Calhoun County adopts AI workplace policy, limits generative use to Microsoft 365 Copilot

The Calhoun County Board of Commissioners on June 18 approved a new Artificial Intelligence Workplace Use policy intended to provide employee training and security guardrails for county staff.

County Administrator/Controller Kelli Scott told the board the policy "will offer training for employees and place guardrails for security purposes," and said it was drafted by an internal AI workgroup in consultation with elected officials, union leaders, department heads and the courts. IT Systems Operations Manager Austin Fraley described the policy's three pillars as "awareness, training, and safety."

The policy limits county employee use of generative AI to Microsoft 365 Copilot. When Commissioner Matt Saxton asked why the county is restricting generative tools to that product, Fraley said the county has a government license with Microsoft and that "data is stored securely in the government cloud/servers."

Commissioners voted to adopt the policy (Res.077-2026). The vote was taken by roll call; the transcript records the five present commissioners casting votes and two commissioners excused. The resolution text and policy document were moved forward by commissioners as presented.

Supporters on the dais said the policy balances innovation with privacy and security. The transcript records no substantive amendments during the meeting. Public commenters at Citizens' Time raised both support for guardrails and broader concerns about how data-center projects and AI use may affect public health and privacy; those comments were heard separately during the meeting's public-comment periods.

The policy now stands as county workplace guidance; the transcript does not specify an implementation date or details about training cadence beyond the general pillars discussed at the meeting.