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 …

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 …

Fugitive Dust Emissions

By Tiffany Floyd, Air Quality Division Administrator, Idaho DEQ Over the past several months, the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has seen an increase in public concern regarding fugitive dust emissions.  Fugitive dust emissions are regulated under the “Rules for Control of Air Pollution in Idaho” (IDAPA 58.01.01).  These dust emissions are particulate matter …

State of Idaho Updates FY2021 Revenue Outlook

This past week during IAC’s biweekly conference call with Governor Little, Alex Adams, Director of the Division of Financial Management, announced that the state of Idaho was revising its revenue forecast for the current fiscal year. Unemployment is currently hovering around 5.6% and consumer spending has rebounded since April lows. Given these important indicators, the …

Legislative Working Groups Recommend Special Legislative Session

It has been a busy few weeks for interim legislative committees and working groups. Joint Education, Judiciary and Rules, and State Affairs committees have met to explore the potential of a special legislative session. Among the topics covered include liability protections for both private businesses and governmental entities, the November general election, the jurisdiction of …

CARES Act CRF Update

Last week county officials participated in two separate conference calls with staff from the Governor’s Office to discuss questions related to implementation of the Governor’s proposal to leverage Coronavirus Relief Funds to cover payroll expenses for public safety and public health personnel (known as the Idaho Local Public Safety Initiative). Due to questions raised by IAC …

Apply now for open IAC Board positions

According to the IAC Bylaws and the rotation schedule for elections, a coroner is eligible to run as the IAC 2nd Vice President (formerly Secretary/Treasurer) for the upcoming year (October 1, 2020 – September 30, 2021). Please see Article V, Sections 3 and 6 below. In addition to the 2nd Vice President, the NACo Representative …

Interim Committees to Watch

The interim committees recently confirmed by the Idaho Legislative Council were recently released. Here are the committees to watch over the next six months leading into the 2021 legislative session. According to the Idaho Legislature’s website, the 2020 Federalism Subcommittee on Federal Lands plans to monitor and review federal acts, laws, and regulations that may …

2020 Census Car Caravan Weekend

The U.S. Census Bureau invites you to participate in the 2020 Census Car Caravan Weekend! A car caravan is a parade of cars that drives through a strategically selected route. Each car in the caravan displays census messaging to raise awareness of the 2020 Census. Please keep social distancing measures in place per the CDC …