The Shawnee County Commission meeting held on July 24, 2025, focused on several key topics, primarily revolving around Microsoft licensing and budget considerations for various departments.

The meeting began with a discussion on the tracking of Microsoft licenses. A commissioner raised a question regarding the ability to monitor actual usage of these licenses, suggesting that some users may not fully utilize their licenses, particularly as the county transitions to Microsoft Copilot. It was noted that certain departments, such as the jail and parks and recreation, may not require full licensing for all employees due to their specific operational needs. The discussion emphasized a more conservative approach to licensing, with plans to assess user activity and potentially reduce the number of licenses where appropriate.

Mark, a representative from the IT department, indicated that while they could track where Microsoft software is installed, determining actual usage levels might be more challenging. He committed to providing an estimate of user engagement with the software by the following Monday, highlighting that some users, like mechanics, might only need basic email access and could potentially forgo more comprehensive licenses.

Following the licensing discussion, the meeting briefly touched on the budget status for various departments, including the treasurer's office and audit finance, which were reported to be stable. The commission considered whether to discuss capital outlay but decided against it at this time.

Overall, the meeting underscored the county's efforts to optimize software licensing and manage departmental budgets effectively, with a focus on ensuring resources are allocated efficiently based on actual usage. The commission plans to revisit the licensing issue in the near future, following further analysis of user data.