Quorum Court to consider Use of AI, Grant Acceptance, and a Budget Amendment October 20th

County officials will consider Use of AI, Grant Acceptance, and a Budget Amendment on Monday night. See below for the agenda, documents, and previous meeting minutes.

The Saline County Quorum Court will meet on Monday, October 20th at 6:00 p.m. in Courtroom #3 upstairs. See the Agenda listed below. Livestream of the meeting will be at www.youtube.com/@salinecounty/streams

Doors will open at 6:00 p.m. Patrons may enter the Courthouse via the Main Street entrance and/or Market St. entrance, which is ADA accessible. There is an elevator to get to the 2nd floor.

Topics on the agenda this time are:

AGENDA

Public Comment: Comments by the public will be allowed for items on the agenda and will take place individually for each item as the quorum court works through the agenda to allow individuals an opportunity to provide input prior to the court’s final decision.

INVOCATION, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, ROLL CALL, APPROVAL OF MINUTES

REPORTS/PROCLAMATIONS

OLD BUSINESS

NEW BUSINESS

Exhibit A:

Ordinance amending the Saline County Personnel Policy Manual as it pertains to the acceptable uses of artificial intelligence and automated decision tools as required under Act 848 of 2025

EMERGENCY ORDINANCE NO. 2025-

BE IT ENACTED BY THE QUORUM COURT OF SALINE COUNTY, STATE OF ARKANSAS, AN ORDINANCE TO BE ENTITLED: “AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 2010-

13 TO AMEND THE SALINE COUNTY PERSONNEL POLICY MANUAL.”

WHEREAS, the Arkansas General Assembly enacted Act 848 of 2025, requiring counties as municipal subdivisions to create an artificial intelligence and automated decision tool policy that defines the authorized use of artificial intelligence and automated decision tools for the County and requires an authorized human employee or designee to make any final decision in the course of his or her employment, regardless of what artificial intelligence or automated decision tool the employee or designee recommends; and

WHEREAS, the Saline County Quorum Court desires to update its personnel policy manual to ensure compliance with Arkansas Law.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED BY THE QUORUM COURT OF SALINE COUNTY, ARKANSAS:

Article 1. Section 40 of the Saline County Personnel Policy entitled “COUNTY

EQUIPMENT AND PROPERTY” is hereby amended to read as follows:

SECTION 40 COUNTY EQUIPMENT, PROPERTY, AND TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES

A. Use of County Equipment and Property

No related information or property, including without limitations, documents, files, records, computer files, equipment, or office supplies may be removed from Saline County premises except in the course of ordinary business. When an employee leaves employment with Saline County, the employee must return all related information and property that the employee has in his/her possession before receiving his/her termination pay.

B. Technology Resources, Artificial Intelligence, and Automated Decision Tool Policy

This policy is established in accordance with Ark. Code Ann. § 25-1-128.

i. Definitions:

“County Technology Resources” is defined as:

The machines, devices, and transmission facilities used in information processing, including computers, word processors, terminals, telephones, cables, software, and

The devices used to process information through electronic capture, collection, storage, manipulation, transmission, retrieval, and presentation of information in the form of data, text, voice, or image and includes telecommunications and office automation functions;

• Any component

information processing and wired

and wireless

telecommunications, including data processing and telecommunications hardware, software, services, planning, personnel, facilities, and training;

The procedures, equipment, and software that are designed, built, operated, and
maintained to collect, record, process, store, retrieve, display, and transmit information, and the associated personnel, including consultants and contractors; and
All electronic mail accounts issued by Saline County.

“Artificial intelligence” is defined as a machine-based system that can, based on a given set of human-defined objectives, make predictions, recommendations, or decisions influencing a real or virtual environment.

“Automated decision tool” is defined as a system or service that uses artificial intelligence and has been specifically developed and marketed, or specifically modified, to make or be a controlling factor in making consequential decisions.

“Employee” is defined as a person employed by Saline County.

“Personally identifiable information” (PII) is defined as information that can be used to distinguish or trace an individual’s identity, either alone or when combined with other information that is linked or linkable to a specific individual.

ii. Artificial intelligence and/or automated decision tools may only be used for the following authorized purposes:

1. Drafting non-confidential documents, presentations, emails, or basic job descriptions:

Summarizing publicly available information;

Automating repetitive, non-sensitive tasks (e.g., scheduling, formatting);
Translating public information into other languages;
Brainstorming or generating ideas for general-use content, provided no sensitive or confidential information is included, be sure to verify no copyrighted information/images are included in your final product.
Assisting with research using public or non-sensitive data sources.

iii. Prohibited uses of artificial intelligence and/or automated decision tools include, but are not limited to:

1. Inputting or exposing personally identifiable information (PIl) (e.g., names. addresses, Social Security numbers, employee IDs, etc.).

