IAC’S BLOG

July was a busy month for IAC’s districts. Districts 1, 2, 3, and 6 each met to provide and receive updates, discuss potential legislative resolutions, network, and more. IAC staff attended each meeting. It is always nice to meet with counties in their districts to learn more about the challenges they face and to see firsthand how the districts come together to support and learn from one another. Here are some highlights from each district meeting. District 1  District 1 members…

The Idaho Association of County Recorders and Clerks (IACRC) gathered in Lewiston, Idaho this August 11–13 for its 2026 Annual Conference, hosted at the Nez Perce County Courthouse. Throughout the conference, attendees participated in discussions and presentations covering legislative updates, artificial intelligence, budgets, upcoming elections, and updates from state leadership. The conference opened with a welcome from IACRC President and Teton County Clerk Kim Keeley, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and invocation. The morning featured a lobbyist update, budget training…

In January 2026, the Idaho Supreme Court issued an opinion in Crookham v. County of Canyon, No. 52514 (Idaho Jan. 16, 2026), which will have ramifications for local governments statewide. Chiefly, the previous three-part “standing” barrier to entry for a litigant bringing a challenge to a land use decision has been lifted in favor of the statutorily prescribed “affected person test,” which is yet to be hammered out in court cases. The Court found this outcome already implicit in its own…

COI Graduation Ceremony This September, more than 25 county elected officials and staff will earn their County Officials Institute (COI) certificate, and IAC couldn’t be more proud to celebrate them during our 50th anniversary year. The graduation ceremony will take place during the Annual Business Meeting on Wednesday, September 23, at 10 a.m., as part of the 2026 IAC Annual Conference in Boise (register here). Getting there wasn’t easy, and that’s the point. Each graduate completed 18 core credits and 12…

As we look ahead to the 2027 legislative session, we expect many of last session’s major issues — property taxes and revenue options for state-required county services, tourism impacts, data centers/energy, and transportation funding, among others — to carry over. These issues will require significant time and attention from IAC staff and membership alike. Given this heavy carryover, we are asking IAC members to think carefully before submitting a new resolution this year. If you are considering one, start by reviewing IAC’s…

Written by Idaho County Clerk, Kathy AckermanThe heat and humidity of New Orleans, LA greeted Idaho’s attendees Jenny Rosin (IAC President/Lemhi Co. Assessor), Andy Creech (IAC 2nd VP/Payette Co. Sheriff) Kathy Ackerman (NACo Board Rep/Idaho Co. Clerk), John David Davidson (NACo Board Rep/Blain Co. Treasurer)  Skip Brandt (WIR Board Rep/Idaho Co. Commission Chair), Will Naillon (WIR Board Rep/Custer County Commissioner), Rod Beck (Ada County Commissioner), Jeff Hough (Bannock County Commissioner), Vic Pearson (Franklin County Prosecutor), Carol Moehrle (NACo Board Member), and…

Across Idaho, county officials, employees, and residents joined the nationwide celebration of the 250th anniversary of America, adding their own local color to a moment shared by all 50 states. While the Fourth of July brought parades, fireworks, and festivities to communities across the state, the commemoration didn’t end there. On July 8th — 250 years to the day after the Declaration was first read aloud to the public in Philadelphia — communities in every state and territory participated in “Sharing…

Every Idaho county pays dues to belong to the Idaho Association of Counties. But membership is only the starting point. Behind the scenes, IAC has spent decades building — and curating — a portfolio of 14 programs and services designed to save counties money, reduce risk, and support the people who keep county government running. If you’ve never taken stock of everything IAC offers, you’re not alone — awareness of the full lineup is something we’re actively working to improve. Here’s…

Effective July 1, 2026, three state offices counties regularly work with — the Office of Species Conservation (OSC), the Office of Energy and Mineral Resources (OEMR), and the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) — have consolidated into a single agency: the Office of Species, Minerals, and Energy Coordination (OSMEC), pronounced “oh-smeck.” The Two Bills Behind the Merger House Bill 737 merged the Governor’s Office of Species Conservation (OSC) and the Governor’s Office of Energy and Mineral Resources (OEMR) under a single…

The Idaho Association of Commissioners and Clerks (IACC) gathered in Nampa, Idaho, June 2–4 for its 2026 Annual Conference. County commissioners, clerks, exhibitors, and partners from across the state came together for three days of education, networking, and business. The conference kicked off on Tuesday morning with a welcome from IACC President Zach Brooks, who greeted attendees and welcomed them to Canyon County. The first day featured a series of presentations focused on Idaho’s energy future and statewide energy planning efforts….

