From: Date: Subject:
Background:
Webster Town Board Kelsey Feeney, PHR, Director of Human Resources February 13, 2026 Town of Webster Artificial Intelligence Policy 524 (Page 500-29)
In 2025, the Town of Webster began researching establishing a policy related to the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Due to the rapidly growing significance of AI technologies in local government, Supervisor Scialdone has urged the importance of developing of an Artificial Intelligence policy. In January 2026, he met with me, Communications Director Bridget Harvey, Information Technologies Director Steve Peace, and Town Attorney Kyle Taylor to initiate an AI policy. We discussed the importance of having a consistent, Townwide policy to ensure all departments are following the same standards. Following the meeting, I took the lead on drafting an AI policy to be incorporated into Webster’s Employee Handbook with the intention of bringing it to the Town Board for approval. Summary of Proposed AI Policy:
Employees are allowed to use Microsoft Copilot as it stores all the data within the Town’s Microsoft 365 tenant boundary, provided they are logged into their Town account. For any other AI tools, an employee must request permission from their department head stating the intended use and expected benefit. If approved by the department head, the department head will forward the request to the Information Technologies department. If approved by both parties, the employee is eligible to use the requested AI tool. If denied by either party, the employee will receive notification why it was denied. If the denial can be resolved, the employee can submit a corrected request.
Employees may not enter sensitive information such as passwords, names, dates of birth, social security numbers, addresses, banking information, or any other data that could pose a risk to the Town if disclosed. Employees are responsible for reviewing and validating all AI-generated content. AI should not be permitted to make a final decision without independent human oversight. The use of AI should be clearly disclosed when AI creates the final product. The use of AI as a tool for research, summarizing and brainstorming does not require disclosure. Recommendation:
I respectfully recommend that the Town Board adopt Artificial Intelligence Policy 524. If approved by the Town Board, employees will be notified of the new policy so everyone is operating under the same expectations and standard