1819ORDINANCE NO. 1819 (# 14-2026)
AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING AN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE POLICY FOR THE
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE IN COMPLIANCE WITH ACT 848 OF 2025; AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES.
WHEREAS, Act 848 of2025 , enacted by the Arkansas General Assembly and codified at
Ark. Code Ann. § 25-1-128 et. seq., requires all public entities , including municipalities , to adopt
a policy concerning the authorized use of artificial intelligence (AI) and automated decision tools;
and
WHEREAS, the Act defines AI as a machine-based system that can , based on a given set
of human-defined objectives , make predictions , recommendations , or decisions influencing real or
virtual environments and it defines Automated Decision Tool as a system or service that uses AI
and has been specifically developed and marketed , or specifically modified , to make or to be a
controlling factor in making consequential decisions; and
WHEREAS, the Act mandates that final decisions involving AI must be made by a human
employee; and
WHEREAS , Section (d) of Act 848 specifically prohibits the use of AI and automated
decision tools by public employees; and
WHEREAS , the Act further requires municipalities to provide employee training on the
AI policy and to establish disciplinary procedures for violations of the policy ; and
WHEREAS , the Arkansas Municipal League has made free training resources available
to assist municipalities in complying with Act 848 ;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS:
SECTION ONE: The City hereby adopts the attached Artificial Intelligence Policy ,
which defines the authorized use of AI and automated decision tools by city employees.
SECTION TWO: The policy requires that all consequential decisions
involving AI tools must be reviewed and finalized by a human employee or authorized
designee.
SECTION THREE: The policy includes a prohibition on the use of AI and automated
decision tools for the following purposes, as required by Section (d) of Act 848 of 2025:
• Expressing 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 public entity; or
• Engaging in lobbying an elected official on a personal opinion if the employee is a
not a registered lobbyist for the city ;
• Engaging in illegal activities or activities otherwise prohibited by federal law or
state law ;
ORDINANCE NO. 1819 (#14-2026)
Page Two
• Intentionally overriding or avoiding the cybersecurity or system integrity
procedures of the City.
SECTION FOUR: All city employees may complete a free training on the AI policy ,
as provided by the Arkansas Municipal League or other approved sources prior to using AI on city
business or city equipment.
SECTION FIVE: Violations of the policy may result in disciplinary action.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS 2 N° DAY OF JULY, 2026.
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS
ATTEST:
ORDINANCE NO. 1819 (#14-2026)
Page Three
CITY OF JACKSONVILLE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE POLICY
1. PURPOSE
This policy establishes guidelines for the authorized and prohibited use of artificial intelligence
(AI) and automated decision tools by employees and contractors of the City of Jacksonville
(hereinafter the City), in compliance with Act 848 of 2025 , the same being Ark. Code Ann. § 25-
1-128.
2. DEFINITIONS
• Artificial Intelligence (AI): A machine-based system that, based on human-defined
objectives, can make predictions, recommendations, or decisions influencing real or virtual
environments.
• Automated Decision Tool: A system or service that uses AI and has been specifically
developed and marketed, or specifically modified, to make or to be a controlling factor in
making consequential decisions.
• Employee: Any person employed by the City .
3. AUTHORIZED USE
• AI and automated decision tools may be used to enhance efficiency , accuracy , and service
delivery in city operations.
• All consequential decisions involving AI tools must be reviewed and finalized by a human
employee or authorized designee .
• AI tools must not be used to make autonomous decisions without human oversight.
4. PROHIBITED USE
In accordance with Section (d) of Act 848 , AI and automated decision tools shall not be used by
city employees to:
• Express personal political opinions to elected officials unless within the scope of the
employee's job duties or upon request by an elected official or public entity;
• Engage in lobbying an elected official on a personal opinion if the employee is not a
registered lobbyist for the city ;
• Engage in illegal activities or activities otherwise prohibited by federal or state law;
• Intentionally override or avoid the security and system integrity procedures of the city.
5. PROTECTING PERSONAL INFORMATION
Employees must never input Personally Identifiable Information (PII) into AI tools. This includes ,
but is not limited to:
• Full names of individuals
• Social Security numbers
• Driver's license or ID numbers
• Home addresses or phone numbers
• Email addresses
• Medical or financial records
• Employee or student ID numbers
• Photos of individuals without consent
ORDINANCE NO. 1819 (#14-2026)
Page Four
6. TRAINING
• All employees using or interacting with AI tools must complete training on AI and this
policy prior to using AI on city business or equipment. OR All employees are strongly
encouraged to attend training on Act 1848 and the proper use of AI prior to using AI on
city business or equipment.
• Training shall be provided through the Arkansas Municipal League 's ACE HUB AI
Training or other approved sources.
7. DISCIPLINARY ACTION
Violations of this policy may result in disciplinary action , up to and including termination, in
accordance with the City 's personnel policies and procedures.
8. ACKNOWLEDGMENT
I acknowledge that I have read and understood the Artificial Intelligence Policy. I agree to follow
all rules , responsibilities , and guidelines outlined in the policy , including the appropriate and
ethical use of artificial intelligence tools. I understand that violations of this policy and/or failure
to comply with this policy may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination .
EMPLOYEE SIGNATURE DATE