By Kathy Ackerman, IAC Immediate Past President Idaho had several representatives at the recent National Association of Counties (NACo) Legislative Conference held in Washington, D.C., February 11-15. As with Idaho Association of Counties (IAC) conferences, attending a national conference allows attendees to network and learn about important issues and potential solutions that are relevant in …
Continue reading “IAC Officers Travel to Washington, D.C. for NACo Legislative Conference”
The Idaho Association of Counties (IAC) hosted its 2022 Midwinter Legislative Conference at the Riverside Hotel in Boise at the beginning of February. The four-day conference brought Idaho’s county elected officials and staff together for workshops, district and committee meetings, award announcements, a tour of the Idaho State Capitol, and the opportunity to connect with …
Continue reading “2022 IAC Midwinter Legislative Conference Recap”
By Kathy Ackerman, IAC Immediate Past President The National Association of Counties (NACo) Board of Directors meeting was held in Dekalb County (Decatur), Georgia on December 2-4 in conjunction with the Large Urban County Caucus (LUCC) meeting. One of the primary purposes of the Board meeting was to set the legislative priorities for the coming …
In late October, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed the State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial Fiscal Recovery, Infrastructure, and Disaster Relief Flexibility Act (S. 3011/H.R. 5735). It was introduced to the House on November 1 but has not seen further movement since. Many counties have struggled when determining how to use these funds based on the …
Continue reading “Want Flexibility on ARPA Spending? Contact Your Congressman”
In light of new legislation being enacted such as the bi-partisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) along with more seasoned programs like the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), Idaho counties have several opportunities to obtain federal funding. Read on for more details on these potential funding sources and additional resources for counties. American Rescue …
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Over the weekend Congress passed the bipartisan Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act (IIJA). The compromise bill provides needed funding for critical county infrastructure, including funding the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) program for an additional three years. Not only will SRS be funded for three more years but funding will be increased. Counties eligible for SRS …
Continue reading “Congress Passes Bipartisan Infrastructure Funding Bill”
As a newly elected official, you know the importance of your work and the work of county leaders. You also know the stark reality of needing to do more with less and to maintain alignment of your resources, supporting county employees, and encouraging your community to hang tough in this time of uncertainty. There is …
Continue reading “ADVANCING LEADERSHIP FOR NEWLY ELECTED COUNTY OFFICIALS”
Did you know that in addition to the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars directly distributed to counties, there are other funding pots that counties are eligible to apply for? You may be wondering what funding sources are available to citizens in your county and what direct assistance is securable for businesses, families and individuals. …
Continue reading “NACo Provides One-Stop Shop for ARPA Fund Grant Opportunities”
As a county leader, you manage several priority-1 decisions, activities, and initiatives every day. Perhaps the most important is personnel development – working hard to make other existing leaders better and emerging leaders ready. As you conduct this work with existing and emerging leaders to make your county stronger, you deserve to have a program …
Continue reading “County Leadership Development: Bolster your Succession Plan”
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”