COUNTY ADMINISTRATION OFFICE - R. ESPINOSA

Approve County Social Media Policies and direct Clerk of the Board to make the Social Media Policies Part of the County Administrative Manual as appropriate.

SBC FILE NUMBER: 119

Over the last several months administrative staff has worked with IT and select Departments, including Elections and the Office of Emergency Services, to develop social media use policies for the County of San Benito. 

These policies will provide guidance for all coordinators and users and the security features necessary to successfully implement social media use throughout the County on approved networks and forums.

The following policies have been created and provided for Board review, applicable edits, and approval:

1.       P2016-05-000: General Policies

a.       Provides definitions and general policies

2.       P2016-05-001:Participation Guidelines

3.       P2016-05-002: Approved Media Networks

4.       P2016-05-003: Social Media Disclaimer Policy

5.       P2016-05-004: Appropriateness of Content

6.       P2016-05-005: Social Media Comment Policy

7.       P2016-05-006: Social Media Linking Policy

Together these policies should resolve concerns from IT and the CAO regarding two-way and one-way communication and network security. Through department work plans and required coordination with IT, Legal, and the CAO, the intent of social media in individual departments will provide a well-managed opportunity to better inform the public regarding County operations, programs, services, and events. 

Training will be provided using free online training from companies like Facebook, and other social media training providers. Administration is coordinating with staff to research the best free training modules and/or developing internal training modules for setup and maintenance of such accounts and security tips for social media use throughout the County. At this time, social media will only be managed by unrepresented classes (such as confidential, confidential management and Department Heads), as use with other represented classes would require notice to Unions.

It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:

1. Approve the Social Media Policies; and
2. Direct the Clerk of the Board to make the social media policies part of the County Administrative Manual, as appropriate; and
3. Direct Administration and/or IT to receive feedback from Departments electing to use social media to determine how effective the policies have been and how to improve them for the future.
4. Authorize the CAO to make modifications to these policies, as necessary, and authorize broader participation after initial period of with selected departments and employees.