The 2026 Daniel G. Chadwick Civility Award

The Idaho Association of Counties (IAC) is comprised of individuals whose careers have come to define what public service should look like — not through grand gestures, but through decades of steady, quiet, selfless work that strengthens the institutions Idahoans rely on every day. IAC and its members have the honor of awarding distinguished and deserving recipients each year at IAC’s Annual Conference. This year we are honored to award and recognize Don Hall as the 2026 Daniel G. Chadwick Civility Award recipient.

Don Hall – Daniel G. Chadwick Civility Award

Don Hall’s story is one of bridge-building between agencies, between generations, and between the city and county governments that often operate in separate spheres. Don’s public service in Twin Falls spans nearly two decades: a City Council member from 2006 to 2017, Mayor of Twin Falls from 2010 to 2012 and again from 2014 to 2016, and a Twin Falls County Commissioner from 2017 to 2025.

Don has long understood that meaningful progress starts with bringing people to the same table. He was a driving force behind creating shared office space at County West, opening the door for nonprofit organizations to work directly alongside county government in pursuit of shared goals. That same instinct for collaboration shaped his work on behalf of veterans: Don helped unite local veterans’ groups under a single Veterans Council, supported dedicated meeting and office space for them, and helped bring state veterans services on-site — consolidating support that had once been scattered across multiple locations into a single place veterans and their families could turn to.

As one of the key points of contact between the City of Twin Falls and Twin Falls County, Don worked deliberately to improve communication and strengthen the relationship between the city and county. He built genuine connections with fellow elected officials and took time to mentor department heads, operating from a clear understanding that effective public service depends on trust as much as policy. That same long-term thinking shaped his involvement in several major county projects including a new court facility, a jail expansion, a youth court program, and an expansion of juvenile services. Each required years of patient advocacy and planning to bring to completion.

Don’s leadership was again evident, when he helped guide Twin Falls County through a period of profound uncertainty during COVID-19. He also worked to improve pay and retention for county employees, recognizing that the people doing the daily work of county government are the foundation everything else depends on. His influence reached well beyond Twin Falls County as well, through his service on the IAC Legislative Committee, both as a committee member and later as Chair,  and his work on the ICRMP Board, roles that allowed him to advocate on behalf of counties statewide.

Across public health, economic development, tourism, parks, health care, crisis services, public policy, and civic organizations, Don has contributed his time and experience to nearly every facet of community life, with a particular focus on youth mentoring, drug prevention, and education. Don Hall embodies the definition of the Dan Chadwick Civility Award with his unwavering spirit of civility, collaboration, and a genuine belief in what a community can accomplish when people work together.