2. Disclosing protected health information (PH) or information subject to HIPPA, FMLA, ADA, or similar regulations:

Inputting or exposing confidential information or sealed information related to cases in the county’s courts.

3. Generating or distributing false, misleading, discriminatory, or harassing content;

Using Al for automated interactions with government agencies, vendors, or clients that could be perceived as official without clear disclosure;

Using Al to make or influence decisions involving legal interpretation, personnel actions, eligibility for services, or enforcement actions without human oversight;

Uploading proprietary software code, security configurations, passwords, or system architecture diagrams;

Relying on Al output as a soul source for legal, medical, financial, or compliance advice; and

Using Al to create, reproduce, or distribute content in a way that violates copyright law, including generating material that closely mimics or reproduces copyrighted works without proper rights or attributions.

Inputting or exposing confidential information or sealed information related to cases in the county’s courts.

Generating or distributing false, misleading, discriminatory, or harassing content;

Using Al for automated interactions with government agencies, vendors, or clients that could be perceived as official without clear disclosure;

Using Al to make or influence decisions involving legal interpretation, personnel actions, eligibility for services, or enforcement actions without human oversight;

Uploading proprietary software code, security configurations, passwords, or system architecture diagrams;

Relying on Al output as a soul source for legal, medical, financial, or compliance advice; and

iv. Any use of artificial intelligence or automated decision tool requires an authorized human employee or designee to make any final decisions in the course of his or her employment. regardless of what artificial intelligence or automated decision tool the employee or designee recommends.

v. County technology resources, artificial intelligence, and automated decision tools shall not be used to:

Express a personal political opinion to an elected official unless the opinion is:
Within the scope of the employee’s regular job duties; or
Requested by an elected official or Saline County;
Engage in lobbying an elected official on a personal opinion if the employee is not a registered lobbyist for Saline County;
Engage in illegal activities or activities otherwise prohibited by federal law or state law; or
Intentionally override or avoid the security and system integrity procedures of Saline
County.

Any employee found in violation of this policy may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment. Disciplinary procedures under this Section shall not apply to employee communications made in compliance with the Public Employees’ Political Freedom Act of 1999, Ark. Code Ann. § 21-1-501 et seq. or the Arkansas Whistle-Blower Act, Ark. Code Ann. § 21-1-601 et seq.

Article 2. EMERGENCY CLAUSE: There now exists an immediate need to amend the Saline County Personnel Policy regarding the permissible uses of artificial intelligence and automated decision tools to comply with Act 848 of 2025. Therefore, an emergency is hereby declared to exist, and this Ordinance shall be in full force and effect upon its date of passage.

DATE: October 20, 2025

APPROVED:

MATT BRUMLEY

SALINE COUNTY JUDGE

SPONSOR: JIM WHITLEY, JP DIST. 10

ATTEST:_

DOUG CURTIS

SALINE COUNTY CLERK

Exhibit В:

Resolution authorizing the County Judge to accept a grant award and enter into an award agreement under the Arkansas Historic Preservation Grant Program

RESOLUTION NO. 2025 –

A RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE WILLINGNESS OF SALINE COUNTY TO UTILIZE ARKANSAS HISTORIC PRESERVATION PROGRAM GRANT FUNDS FOR RENOVATIONS TO COUNTY PROPERTY LOCATED AT 123 N. MARKET ST., BENTON, ARKANSAS 72015.

WHEREAS, Saline County has been awarded a grant to fund the replacement of the roof of the “Oddfellows Building,” a Saline County-owned property on the historic register located at 123 N. Market Street, Benton, Arkansas 72015; and

WHEREAS, the grant award is conditioned on the County executing a Historic

Preservation Easement by the Saline County Judge to be heid by the Division of Arkansas Heritage; and

WHEREAS, the Saline County Quorum Court recognizes the need for the project and

supports the efforts to proceed with the project and further recognizes that the County will provide matching funds of 20% of the award total.

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE QUORUM COURT OF THE COUNTY OF SALINE, STATE OF ARKANSAS THAT:

Article 1. Saline County Judge Matt Brumley is hereby authorized and directed to execute all appropriate agreements and is authorized to execute and convey a historic preservation easement as necessary to expedite the construction of the above stated project.

THIS RESOLUTION adopted this 20th day of October, 2025.

APPROVED:

MATT BRUMLEY

SALINE COUNTY JUDGE

SPONSOR: CJ ENGEL, JP DIST. 9

ATTEST:

DOUG CURTIS

SALINE COUNTY CLERK

Exhibit C:

Ordinance amending 2025 budget Ordinance No. 2024-35

APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE NO. 2025 –

BE IT ENACTED BY THE QUORUM COURT OF SALINE COUNTY, STATE OF ARKANSAS, AN ORDINANCE TO BE ENTITLED:

“AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE 2025 SALINE COUNTY BUDGET ORDINANCE NO. 2024-35;

ANTICIPATE REVENUE AND TO APPROPRIATE/TRANSFER FUNDS THEREFORE TO THE VARIOUS BUDGETS; AND, FOR OTHER PURPOSES.”

