Detailed contracts no longer attached to online agendas
GEORGETOWN — Williamson County commissioners Tuesday approved new security measures to stop artificial-intelligence scams officials said are becoming a big problem for local government.
Commissioners Jan. 13 voted to enhance and increase cyber-security procedures and practices related to public-meeting notices — including no longer attaching detailed contracts to online agendas.
Richard Semple, the county’s chief information officer, said the county is victim to scams on a daily basis, adding a primary source of the information used in the rackets comes from public-meeting notices.
“(They) try to extort money from the county to try to steal equipment, to change payment information and gain illicit funds from taxpayers,” Semple said.
According to officials, elaborate, AI-powered attacks use the names of county employees or companies that contract with the government and then craft emails or make phone calls trying to reroute equipment or change banking information.
“These are very real threats that we face every day. We’ve been fortunate through the diligence of our staff that we have not fallen victim to any of these,” Semple said, adding protective measures consume the staff’s time and effort. Semple recommended that contracts not be directly attached to the online agendas.
“As a public entity, we want to be transparent,” he said, adding that contracts will be available through the public information process.
“This is a step we don’t take lightly, but we feel it’s in the best interest of the community to not have that information be available to AI tools but still be available to anyone that wants to see it,” Semple added.
Precinct 3 Commissioner Valerie Covey agreed.
“None of us like this. It goes against what open government is all about, but the risk to the county is greater,” Covey said.
The information is still public in hardcopy form and commissioners can help anyone having trouble getting access, she added.
County Judge Steven Snell noted agendas are posted 5 p.m. Wednesdays before the following Tuesday court session, so there is time for residents to view the information prior to the next meeting.
“We are also going to continue to explore options for how we can protect ourselves but make as much information available as possible. This is certainly not the end of the discussion,” Snell said.
Semple noted agendas will still contain information about what businesses or entities the county contracts with and the contract amounts, but details such as contact information will be removed.
In other business, commissioners approved a request from the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office to apply for a $40,000 Texas Department of Transportation FY2027 Selective Traffic Enforcement Program grant.
The program uses data to target highcrash areas and problematic auto zones while also reimbursing local law enforcement for overtime work.
The grant requires a 20% match from the county.
Commissioners also approved a license agreement between the Williamson County Livestock Association and the Williamson County Expo Center, 5350 Bill Pickett Trail in Taylor, to hold a youth rodeo.
Commissioners will next meet at 9:30 a.m. Jan. 27, at 710 S. Main St.
Sessions can also be viewed online at wilcotx.gov/331/ Commissioners- Court.
There is no meeting Jan. 20 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday.
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“These are very real threats that we face every day.”
— Richard Semple, Williamson County chief information officer
