County AI policy presented; commissioners keep adoption on action pending edits and procedure development

Bill Nixon, representing the county AI committee, presented a proposed AI policy to guide use of artificial intelligence in county operations. Nixon said the policy—discussed at an April 10 study session—rests on six principles: transparency, compliance, governance, workforce support, accountability, data protection and ethics. He said the county conducted a survey of county users in April 2024 and that finance, legal and technology staff contributed to the policy and procedure development.

Nixon told commissioners the policy would require disclosure of AI use where applicable and that a corresponding procedure would be approved by the county manager once the policy is adopted. “The principles reflect our commitment to responsibly use AI within the county,” Nixon said. He told the commission no additional funding is requested to implement the policy.

Commissioner Fast asked that the policy go beyond transparency to require informed consent—particularly for vulnerable populations such as people receiving developmental‑disability or other services—and Nixon said existing policies that require informed consent would continue to apply and that AI would be included where appropriate. Commissioner Ashcraft asked for clarity on what “uphold the highest ethical standards” means in practice; Nixon said the policy will rely on county values, AI ambassadors in departments, technology and legal review and key performance indicators to measure AI use and compliance.

Commissioners also asked whether the policy would be periodically reviewed; Nixon confirmed the related procedures include at least an annual review and that the committee may review the policy more frequently given the rapidly changing AI landscape. The item was held on action for further edits and procedure finalization rather than being adopted at the agenda review.