Canyon County Clerk, Chris Yamamoto, has submitted his resignation to the Board of County Commissioners with his last day in office scheduled for February 2, 2024. He is retiring after serving as the county clerk for just over 13 years. Yamamoto was first elected to clerk in the 2010 election, being sworn in and beginning his tenure in 2011. Yamamoto has been elected to four terms. He’s been the 21st Clerk in Canyon County history. His tenure from 2011-2024 makes him the second-longest tenured clerk in Canyon County history.
Yamamoto has helped supervise and guide all of the statutorily delegated duties, which include court administration, elections, the accurate recording of essential public documents, indigent services, and budgeting and financial oversight. Under Yamamoto’s leadership, the county was recognized over successive years with the Certificate of Achievement in Excellence for Financial Reporting associated with the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report as awarded from the Government Finance Officers Association. Yamamoto reflects on his service and future:
“I’ve prioritized the taxpayers with conservative budgeting that has left in excess $150 million dollars in cumulative tax savings for the citizens of Canyon County over my tenure. I’m now looking forward to regaining my health in retirement and spending some precious time in Idaho’s mountains with my family and loved ones. I wish to thank the dedicated team of deputy clerks who have served the county in an ‘efficient, accurate, and friendly manner,’ all true to the motto of our office. I wish to also thank the voters of Canyon County who have entrusted me with this office for four terms. I’ve been humbled by the support and the opportunity to serve. I wish Canyon County the best in the years to come.”
The vacancy will be filled according to Idaho Statute (59-906), which establishes that the local central committee of the same political party of the resigning officer provide three nominations within 15 days from when the office is vacated to the Board of County Commissioners. The commissioners will then have 15 days to appoint one of the nominations to fill the vacancy. In this case, the Canyon County Republican Central Committee will provide nominations as Yamamoto was elected as a Republican.