Committee OKs social media policy; IT outlines Windows 11 rollout, cybersecurity training and AI policy plans

The committee approved an updated social media policy (Policy 303) that restricts social-media use on county-owned devices to authorized users and establishes an acknowledgement form for employees who will post on official county accounts. The policy package also includes a waiver form for employees who consent to being posted on county-managed social accounts.

IT staff described several technology initiatives and timelines: - Windows 11 upgrade: the county began a phased Windows 11 rollout in January and plans to complete the upgrades by June, with a requirement to finish before Microsoft ends support on older systems in October. - Cybersecurity training: annual security awareness training was issued to employees and board members with a completion deadline; staff asked that all complete the training by April 3 to avoid account lockouts and noted the training typically takes 30–45 minutes. - .gov email transition: IT moved the county to a .gov domain in December; mail still routes to the old .org addresses for a transition period and the county will eventually discontinue .org accounts when the subscription expires. - AI policy: IT staff said they are drafting an AI use policy that will allow "appropriate" use of tools such as Microsoft Copilot and ChatGPT while prohibiting entry of confidential personnel or personally identifiable information into such models.

The committee also discussed county-issued cell phones and the lack of centralized management: IT reported multiple carriers and an unknown total count of county lines; members asked IT to inventory carrier plans and costs and return with recommendations on consolidation or reimbursement options.

The social media policy and associated forms were approved by voice vote during the meeting.