  Idaho’s county treasurers gathered in Lewiston for their annual IACT conference, marking a major milestone—the 100th anniversary of their association. The event blended education, celebration, and camaraderie in a truly memorable way. The conference welcomed several distinguished guests, including Shilo Heger, NACCTFO President from Kansas; Idaho State Treasurer Julie Ellsworth and the Revolutionary Spuddy Buddies who presented on America250 in Idaho; and Idaho’s own Jeffery Greene, a bronze medalist in snowshoeing at the Special…

Not pictured here, Senator Melissa Wintrow The Ada County Coroner’s Office was pleased to provide a fact-finding tour of their facility to legislative members of the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee. The event was presented by team members from multiple divisions to include forensics, investigations, and emergency preparedness. The purpose of this tour was to give decision makers a comprehensive understanding of the duties performed by Idaho coroners and the vital role they play in safeguarding communities across the…

The Idaho Association of Counties (IAC) Legislative Committee is not taking the summer off. The group met Wednesday for a midsummer update to remain engaged on key policy and fiscal issues affecting Idaho counties.  What Was Discussed: – IAC staff briefed the committee on summer steering committee meeting discussions, which will help shape policy priorities heading into the 2025 legislative session. – The committee also reviewed the current status of Idaho’s state budget, including how recent revenue trends and the possibility…

The Idaho Association of Counties (IAC) has named the 2025 recipients of the IAC Scholarship. After a competitive review process, seven students from across the state of Idaho were selected from a pool of 80 applicants to each receive a $1,000 scholarship from the IAC Scholarship Fund. Award Recipients: – Carly Rodriguez, District 1; – McKenna Knott, District 2;  – Claire Pierce, District 3; – Calista Stevenson, District 4;  – Quincy Cronquist, District 5; – Kaylee Kesl, District 6; – Makaya…

By Kathy Ackerman, NACo Representative and Idaho County Clerk This year, the National Association of Counties (NACo) celebrated its 90th Anniversary—a milestone that set the tone for the entire conference. The programming honored this legacy and reinforced the idea that counties are stronger when they work together. Idaho continued to have a strong presence on the national stage, with 16 representatives actively engaged in shaping discussions and ensuring Idaho had a seat at the table. Like the Idaho Association of Counties…

The Idaho Association of Commissioners and Clerks (IACC) gathered in Coeur d’Alene for their 2025 Annual Conference this June 3-5. The event kicked off with IACC President Sharee Sprague welcoming everyone to the conference and IACC Vice President Zach Brooks delivering the pledge of allegiance. Kootenai County Commissioner Leslie Duncan wrapped up by welcoming attendees to Kootenai County. The first day offered commissioners and clerks two workshops to receive credits as part of IAC’s County Officials Institute (COI). Carl Ericson, Legal…

The 2025 Idaho Association of Counties (IAC) Spring County Officials Institute (COI) successfully concluded after four one-day training sessions across the state throughout April and May. IAC policy staff traveled to Idaho Falls, Twin Falls, Coeur d’Alene, and Nampa to deliver essential legislative updates and budget training to county officials and staff. “We are incredibly proud of the engagement and enthusiasm shown by county officials across the state,” said IAC Executive Director Seth Grigg. “These trainings are not only an opportunity…

IAC’s 2025 Directory of Idaho County Elected Officials is still available for purchase! Published annually, this directory is a valuable resource for those looking to reach Idaho’s nearly 400 county elected officials, hundreds of county staff, and members of affiliate organizations. The directory provides the names, phone numbers, and email addresses for all 396 county officials (if available at time of printing). Additionally, the directory includes Idaho’s federal and state officials, IAC’s Board of Directors, and affiliate association leadership. The directory…

Over 100 law enforcement professionals from across Idaho gathered at the Sun Valley Resort last week for the Idaho Sheriffs’ Association (ISA) and Idaho Jail Administrators’ Association (IJAA) Spring Conference. With more than 60 sponsors and exhibitors from across the country, the event offered a unique opportunity for attendees to explore new technologies, build partnerships, and expand their knowledge in key areas of public safety. The conference opened with remarks from ISA President Sheriff Sam Hulse (Bonneville County) and a special…

The Idaho Association of Counties (IAC) is proud to present the first Daniel G. Chadwick Civility Award during its Annual Conference in September 2025 to one deserving individual. The award has been created in the memory of Daniel G. Chadwick, or “Dan,” as most knew him during his 27 years of leading Idaho Association of Counties as the Executive Director. “Whether you were brand new to county government, whether you were a vendor, or whether you were the president of the…

The Idaho Association of Counties (IAC) is now accepting submissions for the legislative resolution process. We invite you to submit a resolution for consideration at the upcoming IAC Annual Conference. In order to be considered for adoption by IAC, the proposal must fulfill the following criteria: Focus on a single issue within the general realm and scope of county government; and Affect more than one county; and Affect more than one elected office or department; and Affect taxation, spending, revenue-generating authority, or create significant…