Local Government & Civic
Last updated: 2026-05-28
The Treasure Valley straddles two counties — Ada on the east, including Boise, Meridian, Eagle, Garden City, Kuna, and Star, and Canyon on the west, including Nampa, Caldwell, Middleton, Wilder, Notus, Greenleaf, Parma, and Melba. Each county runs elections, recorder, treasurer, assessor, sheriff, prosecutor, and the property-tax process; each city has its own mayor, council, planning and zoning, public works, parks, library, and building department. Most everyday business — paying taxes, voting, registering a vehicle, applying for a permit — happens at one of those layers, not at the state.
At the state level, the Idaho Legislature meets in Boise from January into spring; bills and committee schedules are posted on the legislature's site. The Idaho Secretary of State handles voter registration, statewide elections, business filings, and lobbyist registration. The Idaho Transportation Department, Department of Environmental Quality, Idaho Fish and Game, and State Tax Commission each run their own Treasure Valley operations.
For federal services, the U.S. Postal Service, Social Security Administration, IRS, and federal courthouse all have offices in Boise; Idaho's two U.S. senators and three U.S. representatives maintain Idaho state offices in addition to their D.C. offices. The links below cover the cities, counties, the state, your elected officials, and the most useful federal portals.
What you'll find on this page
- Official city websites for Boise, Meridian, Nampa, Caldwell, Eagle, Garden City, Kuna, Star, and Middleton.
- Ada County and Canyon County government — assessor, recorder, treasurer, elections, sheriff.
- Idaho Legislature, Secretary of State, governor's office, and statewide agencies.
- Voter registration, polling-place lookup, and your elected officials.
- Property tax, permits, trash, and recycling resources by jurisdiction.
City of Boise
Official City of Boise website — city services, council meetings, permits, parks, and department contacts.
City of Meridian
Official City of Meridian site — city council, development, parks, and resident services.
City of Nampa
Nampa city government — council agendas, public services, utilities, and development information.
City of Caldwell
City of Caldwell official site — council meetings, city departments, and Canyon County seat government.
City of Eagle
Official City of Eagle — growth, planning, parks, and local government resources.
City of Star
Official City of Star, Idaho — city services, council, and community development.
City of Kuna
City of Kuna official government portal — ordinances, permits, council agendas, and city services.
Garden City, Idaho
Official City of Garden City, Idaho — the enclave city along the Boise River with its own government, parks, and unique character.
City of Middleton
Official City of Middleton, Idaho — city services, council, and Canyon County community government.
City of Emmett
Official City of Emmett — the Gem County seat along the Payette River, home to the Cherry Festival and fertile cherry orchards.
Idaho City
Historic former gold rush mining town in Boise County — once the largest city in the Idaho Territory, now a charming mountain community.
City of Mountain Home
Official City of Mountain Home — Elmore County seat and home to Mountain Home Air Force Base.
City of Glenns Ferry
City of Glenns Ferry along the Snake River in Elmore County — historic Oregon Trail crossing site.
City of Marsing
Official City of Marsing — Owyhee County city along the Snake River, gateway to the Owyhees.
Ada County Government
Ada County official site — county commissioners, assessor, elections, courts, and all county services.
Canyon County Government
Canyon County official government site — commissioners, assessor, elections, and county services.
Gem County Government
Official Gem County, Idaho — county offices, commissioners, courts, elections, and Emmett-area services.
Boise County Government
Official Boise County, Idaho — mountainous county northeast of the Valley including Idaho City, Horseshoe Bend, Garden Valley, and Crouch.
Elmore County Government
Official Elmore County, Idaho — county offices, commissioners, courts, and services for Mountain Home, Glenns Ferry, and surrounding communities.
Owyhee County Government
Official Owyhee County, Idaho — vast high-desert county in the southwestern corner, with the county seat at Murphy.
Vote Idaho — Voter Registration
Register to vote, update your registration, and find your polling place in Idaho.
Idaho Election Results
Official Idaho election results — past elections and live election-night reporting from the Secretary of State.
Ada County Elections
Ada County election office — sample ballots, drop boxes, polling locations, and results.
Idaho Legislature — Who's My Legislator?
Find your Idaho state senator and representative by address, with contact information.
Ada County Assessor
Property tax records, parcel search, exemptions, and appeal information for Ada County properties.