H. Sydney Duncombe Award For Excellence in County Government In order to promote continuing improvement in county government in the State of Idaho, and in recognition of individuals residing in this great state who have made significant contributions to the furtherance of county government, the Idaho Association of Counties’ Board of Directors established the “H. SYDNEY DUNCOMBE AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN COUNTY GOVERNMENT”, in honor of Dr. H. Sydney Duncombe.
For many years Dr. Duncombe was a professor of political science and served as Director of the Bureau of Public Affairs Research for the University of Idaho. During his tenure, Dr. Duncombe taught and assisted hundreds of students and county officials, providing to all a better understanding of county and local government in Idaho.
He was the primary author of and is responsible for the publication of the “Handbook for County Elected Officials in Idaho.” He was the first director of the Idaho Division of Financial Management and created methods for improving and updating the budget and finance process for local government.
Past H. Sydney Duncombe Award Recipients
2023: Seth Grigg, IAC Executive Director
2022: Keisha Oxendine, First District Magistrate Judge
2021: Kathy Ackerman, Idaho County Clerk
2020: Alan Dornfest, Idaho State Tax Commission Property Tax Policy Bureau Chief
2019: Dave McGraw, Latah County Commissioner
2018: Tom Katsilometes, Idaho State Tax Commissioner
2017: Gene Kuehn, Former Canyon County Assessor
2016: Marc Shigeta, Payette County Commissioner
2015: Gordon Cruickshank, Valley County Commissioner
2014: Abbie Mace, Fremont County Clerk
2013: Patti Bolen, Valley County Sheriff
2012: Mary Childers, Jerome County Treasurer
2011: Bill Thompson, Latah County Prosecuting Attorney
2010: John “Jack” Nelson, Latah County Commissioner
2009: J.R. VanTassel, Former Nez Perce County Commissioner
2008: Teresa Wolf, Nez Perce County
2007: Jim McNall, ICRMP
2006: Duane Smith, Minidoka County Clerk
2005: Sherry Krulitz, Shoshone County Commissioner
2004: Daniel G. Chadwick, IAC Executive Director
2003: George Enneking, Idaho County Commissioner
2002: Roger Simmons, Ada County Commissioner
2001: Jerry Mason, ICRMP Attorney
2000: Ted Argyle, Ada County Civil Prosecutor
1999: Arnold Howard, Former Payette County Commissioner
1998: Jack Buell, Benewah County Commissioner
1997: Caroline Meline, Bannock County Commissioner
1996: Lila Jordan, Bonneville County Treasurer
1995: Anthony Poinelli, IAC Deputy Director
1994: Jean Esplin, Bingham County Clerk
1993: Judi Danielson, State Representative
1992: Jim Siddoway, Fremont County Commissioner
1991: Don Ponozzo, Clearwater County Commissioner
1990: Mary Kautz, Washington County Clerk
1989: Clyde Burtenshaw, Bonneville County Commissioner
1988: Robert Fry, Idaho State Tax Commissioner