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Curry County adopts website and social media administration policy after staff report of unauthorized edits
Summary
After staff reported an unauthorized user made changes to county web pages, the board approved a policy consolidating administrative control for the county website and requiring registration of department social pages; motion carried 3-0.
The Curry County Board of Commissioners voted 3–0 on May 7 to adopt a new Website and Social Media Administration Policy designed to prevent unauthorized changes and ensure accuracy of county postings.
The action followed staff reports that an authorized department account had been used to edit pages beyond that department’s scope. Director Fitzgerald told the board that managers had temporarily limited administrative access to a single designated webmaster while staff investigated and drafted rules to register and vet departmental social-media accounts and streamline web publishing.
The policy requires department social pages to be registered with human resources, centralizes administrative approval of county website content through the county web administrator, and asks agencies to verify data before posting. Fitzgerald said the move was intended to protect the county’s IT infrastructure and to prevent inadvertent or inaccurate postings that could misrepresent other agencies’ activity. The board recorded a unanimous vote to adopt the policy.
Commissioners discussed implementation steps and follow-up reviews. Director Fitzgerald and staff said they would work with departments that already operate Facebook pages, coordinate with IT to reduce infrastructure risk and schedule periodic reviews to identify process cracks. No departments were denied posting ability; staff said content simply must be channeled through the website administrator while the county improves controls.
Formal motion to adopt the policy passed by a roll-call showing three yes votes. Commissioners said the policy helps ensure accurate public information and protects county systems following prior unauthorized edits.
