Commissioners approve broad personnel manual updates including AI guidance, bereavement and smoking clarifications

County staff presented multiple proposed changes to the personnel manual, describing revisions ranging from renaming the document to adding a new chapter on artificial intelligence. "So the first 1 is just a proposed change to the the title of this manual to where it would change from personnel manual to personnel manual and facilities policy," the presenter said. Staff described detailed edits across sections including internal recruitment posting procedures, reinstatement and ACA implications for rehires, clarifications on sick-leave donations and bereavement leave to include miscarriage or stillbirth, holiday-pay clarifications, administrative leave without pay, and changes tied to Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and the Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) program.

The proposed new Chapter 12 on AI was introduced by the IT director and includes a training requirement: "Training on the proper use of generative AI tools in the workplace will be provided to employees as needed. All questions related to this training should be addressed to the chief information security officer." Staff also proposed expanding smoking prohibitions to county vehicles and electronic smoking devices and changing the required distance from building entrances from 15 to 25 feet.

After the presentation, a motion "to approve the personnel manual with proposed changes as presented with the noted changes" was moved; the transcript records multiple "Aye" responses afterward and staff thanked the presenter, identified as Colleen. The provided excerpt shows the board approved the manual as presented with the noted changes.