WHEREAS, the Sheriff’s Department has sold several older vehicles and other equipment they have sold through public auction and received insurance proceeds and requests to appropriate funds received in Fund 1000 – County General Fund, Sheriff Department budget and increase anticipated revenues for the amount received from the sale (Article 1); and,

WHEREAS, the Sheriff requests to appropriate additional funds in Fund 3402 – Sheriff’s 10% Retention Fund for the purchase of additional replacement equipment for use in investigations (Article 2); and

WHEREAS, the Financial Management Department requests to hereby amend Ordinance 2024-35 (the

2025 Budget Ordinance) and transfer monies in the amounts and in the manner set forth below where indicated to have correct and sufficient appropriations for the 2025 budget year in the various funds and department budgets (Article 3); and,

NOW THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED BY THE QUORUM COURT OF SALINE COUNTY, ARKANSAS:

Article 1. That the sum of $8,522.00 is hereby appropriated in Fund 1000 – County General Fund, Sheriff Department budget and anticipated revenues increased as follows:

Line Item

Description

Amount

1000.0400.4005

Capital Outlay-Vehicles

$8,522.00

1000.8711

Sale of Equipment

$8,522.00

Article 2. That the sum of $15,214.00 is hereby appropriated in Fund 3402 – Sheriff’s 10% Retention Fund budget as follows:

Line Item

Description

Amount

1000.0400.4004

Capital Outlay-M&E

$15,214.00

Article 3. That the sum of $1,000,000.00 is transferred in Fund 3046 – County ARPA Fund budget as follows:

Transfer From

Description

Transfer To

Description

Amount

3046.0191.3004

Engineer&Architect

3046.0191.3009

Other Prof Serv $1,000,000.00

Article 4. It is deemed necessary for the smooth operation of Saline County Government that this ordinance be approved.

DATE: OCTOBER 20, 2025

APPROVED

MATT BRUMLEY

SALINE COUNTY JUDGE

SPONSOR: CJ ENGEL, JP DISTRICT #9

ATTEST:

DOUG CURTIS

SALINE COUNTY CLERK

Action Item: Request to increase a 911 Dispatcher new hire from $18.82 per hour to $19.76 per hour due to the years of experience the employee is bringing that adds value to the position

ADD ON

ANNOUNCEMENTS

ADJOURNMENT

See below 👇 for the minutes of the previous meeting.

MEETING MINUTES

SALINE COUNTY QUORUM COURT

MINUTES

SEPTEMBER 15, 2025

The Saline County Quorum Court met on Monday, September 15, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. in ourtroom #3 at the Saline County Courthouse. County Judge Matt Brumley called the meeting t rder. Justice of the Peace lim Whitley gave the invocation and Justice of the Peace C. I. Engel le

Roll call taken with 12 members present. Karen Crowson was not in attendance.

Motion by Rick Bellinger and seconded by Justin Rue to approve the Minutes from the

August 18, 2025 Quorum Court Meeting. Motion passed unanimously by voice vote.

NEW BUSINESS:

The Judge made a motion to read the resolution by title only with no objection.

xhibit “A”: Motion by Carlton Billingsley and seconded by C. J. Engel to approv

Lesolution adopting the Saline County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan. Motion passe unanimously by voice vote. Resolution 2025-8.

The Judge made a motion to read the appointment by title only with no objection.

Exhibit “B”: Motion by Keith Keck and seconded by Pat Bisbee for appointment of James Hunt to the Saline County Library Board with term expiring on June 30, 2030. Motion passed by voice vote. JP Stephanie Johnson voted rio.

Motion by Rick Bellinger and seconded by Josh Curtis to suspend the rules and read title

only of Exhibit “C”. Motion passed unanimously by voice vote.

Exhibit “C”: Motion by C. J. Engel and seconded by Clint Chism to approve Ordinance

amending 2025 budget ordinance No. 2024-35. Roll call vote; motion passed unanimously.

Ordinance 2025-15.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Lick Bellinger; The Great Saline County Cleanup-Fall 2025 will continue with a meeting of

jeptember 27 @ 9:00 a.m. For additional details, see the Saline County website under Events

Judge Brumley; there will be a bond burning ceremony on October 1″ at 10:00 a.m. at the Saline County Career & Technical Campus to celebrate the early satisfaction of the bond for the

ADJOURNMENT:

Judge Brumley adjourned the meeting at 6:17 without objection.

See the list of the events in Saline County, at www.mysaline.com/events