We’re starting IAC’s 50th Anniversary Conference with energy, laughter, and inspiration! Join nationally recognized entertainer and speaker Danny Adams as he sets the tone for our theme, “44 Strong. One Idaho. 50 Years of Impact.” In his interactive keynote, Laughter is Medicine, Danny combines humor, audience participation, and real-life insights to remind us of the power of connection, positivity, and shared experiences. Through laughter and engaging activities, attendees will discover how joy can strengthen teams, reduce stress, and create a lasting…

The 2026 Board of Equalization manual is now available! Having not received an update since 2014, this manual has undergone extensive work to bring it up to date, offering a comprehensive guide to standardized procedures to ensure compliance. It is designed to provide a real-world framework for the board of equalization process to help ensure consistency, accuracy, and assist in carrying out statutory responsibilities.  Utilizing these updated guidelines is more critical than ever to help mitigate risk, protect your county from…

It may feel like the 2026 legislative session just ended, but here at the Idaho Association of Counties, we are already looking towards the 2027 session, and we know that many of our members are as well. Preparing early gives everyone more time to collaborate, gather input, and strengthen proposals—leading to better outcomes for counties across Idaho. By starting the process now, we can ensure that ideas are fully developed and have broad support before being submitted. Last year, we transitioned…

The National Association of Counties (NACo) Annual Conference is a fantastic opportunity for county elected officials from across the nation to gather each year. NACo’s Annual Conference includes a variety of committee and caucus meetings, educational workshops, general sessions, and much more. According to John David Davidson, Blaine County Treasurerand IAC Naco representative, the NACo Annual Conference provides the chance for elected officials to “gather, share ideas and insights, and to learn from one another”, ultimately learning how to “appropriately face…

As one of the fastest growing states in the nation year after year, one challenge that continues to emerge is ensuring census numbers at the county level keep up with the actual growth. Last fall at IAC’s Annual Conference, many county officials participated in a workshop about a recently conducted study by the University of Idaho’s McClure Center about census trends in Idaho. During that presentation multiple county officials voiced concerns over inaccuracies in their counties. Expressing that they had concerns…

The Idaho Association of Counties (IAC) is pleased to announce that the 2026 IAC Salary and Benefits Survey is now published and available for member use! This annual publication provides vital information for counties as the upcoming budget cycle approaches. This report provides objective, comparative data directly from Idaho’s counties that are essential for responsible fiscal management and accurate personnel cost estimates. Access to this information can help county officials and department heads gain a clearer understanding of the competitive labor…

IAC has officially concluded the 2026 Spring County Officials Institute (COI) tour! Building on the success of last fall’s expanded format, this year’s training was once again held in six locations across Idaho to reduce travel demands for members and increase accessibility statewide. More than 250 county elected officials, department leaders, and staff members attended the day-long trainings. Following the 2026 Legislative Session, this spring’s agenda focused on legislation impacting county government and helping counties prepare for the FY27 budget season….

The Idaho Association of Counties now has an official U.S. Flag Retirement Box at our Vista office location in Boise, ID. Through NACo’s Care for the Flag initiative, American flags can now be properly disposed of at IAC. This box provides a convenient and respectful solution for our members to dispose of American flags that have reached the end of their service.If you are interested in learning more about the U.S. Flag Code and proper flag retirement, please click here to…

The Idaho Association of Counties (IAC) has announced the 2026 recipients of its annual scholarship program. After a competitive review process, seven students from across Idaho were selected from a pool of 56 applicants to each receive a $1,000 scholarship. In addition, one runner-up from each district has been awarded a $500 scholarship. Award Recipients: Andrew Lehman, District 1 Shayla Tyler, District 1 Runner-Up Mick Perryman, District 2 Ella Goetz, District 2 Runner-Up Clio Lindke, District 3 Rachel Beck, District 3…

Law enforcement leaders from across Idaho came together in Coeur d’Alene April 13-15 for the Idaho Sheriffs’ Association (ISA) and Idaho Jail Administrators’ Association (IJAA) Spring Conference, bringing together more than 100 law enforcement officials for a week of collaboration and professional development. The conference also featured 56 sponsors and exhibitors from around the country, showcasing innovative tools, services, and resources designed to support modern policing and corrections. The event began with welcoming remarks from ISA President and Butte County Sheriff…