From the Executive Director: Week of February 1
By now most of you are aware of Senate Bill 1021 that would impose additional caps on annual local government property tax budget increases. Depending on the level of growth measured by new construction, a county would be able to increase its annual property tax budget by between 3-4%. The new budget caps could be …
Continue reading “From the Executive Director: Week of February 1”
What to Watch: Week of January 18
Property tax budget caps and newly proposed PDC Rules are at the top of our list for what to keep an eye on this week. We anticipate property tax budget cap legislation to be introduced as early as this week in the Senate Local Government and Taxation Committee. The committee meets every Tuesday, Wednesday, and …
From the Executive Director: Week of January 18, 2021
In the coming days (and the weeks that follow) the Legislature is set to introduce a series of property tax reform bills with the aim of further restricting local government property tax budget increases. When the dust settles, a bill will be introduced to cap annual property tax budget increases at around 4% (inclusive of …
Continue reading “From the Executive Director: Week of January 18, 2021”
From the Executive Director: Week of January 11, 2021
Monday marked the start of the 2021 Idaho Legislative Session. This Session will be remembered long into the future. As the Legislature convenes to advance legislation impacting counties, IAC will be your voice at the Capitol. Each week you will receive the IAC Legislative Bulletin in your inbox. The Bulletin includes featured articles about legislation …
Continue reading “From the Executive Director: Week of January 11, 2021”
Governor’s State of the State Address: Highlighting County Issues
Yesterday, Governor Brad Little delivered the State of the State address in a new format—virtually. The speech was short in comparison to years past without the usual breaks for legislative applause. It clocked-in around 30 minutes long. With a theme of “Building Idaho’s Future,” he touched on several topics that will be of interest to …
Continue reading “Governor’s State of the State Address: Highlighting County Issues”
Congratulations to Idaho’s Graduates from the NACo Leadership Academy
Nine Idaho county staff and elected officials participated in the NACo Leadership Academy, a 12-week online program that empowers front-long county government employees with fundamental leadership skills. Across the country, over 2,800 county employees have participated in NACo’s Leadership Academy. Idaho county staff and elected officials to complete the Academy are: Shelly Blackner, Butte County …
Continue reading “Congratulations to Idaho’s Graduates from the NACo Leadership Academy”
Leadership Changes in the Legislature
The Idaho Legislature held re-organization meetings in preparation for the 2021 legislative session. In the Senate, there were two contested races. Abby Lee and Lori Den Hartog ran for Assistant Majority Leader. Lee came out on top. Chuck Winder and Dan Johnson ran for Senate Pro Tempore, the top leadership office. Winder was the victor …
Avenues for Hope Housing Challenge Begins Thursday
The 10th Annual Avenues for Hope Housing Challenge begins Thursday, Dec. 10. This fundraiser assists 80 nonprofits that manage the day-to-day work of connecting Idahoans to safe, stable, and affordable housing. These critical nonprofits need your help now more than ever. Through Dec. 31, donors can direct their tax-deductible gifts to one or more nonprofit …
Continue reading “Avenues for Hope Housing Challenge Begins Thursday”
Local and State Election Analysis
While most of America was glued to national elections news this past week, IAC has been tracking local and state election results in the Gem State. Both at the county and state level, turnover will be less than usual come January. At the county level, there will be 20 new county commissioners in 17 counties. …
Idaho Legislature Grants Limited Coronavirus Liability to Counties
During the recently completed special session, the Idaho Legislature adopted temporary legislation extending immunity to businesses, churches, cities, counties, and schools from claims associated with the transmission of coronavirus. The immunity is temporary because it sunsets (expires) on July 1, 2021. Over the course of two days, five different immunity bills were introduced. While each …
Continue reading “Idaho Legislature Grants Limited Coronavirus Liability to Counties”