News

As we begin a fresh year, the Valley County Commissioners want to take a moment to reflect on the significant milestones and achievements that have shaped 2024 in Valley County. From planning projects to community initiatives, new personnel to infrastructure upgrades, the county has navigated challenges and celebrated successes over the past year.

2024 was a busy year when it came to strategic planning, laying the foundation for some important work to come in 2025 and beyond. Valley County initiated conversations with Boise State University’s Hazard Resilience Department to create a sustainability plan. In addition, Commissioners and staff started the process to create a Resource Management Plan as well as participating in a steering committee to create a Southern Valley County Sewer District as we navigate continued growth in Valley County. A major accomplishment in 2024 came from the Valley County Recreation Advisory Council and the completion of the Valley County Recreation Strategic Plan. The plan identifies five key areas of focus: Collaborative Processes and Partnerships, Programs and Infrastructure, Communication and Engagement, Conserving Public Recreation Opportunities and Open Space, and Financial Stability. This draft is set to be presented to Commissioners on February 3, 2025.

On the personnel front, Valley County has added invaluable team members in 2024. Two new positions were created, a County Engineer to improve our Road Department and expand Engineering collaboration and insight within the County and the Wildfire Prevention Division position was brought in house. In addition, 47 new employees were recruited and hired in 2024 (31 permanent and 16 seasonal) to fill existing positions within the county. Finally, a new compensation and pay grade schedule was completed, designed to attract high quality employees, promote career pathing opportunities, and strengthen internal equity. 

The continued efforts of the county’s in-house grant writer remains a critical way to fund projects that may otherwise be out of reach. In 2024 Valley County wase awarded the following grants:

• A grant from the Harry Morrison Foundation to purchase Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) to put into Sheriff patrol vehicles. Placement will begin in February 2025.
• The Parks & Recreation Department was awarded an Idaho Department of Parks & Recreation (IDPR) Off-Road Motor Vehicle (ORMV) grant to purchase a skid steer and trailer piece of equipment to help with snow removal at different parking lots and staging areas.
• The Parks & Recreation Department was also awarded an Idaho Department of Parks & Recreation (IDPR) Recreational Trails Program (RTP) grant to install a boat launch and raft slide at the Cabarton River Launch on the North Fork of the Payette River south of Cascade.
• The Parks & Recreation Department was awarded an Idaho Department of Parks & Recreation (IDPR) Road & Bridge (RB) grant to expand the Gordon Titus Parking Lot.
• The Parks & Recreation Department was awarded a Local Highway Technical Advisory Counsil (LHTAC) Children Pedestrian Safety Program grant to construct Phase 1 of the South Samson Trail Pathway.

Commissioners and staff continue to work on important community initiatives including housing, broadband, childcare, and recreation. Valley County donated $1 million to advance employee housing for the County and others in the Cascade region. In addition, the county helped to fund a new Pickleball court facility in Lake Fork. The county is also actively involved in the West Central Mountains Fiber Network Taskforce, which is working to secure accessible, affordable broadband internet service in Valley County. There has also been a continued focus on early childhood development, and specific focus on increasing the availability of childcare. While these challenges are ongoing, there has been movement this year on finding pathways toward viable solutions. 

A big milestone in 2024 was the approval of the Agricultural Protection Area (APA) ordinance and creation of an advisory board. Valley County Agricultural Protection Area Commissioners include Valley County agricultural producers William Leaf, Will Maki, Kendra Brown, Shirley Florence, and Kaylee Tuning. This APA ordinance enables anyone who owns five acres of active agricultural or forest production land (for 3 years or more) to apply for an APA designation to preserve it from development. 

Valley County also finalized the purchase of the AmeriTitle building in Cascade in 2024 with the goal of expanding County office space. In addition, Commissioners moved forward with the decision and initial implementation of moving the Road Department to a new facility on Gold Dust Road. 

On the technology infrastructure side of things, the main software at the county was upgraded to Tyler Technologies. In addition, all computers were updated, providing employees with new desktops or laptops depending on their needs.  

And finally, a few statistics that stood out in 2024:

• During the November 2024 election we saw 600 new voter registrations and an 80% voter turnout. 
• The Building Department issued 415 total permits in 2024 (down from 510 in 2023) including 147 for new residences (down from 167 in 2023) and 7 for new commercial projects (down from 25 in 2023). 
• The Recycling Center increased the total tons of recycled materials collected by 10.67% in 2024 compared to 2023. Individually, cardboard collections decreased by 1.65%, mixed paper increased by 53.9%, aluminum increased 58.1%, and mixed plastic increased 61.9%. 

Looking at 2025, the Commissioners want to congratulate Commissioner Hasbrouck on his retirement and welcome Commissioner Caldwell. Commissioner Maupin was elected as the Chairman on January 13, 2025, and together with Commissioner Caldwell and Commissioner Thompson, the Valley County Board of County Commissioners looks forward to continuing the successes of the past year into 2025.