IAC’S BLOG

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…

The Idaho Association of Counties (IAC) Board of Directors met in Sun Valley for their Spring Board Planning and Development Meeting on April 24, 2025. Attendees were welcomed with opening remarks from John David Davidson, IAC President and Blaine County Treasurer. Board members spent considerable time reviewing the proposed 2026 budget and eventually approving it. The budget overview covered IAC, IAC Service Corporation, Public Lands Trust, the Scholarship Fund, the Corporate Partner Program, and more. IAC Executive Director Seth Grigg presented…

The 2025 IAC Salary and Benefits Survey is now available for electronic download. IAC surveyed all 44 counties and a total of 38 counties participated this year. The electronic survey is available in an excel spreadsheet for your convenience. Thank you for your participation in this year’s survey. We appreciate the time and effort counties took to complete it. If you have any questions, please contact Chase Christensen, IAC’s research analyst.

Three of IAC’s six Districts held their respective meetings throughout the month of April in various locations around the state. IAC District meetings provide a valuable opportunity for local government leaders to connect, cover reported information ranging from the Legislative Session to county budgets, and elect new District leadership. District 1 Meeting:  The IAC District 1 meeting convened on April 11, 2025, at the Kootenai County Administrative Building. The session opened with introductions of first-time attendees, followed by officer and subcommittee…

As the 2025 Legislative Session winds down and the Legislature (hopefully) adjourns this afternoon, I want to thank the IAC Legislative Committee, IAC membership, and IAC staff for their thought, deliberation, and action during the Session. The IAC Legislative Committee in particular, spent countless hours reviewing proposed legislation, analyzing the impacts on counties, and directing IAC staff in its advocacy efforts this year. The Session stretched longer this year with a record number of bills. We couldn’t have done it without…

As the Legislature wraps up its 12th week of the session, a number of key issues impacting counties remain in flux. At the top of the list is transportation funding. The Senate Finance Committee introduced Senate Bill 1205 late this week providing funding for the strategic initiatives program. Senate Bill 1205 appropriates $110 million to counties, highway districts, and cities through the Highway Distribution Account (HDA). This amounts to a $10 million dollar reduction in funds from last year. In spite…

The legislative session, which may conclude within the next couple of weeks, is a critical period for us. Despite being in the final stretch, we are diligently monitoring several significant issues that could affect counties. Transportation Funding Earlier this week, the Joint Finance Appropriation Committee made a decision that could significantly impact us. They set the funding for ITD’s Strategic Initiatives Program at a lower level than the past two years. The Governor’s recommendation to increase Strategic initiatives to $311M this…

The legislature has moved very quickly this week, except when it comes to budgets. Multiple budgets were voted down this week in the Senate and the House, putting the Joint Finance Appropriation Committee a couple of weeks behind its original budget-setting goals. The Idaho Constitution requires a balanced budget to be set before the legislature may adjourn. If the legislature continues at the current rate, it will still be in session in April instead of finishing up on its original target…

There are ongoing discussions in the Legislature about cutting $50 million from the Governor’s proposed budget for state and local highway maintenance. If advanced, it would result in a loss of $21 million in local road funding through the highway distribution account. IAC is concerned that this is the first step in further general fund reductions in funding for local highway maintenance. Click here for an estimated revenue loss for your county. Please reach out to your legislators and voice your…

Written by Kathy Ackerman, NACo Board Representative and Idaho County Clerk  The 2025 NACo Legislative Conference is a wrap! Idaho had great, diverse representation with our delegation from counties across the state, including Ada, Bannock, Blaine, Custer, Idaho, Latah, Lemhi, Power, Twin Falls, and Valley counties. We were also joined by Seth Grigg, Sara Westbrook and Kristin Cundiff from IAC. We made a great team, working to learn and advocate for Idaho and Idaho counties. Key speakers for the conference included…

The IAC Legislative Committee met in person on February 26th at IAC’s downtown policy office. Those who could not make the trip to Boise joined virtually.  The meeting started off with the approval of February 19th minutes, followed by an update on current IAC priorities. Committee members discussed several bills relating to public notices, consolidated elections, tourism tax, public defense reform, and more. Discussion wrapped up with potential new legislation on the horizon.  Don Hall, Twin Falls County Commissioner and chair…