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Van Buren County adopts AI use policy and moves to formalize shared digital information department with St. Joseph County
Summary
The board approved a countywide AI usage policy that requires staff training and white-listing/black-listing of AI services, and it authorized a formal intergovernmental agreement with St. Joseph County to collaborate on an integrated Digital Information Department (DID).
Van Buren County commissioners voted March 11 to adopt an artificial-intelligence usage policy that applies countywide and requires staff to complete training before being allowed access to county-approved AI tools.
Jerry Heppel, director of the county's DID/IT work, told the board the policy builds on existing IT and sensitive-data protections, reiterates staff accountability for outputs produced with AI and requires transparency when the public interacts with county-provided AI. The policy also establishes a white-list/black-list approach to permitted AI services and plans for monitoring and reporting AI use. Heppel said access to AI will be closed until staff complete mandatory online training and are "white-listed" for approved systems.
Commissioners also approved a proposed intergovernmental agreement with neighboring St. Joseph County to formalize ongoing collaboration on AI policy and shared DID functions. Heppel said both counties have similar technology goals and problems; a formal DID relationship is expected to produce operational efficiencies and allow the counties to pool expertise. He noted Saint Joseph County recently adopted a similar AI policy.
The motions to adopt the AI policy and to pursue the DID agreement were carried by the board. Staff said the AI policy is intended to be a living document and may be updated as the technology and standards evolve.
