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County staff outline AI use policy draft and website accessibility work; AudioEye tool installed

5779691 · September 13, 2025

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Summary

Eaton County communications and technology staff reported progress on website accessibility (AudioEye integration) and described development of an AI use policy to guide county purchasing and deployment of predictive and generative tools.

Eaton County communications and technology staff told the Ways & Means Committee Sept. 12 that the county27s website accessibility score remains high and that staff are drafting an AI use policy to guide future deployments.

Communications Director Logan reported the county website 22accessibility score229 out of 100.22 The county has installed AudioEye, an accessibility tool that performs automated remediation and offers user tools such as read-aloud and contrast adjustments. Staff said AudioEye flags a variety of issues (dead links, JavaScript variables, elements hidden from assistive tools) and that the tool27s estimate of potential affected visitors is a modeling figure—not an exact count.

Logan also described work on a county AI and machine-learning policy that would require human oversight (a "human in the loop"), prohibit full automation that eliminates human decision-making, define handling of confidential data, and set rules for permissible predictive and generative AI tools. Staff said they are consulting state guidance and peer municipalities and aim for a draft in October or November, depending on workload and capacity.

Commissioners expressed concern about data privacy and fraud risks. Staff noted that some AI services collect data for model training at lower subscription tiers, and the county intends to prohibit or restrict such uses when confidential information is involved.

Provenance (transcript evidence): communications report by Logan begins at block-3398.495; AI policy discussion and public comment occur through block-4020.705.

Clarifying details - Accessibility score: staff reported a site accessibility score of 99 (AudioEye reading) after recent site modernization and active remediation work. - AudioEye: automated fixes plus periodic manual reviews; staff cautioned the "impact" estimates are potential rather than precise user counts. - AI policy draft: objectives include legal compliance, data safeguards, transparency, accountability, human-in-the-loop requirement and a prohibition on AI that fully replaces human decision-making; timing: staff hope to present a draft in October or November but made no firm commitment.

Speakers (from transcript): Logan (Communications Director), Eric Dealey (Technology Services Director), Commissioners (questions), members of public concerns in comment.

Why this matters: Many local governments are adopting AI policies and better accessibility tools. Eaton County27s effort will set ground rules for county vendors and staff about permissible AI uses, data protections and oversight, while the accessibility work reduces resident barriers to online services.