Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the It Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Gates County moves to adopt IT acceptable use policy to meet new state law deadline
Summary
The board agreed to proceed with a first reading of an information technology acceptable-use policy required by new state legislation that bans viewing explicit material on county-controlled devices, with a Jan. 1, 2025 implementation deadline.
County Manager Scott Sauer told the Gates County Board of Commissioners on Dec. 2 that the North Carolina General Assembly adopted legislation this year (referred to in the meeting as "State Law 2024-26") requiring public agencies to prohibit employees, elected officials and appointees from viewing sexually explicit material on devices owned, leased or controlled by public agencies.
Sauer presented a proposed information technology systems acceptable-use policy prepared by county staff and counsel. He said the statute's compliance date is Jan. 1, 2025, and the board had the option to take additional time to review the policy before final adoption; several commissioners said they preferred to move forward immediately so Gates County can meet the state deadline.
Commissioner discussion focused on timing and the complexity of the policy language. One commissioner noted that the board is scheduled to meet again Dec. 11 and that the board could take action then. Sauer and other commissioners agreed the county had time to act on Dec. 11 but the board ultimately voted on Dec. 2 to advance the policy (first reading/proceed to adopt) so staff could finalize implementation before the statutory deadline.
The motion to move forward with the IT acceptable-use policy passed by voice vote. Staff said they will finalize the written policy, circulate it to commissioners, and prepare for required implementation on or before Jan. 1, 2025.
