IAC’S BLOG

  IAC has compiled a list of the results for the May 17th primary election: 2022 Primary Election Results. Results are being updated as they come in! You can also find the unofficial elections results from the State of Idaho Elections Department here.

Many, if not all, of the counties in Idaho are looking for ways to enhance broadband coverage. There are some great opportunities available right now through the use of ARPA dollars, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill (BIL), as well as state funding that has been set aside (both ARPA funds and state funds without federal strings attached) which will be distributed by the Idaho Broadband Advisory Board (IBAB).  The best way to access these funds is having a strong broadband plan in…

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…

The Idaho Association of Counties (IAC) applauds Legislative Leaders and Governor Little for taking bold action on public defense reform by passing House Bill 735. “House Bill 735 provides historic reform regarding how public defense is funded,” says Seth Grigg, IAC Executive Director. “Instead of counties footing the bill using property tax dollars, state sales tax will be utilized to pay for public defense. This not only ensures consistent public defense funding across the state, it also provides around $33 million…

The Idaho Legislature adjourned last week sine die, marking the end of a session that will be remembered as one of the most important sessions for counties in recent history. Idaho counties scored major wins that reform public defense delivery (H0735), repeal the county medically indigent program (H0735), increase transportation funding (H0772, S1359), transfer funding responsibility for involuntary commitment expenditures to the state (S1327), and reduce county property taxes (H0735). IAC staff have relied on the IAC Legislative Committee and membership…

The 2022 IAC Salary and Benefits Survey is now available for electronic download. IAC surveyed all 44 counties and a total of 40 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 Kristin Cundiff and she will get the corrections made. Thank you for your participation in this year’s survey. We had a great response and…

This week will likely be the final week of the 2022 Legislative Session. Even though we are in the home stretch, IAC is still monitoring around a dozen bills. The bills highlighted below are still alive and need IAC members to be actively engaged, particularly with the Senate and in the case of one bill, Governor Little. IAC 2022 Priority Legislation House Bill 735 on Public Defense is scheduled for a hearing in Senate Local Government and Taxation today at 2 p.m….

The Legislature is barreling towards adjournment later this week, with Friday, March 25th as the targeted day of adjournment. As the session winds down, there are a number of bills to be on the lookout for, including additional transportation funding. The biggest issue outstanding for counties is House Bill 735. House Bill 735 is set to be heard this afternoon in the Senate Local Government and Taxation Committee which plans on sending the bill to the Senate’s 14th Order for potential amendments….

The Idaho State Tax Commission is resuming its in-person Budget and Levy Training this spring. The first General Session will take place on April 26, 2022 at the Latah County Fair Grounds in Moscow, Idaho. Attendees can choose between the 8:30 a.m. – noon session or the 1:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. session. The first County Clerk Session will take place on April 27, 2022 at the Latah County Fair Grounds in Moscow, Idaho from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. It…

This week we encourage IAC members to reach out to your Senators to express support for House Bill 735, the public defense spending bill and to keep an eye on the appropriation bills to determine whether or not the legislature will adjourn soon. Public Defense Funding House Bill 735, sponsored by Representatives Jon Weber (District 34, Madison) and Mike Moyle (District 14, Ada) passed the House floor (63-1-6) last Tuesday, March 8th. It is now in the Senate Local Government and…

Major Property Tax Legislation Held House Bill 741, legislation to raise the sales tax from 6% to 7.85% and properties receiving the homestead exemption from paying most nonschool property taxes, will not move forward this session.The legislation proved to be too complex and too big of a change in tax policy to advance this late in the session. In spite of House Bill 741 not moving forward, legislators plan on continuing to work on the concept in the interim and bring…

Multiple Bills Significantly Impacting Counties Up this Week In addition to the property tax/sales tax replacement bill House Bill 741 which we have been tracking closely, many other key bills affecting counties will likely be on the move this week. Three of the bills mentioned below could provide property tax relief while still keeping counties whole. We encourage IAC members to reach out to your legislators (texting and phone calls work best) to share your positions on the bills described below….

House Introduces Major Property Tax Reform Legislation On Friday, March 4th, the House Revenue and Taxation Committee introduced House Bill 741 exempting owner-occupied residential property from paying most property tax levies. House Bill 741 is sponsored by House Majority Leader Mike Moyle (District 14, Ada County) and Senate Local Government and Taxation Committee Chair Jim Rice (District 10, Canyon County). If enacted, H0741 will do the following: Increase the state sales tax from 6.0% to 7.85% Exempt owner-occupied residential properties from…

Major Property Tax Relief Legislation on Tap for Introduction After weeks of speculation and the cancelation of multiple introductory hearings, major property tax relief legislation is set to be unveiled later this week. While an introductory hearing has yet to be set, legislators are tying up loose ends in preparation of making the bill public. IAC has been at the table to answer questions related to the impact of the proposal on counties. The basic components of the bill are as…

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 our home counties. The conference had a number of workshops to highlight services provided by NACo and to assist in navigating federal rules and programs. Two…

Major Property Tax Relief Package on Tap The House Revenue and Taxation Committee is poised to introduce a property tax relief package that will alter how local governments are funded. Under the framework, anyone who owns a residential property and receives the homestead exemption would be exempt from paying nonexempt property taxes to counties, cities, and non-school taxing districts. Property owners would continue to pay exempt property tax levies (levies for voter approved bonds) and levies to school districts. To offset…

Special IAC Member Meeting on Property Tax Replacement Proposal this Week Leaders in the House and Senate are focusing in on a proposal to increase the state sales tax to 7.95%, dedicating the increase to expand the grocery tax credit and provide property tax relief for owner-occupied homes. Under the proposal, anyone receiving the homestead exemption would only pay property taxes to schools and for voter-approved bonds. The increased sales tax collections would be used for property tax replacement funds for…

The Idaho Association of Counties (IAC) recently held its 2022 Midwinter Legislative Conference in Boise, where it presented annual awards to distinguished members, among other notable activities. The Mills-Adler Award is given to officials from various affiliate associations for their dedication and significant contributions to their counties. The award is named in honor of two distinguished county elected officials: the late Darwin Mills, Lincoln County Sheriff, and the late Betty Adler, Payette County Treasurer. Both exemplified the qualities all county elected…

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 Idaho’s legislators during the Legislative Reception. “The Midwinter Legislative Conference is where we put our legislative positions into action,” said IAC President Chris Goetz. “I’m proud…

As we enter the sixth week of the 2022 Legislative Session, the number of introduced bills has increased significantly. In spite of these increases, very few bills have advanced having an impact on counties. The chart below is a good comparison of recent bill introduction history through the first five weeks of the legislative session. What is significant about 2022 is the fact that the deadline to introduce bills in non-privileged committees is February 14. The target date to complete budget…