Commissioners and Clerks Meet in Idaho Falls for 2024 IACC Annual Conference

The Idaho Association of Commissioners and Clerks (IACC) gathered for their 2024 Annual Conference in Idaho Falls. The three-day event began on Tuesday, June 4th and kicked off with IACC President Denis Duman addressing the group and leading them through the Pledge of Allegiance and invocation. Bonneville County Commissioner Bryon Reed concluded introductions by welcoming the group to Bonneville County.

The first day offered commissioners and clerks two workshops that afforded credits as part of IAC’s County Officials Institute (COI). “Crisis Communications” was presented by Sara Prentice, Director of Communications, and Ethan Huffman, Executive Communications Lead at Idaho National Laboratory, and “Hot Topics in Property Taxation” was presented by Alan Dornfest, Tax Policy Bureau Chief with the Idaho State Tax Commission.

Day one also included presentations from Tim Osborne, executive director of the Idaho Counties Risk Management Program (ICRMP), who provided attendees with insight on 2024 insurance renewals. Eric Fredricksen, Idaho State Public Defender, presented an update on the state’s public defense transition. The Idaho Association of Noxious Weed Control Superintendents also spoke at the event on Tuesday. The first day of the conference wrapped with the IACC Business Meeting, which covered the 2024 IACC budget approval, the Nominating Committee report, Secretary/Candidate speakers, and a 2024 Legislative Update by IAC staff.

On Wednesday, commissioners and clerks were split up to focus on topics specific to their elected positions. Commissioners spent the morning hearing from different organizations, including the Board of Equalization, Solid Waste Management, and the Public Health Directors. Commissioners and clerks reconnected for a joint lunch sponsored by GemPlan, before heading back to their breakout sessions.

Commissioners listened to a legislative panel in the afternoon moderated by IAC Director of Government Affairs Sara Westbrook. Panelists featured Senator Todd Lakey, Senator Jim Guthrie, Representative Jon Weber, and Representative Jerald Raymond. The panel was followed by a presentation from the Idaho Division of Occupational Licensing. The day wrapped for commissioners with a presentation of emotional intelligence from Idaho State University and then a roundtable discussion.

“IAC does a fantastic job of scheduling relevant topics and providing us with timely information,” said Idaho County Commissioner Denis Duman.

Concurrently, clerks spent day two with members of the State of Idaho Board of Canvassers, who were present at the conference to certify Idaho’s primary election results. Idaho Secretary of State Phil McGrane, Idaho State Controller Brandon Woolf, and Idaho State Treasurer Julie Ellsworth met with county clerks and presented plaques to counties who participated in the audit.

“This conference was particularly insightful and engaging having the Secretary of State, the State Controller, and the State Treasurer present,” said Valley County Clerk Doug Miller, who also serves as president of the Idaho Association of County Recorders and Clerks (IACRC). “Hearing from the State Tax Commission and the State Supreme Court also afforded an incredible opportunity to discuss important issues impacting Idaho’s elected clerks and their offices,” he said.

Attendees wrapped the second day of the conference with a joint social hour at the Museum of Idaho, which included appetizers and beverages. Commissioners and clerks enjoyed touring the museum after hours and received an exclusive first look at the new exhibit, Above & Beyond. The interactive exhibit allowed visitors to immerse themselves in the world of flight that explores the science, innovation, and wonder of aerospace technology.

The final day of the conference concluded with the IT Leaders Meeting and the last IACC Business Meeting, which featured the installment ceremony for new officers. Power County Clerk Sharee Sprague moved up to IACC President, Canyon County Commissioner Zach Brooks was sworn in as Vice President, Bingham County Commissioner Eric Jackson was elected Secretary/Treasurer, and Madison County Commissioner Brent Mendenhall was re-elected as IACC Representative on the IAC Board of Directors.

“This was a tremendously successful conference, and we are grateful to all of the exhibitors, sponsors, and presenters who participated,” said Duman. “I’d like to give a special thank you to GemPlan and Bancorp who sponsored both conference luncheons.”

The next IACC Annual Conference will be held in beautiful Coeur d’Alene Idaho from June 3-5, 2025. Commissioners and clerks will also be present at the 2024 Idaho Association of Counties (IAC) Annual Conference September 23-25, at the Boise Centre. Keep an eye on your inbox for registration information in coming weeks!

To see photos from the IACC Annual Conference and download pictures, visit the conference’s Flickr album.