Finance staff cite GovSense/OpenGov gains, audit success and AI security limits

County finance staff reviewed operational improvements and technology limits during the budget presentation, highlighting GovSense saved searches, monthly reconciliations, and an online OpenGov budget book that reduces manual entry and speeds reporting.

Unidentified Speaker 1 said saved searches "tell right now Karen and Mary are the 2 that get those so when a transaction is entered that it could create an issue, they can look at it and catch it before it's even been approved and entered." She said those controls and process improvements helped the county complete audits early this year with no findings.

The committee also discussed limits imposed by IT on certain AI tools. The presenter raised Microsoft Copilot for Excel and said the county currently lacks access because of concerns that Copilot can capture screenshots, creating a potential HIPAA exposure. "It captures screenshots... they're concerned because of HIPAA, potential HIPAA violations," the presenter said. Supervisors urged IT and finance staff to work together to find a secure approach so staff can use productivity tools where appropriate.

Staff also noted an upcoming (no-cost to the county) assessment from local firm SMG to review technology and recommend efficiencies; purchasing of that assessment was described as not requiring a county budget allocation for the scheduled review.

Next steps include continued coordination between IT and finance on secure tool use and the SMG assessment to identify efficiency opportunities.