IAC’S BLOG

The Idaho Association of County Assessors (IACA) convened in Twin Falls, Idaho, from August 19–21, 2025, for its annual conference, hosted at the Canyon Crest Event Center. The conference kicked off on Monday with an optional golf scramble or bus tour of four unique, beautiful state parks located throughout Gooding County. The group gathered in the evening at the Malad Gorge State Park for a taco truck dinner sponsored by GovPros, where county assessors from across the state were able to…

According to the IAC Bylaws and the rotation schedule for elections, a sheriff is eligible to run as the IAC 2nd Vice President for the upcoming year (October 1, 2025 – September 30, 2026). This year’s candidate completed an application so he could share a little about himself and why he is interested in the position. Sheriff Creech will also have a few minutes to speak at our IAC Annual Business meeting in September and voting will take place during the…

After years of meticulous planning and hard work, the new Nez Perce County Courthouse is open for business. While in Lewiston, for the Idaho Association of County Treasurers Conference (IACT), county and state officials from across the state welcomed the opportunity to tour the new facility with two long-serving county officials, Nez Perce County Assessor Dan Anderson and Nez Perce County Clerk Patty Weeks. The county’s vision was to create a space that not only serves the needs of the present…

The Idaho Association of County Recorders and Clerks (IACRC) gathered in Pocatello, Idaho, from August 12-14, for their 2025 Annual Conference, hosted at the ICCU Alumni Center. Attendees discussed budgets, legislative updates, committee reports, and participated in hands-on leadership training. The conference opened with a welcome to Bannock County from IACRC President and Bannock County Clerk, Jason Dixon, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and an invocation. The morning featured an Elections Bill update from Ada County Clerk Trent Tripple, a…

Staff members from state associations across the west gathered in Salem, Oregon, August 20-22 for the annual Western States Staff Meet-Up. This year’s event was hosted by the Association of Oregon Counties (AOC), which welcomed attendees with a full itinerary that highlighted both professional development and local experiences. Highlights included tours of the Oregon State Capitol, the Marion County Jail, and the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training. This year’s meet-up brought together representatives from nine associations: California State…

Written by Elizabeth Mahn, Ada County Treasurer  Idaho’s county treasurers gathered in Lewiston for their annual IACT conference, marking a major milestone—the 100th anniversary of their association. The event blended education, celebration, and camaraderie in a truly memorable way. The conference welcomed several distinguished guests, including Shilo Heger, NACCTFO President from Kansas; Idaho State Treasurer Julie Ellsworth and the Revolutionary Spuddy Buddies who presented on America250 in Idaho; and Idaho’s own Jeffery Greene, a bronze medalist in snowshoeing at the Special…

Not pictured here, Senator Melissa Wintrow The Ada County Coroner’s Office was pleased to provide a fact-finding tour of their facility to legislative members of the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee. The event was presented by team members from multiple divisions to include forensics, investigations, and emergency preparedness. The purpose of this tour was to give decision makers a comprehensive understanding of the duties performed by Idaho coroners and the vital role they play in safeguarding communities across the…

The Idaho Association of Counties (IAC) Legislative Committee is not taking the summer off. The group met Wednesday for a midsummer update to remain engaged on key policy and fiscal issues affecting Idaho counties.  What Was Discussed: – IAC staff briefed the committee on summer steering committee meeting discussions, which will help shape policy priorities heading into the 2025 legislative session. – The committee also reviewed the current status of Idaho’s state budget, including how recent revenue trends and the possibility…

The Idaho Association of Counties (IAC) has named the 2025 recipients of the IAC Scholarship. After a competitive review process, seven students from across the state of Idaho were selected from a pool of 80 applicants to each receive a $1,000 scholarship from the IAC Scholarship Fund. Award Recipients: – Carly Rodriguez, District 1; – McKenna Knott, District 2;  – Claire Pierce, District 3; – Calista Stevenson, District 4;  – Quincy Cronquist, District 5; – Kaylee Kesl, District 6; – Makaya…

By Kathy Ackerman, NACo Representative and Idaho County Clerk This year, the National Association of Counties (NACo) celebrated its 90th Anniversary—a milestone that set the tone for the entire conference. The programming honored this legacy and reinforced the idea that counties are stronger when they work together. Idaho continued to have a strong presence on the national stage, with 16 representatives actively engaged in shaping discussions and ensuring Idaho had a seat at the table. Like the Idaho Association of Counties…

