2017 NACo Annual Conference held in Franklin County, Columbus, Ohio

Report by Commissioner Cruickshank Thursday July 20th After arriving this afternoon I was able to attend a Special Dinner Event for Past Presidents of NACo held offsite. Several Past Presidents attended with one being from the 1980’s. It was interesting listening to their reflections of their year as NACo President. Friday July 21st My morning …

Idaho Communities to Receive $30 Million in PILT

Secretary Zinke announces record rural assistance funding WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke today announced that 44 local governments in Idaho are receiving a total of $30 million in Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) funding for 2017. The payments are Idaho’s share of the record $464.6 million distributed to 1,900 local …

Congratulations Ada County Procurement!

Ada County Procurement played an integral role in a team that helped to modernize Idaho political subdivision procurement statutes for the 2017 legislative session. They helped to suggest statute changes that establishes delegated authority for counties, raises dollar thresholds for Goods, Services, and Public Works, adds an RFP process, and affords flexibility to political subdivisions …

Funding available for sage-grouse restoration projects

As part of the State of Idaho’s commitment to conserving sage-grouse and implementing habitat actions identified in the State sage-grouse conservation strategy, more than $300,000 will be distributed to groups and individuals for projects to improve habitat for the species on State and private lands in Idaho. The Governor’s Office of Species Conservation now is …

Why Public Lands Matter

Public lands — how they are managed and how they are used — matter.  Public Lands are critical to the conservation of fish and wildlife habitat, watersheds, cultural resources, and antiquities.  They’re a critical source of outdoor recreation such as hiking, fishing, and hunting.  They are also an important economic engine driving traditional resource use, …

Grants for Substance Abuse Prevention Programs Now Available

The Office of Drug Policy will award approximately $1.6 million in grants to fund substance abuse primary prevention programs across the state for FY2018. The funding is available through the Substance Abuse Block Grant (SABG), and is intended to provide substance abuse prevention services directly to youth, families and other at-risk individuals, and/or community coalitions …

2016 Capitol Christmas Tree Project Wrap-Up

By Keith Lannom, Forest Supervisor, Payette National Forest After more than a year of planning, the 2016 US Capitol Christmas Tree project is almost complete. Brian Harris and Chris Niccoli are driving back to McCall now, once they are home safely, I will consider the project 100% complete. Tuesday evening, December 6th, Idaho 5th grader …

2016 Recognition Awards – WTS SW Idaho

WTS SW Idaho is now seeking nominations for the 2016 Recognition Awards. It’s a great way to honor those who support our organization and its goals, and to heighten awareness of WTS in the transportation community. The SW Idaho Chapter will select a recipient for each of the categories below so nominate a recipient for …

University of Idaho Launching Online MPA Program

The Department of Politics and Philosophy at the University of Idaho offers the Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree for students interested in careers in the governance and management of local governments and communities. Students can expect to leave the program with intellectual and analytical skills, and the practical experience needed to enhance their ability …

UI Study Shows Growing Hispanic population contributes to K-12 enrollment growth and labor supply

MOSCOW, Idaho — June 1, 2016 —Hispanics make up 18 percent of Idaho’s K-12 school population – but accounted for 42 percent of enrollment growth in the last five years, according to a University of Idaho study. The Hispanic population is not increasing due to recent immigration, however.  Immigrants who came to the U.S. since …