Williams County commissioners adopt electronic-signature policy for county documents

The Williams County Board of Commissioners voted April 28 to add an Electronic Signatures section to the county Personnel Policy and Procedure Manual, formalizing the use of electronic signatures for county business.

County staff told commissioners the policy was drafted during a prior manual review but was never incorporated into the manual. A county staff member explained, “People are using an electronic signature, we just don't have a policy granting them that authority,” and said the proposed Section 6.20 provides guidance and approval for departments to execute documents electronically when required by external partners such as the state.

Commissioner Bartley E. Westfall moved to adopt the revision; Commissioner Scott A. Lirot seconded. The board recorded two yes votes (Westfall and Lirot); Commissioner Terry N. Rummel was recorded as not present. The resolution adopting Section 6.20 (Resolution 26-0219) carried.

Staff said the policy has been reviewed for compliance and that an internal reviewer named Jeremy had examined it and found it acceptable. The resolution directs each appointing authority to update previously issued personnel manuals to incorporate the new section and instructs departments to include the policy for future signings.

The action brings written county policy into alignment with existing practice and should clear procedural uncertainty when the county is asked to sign grant agreements or other documents electronically. Departments are expected to update their handbooks to reflect the new Section 6.20; the resolution did not specify an implementation deadline.