From the Executive Director: Week of January 17
Tax Relief Takes Center Stage Six months into the current state fiscal year the state budget surplus stands at $1.9 billion. Let me repeat that: the state budget surplus is $1.9 billion and counting. With such a large budget surplus, all eyes are on what to do with it. The Governor has laid out his …
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Educational Property Tax Symposium Brings National Experts to Boise
The Idaho Association of County Assessors (IACA), Idaho Association of Counties (IAC) and Associated Taxpayers of Idaho (ATI) came together to co-host and sponsor an educational event on property taxes to kick off the legislative session in downtown Boise. Several legislators, county and city officials and business and industry folks participated in the event both …
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From the Executive Director: Week of January 10
All Eyes on Budget Surplus As the 2022 Legislative Session officially begins, the Legislature is poised to tackle legislation ranging from vaccines mandates to election security to housing, but the real question on everyone’s mind is what the Legislature will do with the state’s historical budget surplus which now exceeds $1.6 billion. Look for policy …
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Summary of Gov. Little’s State of the State Address and How It May Impact Counties
Governor Brad Little proposes big investments in transportation and education alongside tax cuts. The proposed budget would pay off state building debt and bolster rainy-day funds by adding more than $1 billion to the bank. It would also aim to spend $1.1 billion over the next five years on Idaho education. The Governor also proposed …
County Officials Invited to Attend Property Tax Summit on January 7
We know that property tax relief is poised to be one of the biggest issues before the legislature in 2022. We also know most Idahoans, including many legislators, do not understand the nuances of how the property tax system works. To that end, the Idaho Association of County Assessors, in partnership with IAC and the …
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IAC Immediate Past President Travels to Georgia for NACo Board of Directors Meeting
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 …
Want Flexibility on ARPA Spending? Contact Your Congressman
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 …
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Potential Federal Funding Sources for Idaho Counties
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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Congress Passes Bipartisan Infrastructure Funding Bill
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 …
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Idaho Commission for Reapportionment Approves Congressional & Legislative District Maps
The Idaho Commission for Reapportionment unanimously approved a new legislative district map and approved a new congressional district map on a 4-2 vote. If upheld, the maps will determine legislative and congressional districts for the 2022 primary election. A detailed legislative district map can be accessed by clicking here. The congressional district map can be …