2023 IACC Annual Conference Recap

The Idaho Association of Commissioners & Clerks (IACC) gathered in Moscow, Idaho, from June 6 – 8 for their 2023 Annual Conference. The conference kicked off with the Opening Session and welcome remarks from Owyhee County Clerk Angie Barkell, followed by an ethics presentation from Nez Perce County Clerk Patty Weeks and a discussion on impact fees from Colin McAweeney of TischlerBise.

The event offered ample training and professional development with a slew of subject matter experts and presenters from many of Idaho’s leading organizations, such as the Idaho Counties Risk Management Program (ICRMP), the Idaho Association of Counties (IAC), the Idaho State Tax Commission (STC), the Secretary of State’s Office, the State of Idaho Controller’s Office, and more.

“I appreciated the opportunity to brainstorm with Idaho’s county clerks and commissioners on ways to improve Transparent Idaho with local government data,” said Brandon Woolf, Idaho State Controller. “Their partnership and collaboration have been helpful in building trust and increasing accountability.”

In addition to trainings, there were several roundtable discussions and panels, including a Budgeting Q&A moderated by IAC Executive Director Seth Grigg. Panelists featured Nez Perce County Clerk Patty Weeks, Twin Falls County Commissioner Brent Reinke, Lewis County Commissioner Justin McLeod, and Boise County Clerk Mary Prisco. “Working With Your Elected Officials” was the second panel topic also moderated by Seth Grigg. Panelists included Chris Goetz, Clearwater County Sheriff; Ben Crouch, Jerome County Commissioner; Greg Johnson, Lewis County Commissioner; Abbie Mace, Fremont County Clerk; and Sherry Maupin, Valley County Commissioner.

In between presentations and panel discussions, attendees were allotted plenty of time to take advantage of networking breaks with conference exhibitors and sponsors. Exhibitors and sponsors included Access Idaho, Tyler Technologies, Zions Public Finance, Computer Arts/Harris, Blue Cross of Idaho, GemPlan, Kofile, Election Systems & Software, IDeal – Idaho’s 529 College Savings Program, Idaho Central Credit Union (ICCU), Clearwater Financial, Avista, and Western States Cat.

GemPlan showed their tremendous support for counties by sponsoring Tuesday’s lunch. Kofile sponsored the event tote bags, while Blue Cross of Idaho sponsored the lanyards. Many of the networking breaks were sponsored by the exhibitors.

Additionally, the IT Leaders, formerly known as the IT Directors, held their Summer Meeting at the conference on June 8th from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Their meeting was open to IT leaders, directors, and staff to ensure county professionals in all IT roles had the opportunity for education and training on relevant topics as well as networking opportunities.

Outside of trainings and workshops, all IACC conference attendees were able to enjoy evening social hours as well as a tour of the Northwest River Supplies (NRS) headquarters.

“The IACC conferences are ideal for networking and connecting with our colleagues in other counties and other organizations,” said Barkell. “It’s helpful having a space where we can share best practices and troubleshoot unique challenges to county government brought on by new and upcoming legislation.”

Barkell presided over the majority of the conference as the IACC President but was sworn in as Immediate Past President during the installation ceremony for IACC’s executive officers. Idaho County Commissioner Denis Duman was elected president, Bingham County Commissioner Mark Bair was elected Vice President, and Power County Clerk Sharee Sprague was elected Secretary/Treasurer.

Reflecting on the conference, Bingham County Commissioner Mark Bair expressed support of the conference and the benefit to attendees. “I thought the conference was great. As a commissioner, I am acutely aware of the importance of open communication between clerks and commissioners, as we often work closely together,” said Bair. “I am constantly amazed with the knowledge that is shared between elected officials at this conference and at IAC events.”

To see the full photo album from the conference and download pictures, visit IAC’s Flickr page. 

Save the date for the 2023 IAC Annual Conference, which will bring IAC’s members, including county clerks and commissioners, from around the state to the Boise Center from September 25 – 27.