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Port Orchard staff present draft AI policy; committee opts for a work study before council action
Summary
City IT staff briefed the finance committee on a cross‑department draft AI policy that includes human‑in‑the‑loop rules, data‑labeling guidance and an acquisition/vetting process; the committee requested a work‑study session for detailed Q&A before a council vote.
PORT ORCHARD — IT staff presented a draft employee AI policy to the finance committee on Feb. 17 that would establish a human‑in‑the‑loop standard, acquisition and vetting steps for vendors, and training to limit bias and inadvertent public‑records exposure.
Sean said an AI committee of cross‑department staff worked through drafts during 2025, and the policy subcommittee produced a December draft that went to HR and legal for review. "Our policy objectives were these: establish a clear AI framework, transparency and accountability, responsible innovation, tech security," he said. Sean emphasized that the draft requires staff to review AI‑generated products for correctness before publication and that sensitive or confidential material should not be fed into AI systems.
Sean also said the city currently has Microsoft Copilot enabled under existing licensing and that staff block other nonapproved AI services on the city network; HR staff recommended training that includes anti‑bias content. Committee members urged strong risk assessments for adding AI tools and asked staff to present the 20‑page acquisition/vetting guidelines at a work‑study session so members can review and ask detailed questions.
Separately, staff previewed a one‑year pilot to make an optional AI plan‑review tool available to the public via a website link (the tool would be provided by a Kirkland vendor and used at residents' own risk). The committee favored a work study before any full council action and asked staff to circulate the draft policy and guidelines in advance.