The Idaho Association of Commissioners and Clerks (IACC) gathered in Coeur d’Alene for their 2025 Annual Conference this June 3-5. The event kicked off with IACC President Sharee Sprague welcoming everyone to the conference and IACC Vice President Zach Brooks delivering the pledge of allegiance. Kootenai County Commissioner Leslie Duncan wrapped up by welcoming attendees to Kootenai County. The first day offered commissioners and clerks two workshops to receive credits as part of IAC’s County Officials Institute (COI). Carl Ericson, Legal…

The 2025 Idaho Association of Counties (IAC) Spring County Officials Institute (COI) successfully concluded after four one-day training sessions across the state throughout April and May. IAC policy staff traveled to Idaho Falls, Twin Falls, Coeur d’Alene, and Nampa to deliver essential legislative updates and budget training to county officials and staff. “We are incredibly proud of the engagement and enthusiasm shown by county officials across the state,” said IAC Executive Director Seth Grigg. “These trainings are not only an opportunity…

IAC’s 2025 Directory of Idaho County Elected Officials is still available for purchase! Published annually, this directory is a valuable resource for those looking to reach Idaho’s nearly 400 county elected officials, hundreds of county staff, and members of affiliate organizations. The directory provides the names, phone numbers, and email addresses for all 396 county officials (if available at time of printing). Additionally, the directory includes Idaho’s federal and state officials, IAC’s Board of Directors, and affiliate association leadership. The directory…

Over 100 law enforcement professionals from across Idaho gathered at the Sun Valley Resort last week for the Idaho Sheriffs’ Association (ISA) and Idaho Jail Administrators’ Association (IJAA) Spring Conference. With more than 60 sponsors and exhibitors from across the country, the event offered a unique opportunity for attendees to explore new technologies, build partnerships, and expand their knowledge in key areas of public safety. The conference opened with remarks from ISA President Sheriff Sam Hulse (Bonneville County) and a special…

The Idaho Association of Counties (IAC) is proud to present the first Daniel G. Chadwick Civility Award during its Annual Conference in September 2025 to one deserving individual. The award has been created in the memory of Daniel G. Chadwick, or “Dan,” as most knew him during his 27 years of leading Idaho Association of Counties as the Executive Director. “Whether you were brand new to county government, whether you were a vendor, or whether you were the president of the…

The Idaho Association of Counties (IAC) is now accepting submissions for the legislative resolution process. We invite you to submit a resolution for consideration at the upcoming IAC Annual Conference. In order to be considered for adoption by IAC, the proposal must fulfill the following criteria: Focus on a single issue within the general realm and scope of county government; and Affect more than one county; and Affect more than one elected office or department; and Affect taxation, spending, revenue-generating authority, or create significant…

The Idaho Association of Counties (IAC) Board of Directors met in Sun Valley for their Spring Board Planning and Development Meeting on April 24, 2025. Attendees were welcomed with opening remarks from John David Davidson, IAC President and Blaine County Treasurer. Board members spent considerable time reviewing the proposed 2026 budget and eventually approving it. The budget overview covered IAC, IAC Service Corporation, Public Lands Trust, the Scholarship Fund, the Corporate Partner Program, and more. IAC Executive Director Seth Grigg presented…

The 2025 IAC Salary and Benefits Survey is now available for electronic download. IAC surveyed all 44 counties and a total of 38 counties participated this year. The electronic survey is available in an excel spreadsheet for your convenience. Thank you for your participation in this year’s survey. We appreciate the time and effort counties took to complete it. If you have any questions, please contact Chase Christensen, IAC’s research analyst.

Three of IAC’s six Districts held their respective meetings throughout the month of April in various locations around the state. IAC District meetings provide a valuable opportunity for local government leaders to connect, cover reported information ranging from the Legislative Session to county budgets, and elect new District leadership. District 1 Meeting:  The IAC District 1 meeting convened on April 11, 2025, at the Kootenai County Administrative Building. The session opened with introductions of first-time attendees, followed by officer and subcommittee…

As the 2025 Legislative Session winds down and the Legislature (hopefully) adjourns this afternoon, I want to thank the IAC Legislative Committee, IAC membership, and IAC staff for their thought, deliberation, and action during the Session. The IAC Legislative Committee in particular, spent countless hours reviewing proposed legislation, analyzing the impacts on counties, and directing IAC staff in its advocacy efforts this year. The Session stretched longer this year with a record number of bills. We couldn’t have done it without…