IAC’S BLOG

With summer affiliate conferences just around the corner, here’s a quick reminder about the process to submit a proposed resolution to IAC for consideration for inclusion in the 2024 resolution packet. You can access the 2024 Resolution Template here. The first page of the template includes all of IAC’s guidelines for proposed resolutions. The second page is the template members need to use when submitting a resolution. While the guidelines do not require a member to go through their affiliate association…

The Idaho Sheriffs Association (ISA) and the Idaho Jail Administrators Association (IJAA) held their 2023 Spring Conference at the Sun Valley Resort from May 9 – 11. The event drew sheriffs, jail administrators, and deputies from around Idaho for presentations and training from subject matter experts, roundtable discussions, business meetings, committee reports, awards, and more. Additionally, the conference hosted a variety of high-level sponsors and dozens of vendors with ample networking opportunities. Keynote presentations included “Use of Force/Liability” by Providence, Rhode…

By Skip Brandt, Idaho County Commissioner, WIR Representative Idaho county elected officials and IAC Executive Director Seth Grigg traveled to St. George, Utah, this May to attend the National Association of Counties (NACo) 2023 Western Interstate Region (WIR) Conference. This event brings together county officials from across the nation to focus on pressing issues facing counties and our residents. I would like to thank my colleagues who attended this year’s conference. Idaho was well represented by Bannock County Commissioners Jeff Hough…

The 2023 IAC Salary and Benefits Survey is now available for electronic download. IAC surveyed all 44 counties and a total of 43 counties participated in this year’s survey. The electronic survey is available in an excel spreadsheet so that our members can use the data how they see fit. If you find any errors, please contact Sara Westbrook and she will get the corrections made. Thank you for your participation in this year’s survey. We had a great response and…

IAC is thrilled to join the National Association of Counties (NACo) in celebrating the accomplishments of Idaho’s county staff members who completed the NACo Leadership Academy this January. They contribute to more than 6,000 graduates and current participants from across the country benefitting from the 12-week online program, which enables existing and emerging county leaders to achieve their highest potential. January’s graduates: -Adam Schroeder, Director, Ada County -Brad Frazier, Inspector/Plan Review, Latah County -J.P. O’Donnell, IT Director, Twin Falls County -Jon…

By Sabrina Young, Washington County Treasurer and Tanna Beal, Bingham County Treasurer The Idaho Association of County Treasurers (IACT) provides an effective communication network and is a source of education for county treasurers while promoting integrity, credibility, and professionalism. To support this commitment, IACT provides ongoing educational programs that promote the professional execution of the constitutional and statutory duties of the Office of County Treasurer. IACT conducted New Treasurer Training on Tuesday, April 25, in Boise at the ICRMP Local Government…

Governor Little recently held a ceremonial bill signing for House Bill 236, capping off a two-session process to transition from a county-based public defense system to a state-based public defense system. While House Bill 236 was actually signed in March, the Governor wanted to recognize the efforts of county officials and public defenders in coming together to pass legislation that is hoped will provide more uniform indigent public defense around the state. While House Bill 735 (2022) established a dedicated funding…

The GemPlan Board of Directors recently gathered in Pocatello for a meet-and-greet at the Sandpiper Restaurant. They also held their official board meeting at the Mutual Building. GemPlan is a self-funded health care plan owned, operated, and controlled by counties for counties, their elected officials, employees, and dependents. GemPlan is also one of IAC’s highest tier, Premier Corporate Partners. As of January 1, 2023, 28 subscriber counties have joined GemPlan with approximately 8,150 beneficiaries.  

With the 2023 Legislative Session largely in the rearview mirror, counties across the state will enter 2024 in a stronger position. 2023 has been a good year for counties. Not only will county property taxpayers see real property tax relief, but counties will also receive funding enhancement for transportation and public defense services. Additionally, the next year will mark a historical shift in how indigent public defense services are provided across the state. Below is a list of IAC’s major accomplishments…

Help us celebrate National County Government Month by showcasing your county’s hidden gems all month long! National County Government Month (NCGM), held each April, is an annual celebration of county government. We invite you to take this opportunity to promote the important programs and services your county offers. You can use social media to show gratitude to the dedicated people behind the scenes that help keep counties running smoothly. You can also go out, explore and share photos of your county’s…

