Required County Services

The Idaho Constitution establishes the fundamental legal framework for county government in Idaho. It prescribes the elected county officials and their terms of office; places limitations on county indebtedness; contains detailed provisions on county boundaries; and provides for optional forms of county government.

Idaho law provides a detailed, legal framework for county government, describes the powers of county officials and enumerates the functions that counties may perform. Idaho does not have a county home-rule provision in its Constitution, thus county officials have less flexibility in establishing new programs and procedures than do county officials in county home-rule states.

Counties Versus Cities

Idaho counties, like counties in other states, have a dual function. They serve as an arm of the state government in administering elections, enforcing state laws and performing many other state-mandated functions. They also serve as a unit of local government which has responsibilities in meeting the needs of its own citizens in

Agricultural services
Health
Parks and recreation
Planning
Public works
Welfare

Cities, on the other hand, are voluntary organizations and are created in order to enhance services to citizens and provide better and highly livable communities. Regardless of the existence of cities, counties are still obligated to provide a number of services.

Services

The following is a non-exclusive list of many of those required services. Most are supported by either property taxes, fees and state shared revenues or a combination of resources.