Policy & Governance staff asked the board to reestablish the county’s Technology/Information Council, originally formed in 2013, to provide oversight and training for a new records‑retention policy and to coordinate cross‑office technology needs.

The presenter said the council would help implement a long‑overdue records‑retention policy, offer training to elected officials’ offices, and provide oversight for data‑center and phone‑system decisions. The resolution before the board amends language from the 2013 council so the director of information technology can serve as an ex‑officio member without a vote.

Commissioners appointed representatives for the council during the meeting. Examples recorded in the meeting: Brandy Mertens was designated as a primary appointee with Katie Arata as backup; Butch Freeman named Chuck Jolly as his primary with a backup to be provided later; the sheriff’s office listed David Baysden as primary and Tim Melton as alternate; the assessor’s appointments included Mike Morrison and Brian Hutchins; the presenter said the council could be in place by Dec. 1 and begin meeting in the new year to implement policy and review technology needs.

The board approved placing the council back on the BOCC agenda with member appointments to enable prompt formation and training across elected offices.