While the 2023 Legislative Session is winding down, we are still tracking bills here, including House Bill 292 (property tax relief), House Bill 236 (public defense reform), and Senate Concurrent Resolution 101 (Support for EMS Sustainability Taskforce). Seth Grigg discusses H292 and H236 in his From the Executive Director article this week, so I am going to focus on SCR101. SCR 101 passed out of the House Health and Welfare Committee this morning. SCR 101 expresses support for the continued work…

2023 Legislative Session Winding Down As the Legislature enters week 11, all signs point to an adjournment as soon as Friday, March 24th, but more realistically sometime the week of March 27th. I don’t expect any new major pieces of legislation this week, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty of other work to be done. While budget bills have been advancing to the Governor’s desk, key budget bills (K-12 education, higher education, and Medicaid) have yet to be brought up…

This week, we have three bills that we are tracking very closely. Two are bills that we support, regarding public defense and vape tax, and one is a bill that we oppose. Last Thursday, the State Public Defender Act (House Bill 236) passed the House. It is scheduled for a full hearing in Senate Judiciary and Rules on Wednesday at 1:00 pm. To watch the committee, click here. We are hopeful that House Bill 199 (our IAC Priority to establish a…

The House Revenue & Taxation Committee approved House Bill 292 this morning on a 14-1 vote. The bill now advances to the floor of the House of Representatives for a full vote. The bill will likely be voted on in the next two days. House Bill 292 is the culmination of negotiations kicked off over the summer at a meeting hosted by Senator Scott Grow. Primary participants in discussions over the last year have included Senate Finance Chairman Grow (Ada County),…

For years now, the Idaho Association of Counties has supported the taxation of vape products, creating a parody with the tax of tobacco products and, more importantly, providing additional funding for youth prevention and awareness of the dangers of vaping. This was an IAC priority in 2022 and again this year. With the introduction of House Bill 199, we have gotten farther than ever before, but to get the vape tax bill across the finish line, we need the help of…

Pace Picking Up at Statehouse Last week came with a flurry of activity in legislative committees and on the floor of both bodies as the session enters month three. Here is the activity from last week impacting counties: – IAC-opposed House Bill 150 was held in the House Revenue & Taxation Committee on a 12-4 vote. House Bill 150 is sponsored by Representative Rick Cheatum (Bannock County). The bill would have required counties to remit penalties and interest to taxing districts….

Members of IAC’s Legislative Committee met today in downtown Boise for their hybrid meeting to discuss updates on the 2023 Legislative Package that includes IGA-06 Preliminary Levy Rate, Vape Tax – H0199, and H0085 – DMV Title Fees, among others. They also focused on new business, where public defense, the broadband equipment exemption, and others were discussed. Property tax relief remains a top priority for counties. “I appreciate the committee members coming prepared and their immaculate attention to detail,” said Twin…

  Tomorrow, we expect House Bill 150 to receive a hearing in the House Revenue and Taxation Committee. The IAC Legislative Committee chose to take an opposed position to H0150. The following are talking points that can be used when discussing with House Members why IAC opposes the bill. – According to Idaho Session Laws, from at least 1919 to 1989 the county tax collector was required to give delinquent taxes, late fees, and interest to the county auditor. The auditor…

Compromise Reached on Public Defense Legislation Late last week, stakeholders reached a tentative compromise on legislation establishing a new public defense delivery model effective October 1, 2024. Under the framework, counties will be relieved of all obligations to provide public defense. Those counties that currently contract for public defense, will continue to have contract public defenders to serve their respective counties (the contract will be with the state rather than the county). The compromise also ensures that a contract public defender…

The Idaho Association of Counties (IAC) hosted its 2023 Midwinter Legislative Conference at the Riverside Hotel in Boise from January 30 – February 2. The four-day conference brought Idaho’s county elected officials, county staff, affiliate agencies, and IAC Corporate Partners like Blue Cross of Idaho, Western States Cat, Enterprise Fleet Management, and more together for workshops, committee meetings, keynote speakers, panel discussions, and a guided tour of the Idaho State Capitol. The membership also had the opportunity to talk directly with…