Idaho Association of Counties Hosts Fall Trainings Across Idaho

This year, the Idaho Association of Counties (IAC) stepped into a new leadership role by expanding Local Government Transparency training through the Fall County Officials Institute (FCOI). Moving beyond a traditional format, IAC brought this important education directly to communities across the state, hosting sessions in seven locations: Coeur d’Alene, Lewiston, Weiser, Boise, Jerome, Malad, and Idaho Falls.

This expanded statewide tour delivered critical training to more than 400 participants, including county elected officials and staff, legislators, city officials and employees, attorneys, and special taxing district officials and personnel. Idaho Falls alone welcomed 115 attendees, underscoring the strong demand for accessible, in-person training on transparency and governance.

Presentations were led by county prosecutors, IAC staff, and public-sector professionals, offering attendees expert guidance on key topics such as an introduction to Idaho state and local government, Open Meeting Law, Idaho’s Public Records Act, Ethics in Government, Purchasing by Political Subdivisions, and Local Government Financial Transparency and Reporting. Each session provided 1.0 COI Core Credit, helping many participants advance toward COI graduation and strengthening leadership capacity across local government.

A key strength of the 2025 FCOI was the diverse mix of agencies represented. Attendees consistently noted the value of hearing perspectives from cities and special taxing districts, which sparked thoughtful discussion, meaningful collaboration, and a broader understanding of how transparency laws and best practices affect all levels of local government.

One participant shared, “Being invited by our director to broaden my training and provide insight to acts, rules, and regulations has been helpful in giving me a different aspect and appreciation for the elected officials and government roles.” This feedback reflects the broader impact of FCOI—building mutual understanding and reinforcing the shared responsibility of transparency in public service.

The County Officials Institute (COI) is designed to equip county leaders with the knowledge and skills needed to serve effectively, ethically, and transparently. The success of the 2025 Fall sessions highlights the importance of continued, collaborative training opportunities across jurisdictions.

IAC looks forward to announcing 2026 Spring COI locations and dates soon, continuing this commitment to education, collaboration, and strong local governance statewide.