Washington County (hereinafter “the County”) created this Privacy Statement to demonstrate its commitment to privacy. Due to the sensitive nature of the user information collected, the County believes it is important to satisfy strict privacy requirements. This Privacy Statement describes the type of information collected, the primary purposes for collecting user information, the security measures taken to protect user privacy, state and federal privacy protection laws, data accuracy and access, remedies for violation of Privacy Statement, and contact information.
Information Collected
The County will collect and store user information related to any electronic payment transaction on it’s web site. This information may include the user’s name, billing address, email address, telephone number(s), demographic information, parcel(s) paid, checking account number, checking account routing numbers, IP address, and cookies.
An IP address is an Internet Protocol address, which is a unique string of numbers that identifies a particular computer on the Internet. A cookie is data that is stored on your computer’s hard drive. This data allows your browser to communicate with our Web Servers.
Purpose for Collecting User Information
The County collects and stores user information to improve the content of the Web services offered, to understand how our services are used, to provide an efficient and effective online forum for property tax payments, to contact the user when necessary, and to maintain an accurate property tax record system. Unique identifiers (such as social security numbers or tax identification numbers) may be collected to verify the user’s identity. Except for the user’s IP address and cookies, the user must voluntarily participate in an activity that asks for such information.
The County will use IP address to help diagnose problems with its server and to administer this Web site. IP address and cookie information may be used to help identify you and to track activity within this Web site. Cookie information may also be collected to offer faster responses or help to customize user sessions because information is retained so you do not have to re-enter information every time you visit this Website.
This information will be transmitted to the County Treasurer via a secure (128 bit SSL encrypted) connection. Banking regulations require that both the Treasurer’s and taxpayer’s banks keep and maintain a record of the electronic transaction should there be a need for inquiry in the future.
Failure to provide the requested information or to prohibit use of the IP address or cookie will result in denial of access to this electronic payment service.
THE COUNTY WILL NOT SELL, LEASE, PUBLISH, RELEASE, OR OTHERWISE MAKE AVAILABLE TO ANY INDIVIDUALS OR BUSINESSES THE USERS’ PERSONAL, FINANCIAL, OR DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION GATHERED FROM THOSE USERS UTILIZING THE ELECTRONIC PAYMENT OPTION.
Security
The County has reasonable security measures in place to protect the loss, misuse and alteration of the information under its control. Encryption is of the highest quality and standard available. Security is monitored and audited on a routine basis. Even with advanced technologies, it is not always possible to prevent unauthorized access. IF THERE IS UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS, THE COUNTY ASSUMES NO LIABILITY FOR LOSS(ES) OR DAMAGES EXPERIENCED BY USERS
Because all user data is stored on the County’s servers, the user may request, via email or telephone, additional information about the County’s security practices. The requested security information will be made available to the user via email, fax or postal mail.
THIS INFORMATION SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED IN ANY WAY AS GIVING BUSINESS, LEGAL, OR OTHER ADVICE, OR WARRANTING AS FAIL PROOF, THE SECURITY OF THE USER INFORMATION PROVIDED. THE COUNTY ASSUMES NO LIABILITY FOR LOSS(ES) OR DAMAGES EXPERIENCED BY USERS. This site contains links to other sites. This includes links to Web sites operated by other government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and private businesses. THE COUNTY IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PRIVACY PRACTICES, SECURITY, OR THE CONTENT OF SUCH WEB SITES
The County has a responsibility to protect its resources. If the County believes a user is trying to access without authorization or attempting to destroy, damage, or violate the County systems, the County may use the information in its logs to find those responsible and proceed with applicable criminal charges.
State and Federal Law
The information collected on this site is public record and may be subject to public inspection and copying if not protected by federal or state law. Federal and state laws exist to ensure that the government is open and that the public has a right to access appropriate records and information possessed by the government. At the same time, there are limitations to the public’s right to access public records that serve various needs including the privacy of individuals. As a result, federal and state privacy laws apply, including the Governmental Records Access and Management Act (hereinafter “GRAMA”) UTAH CODE ANN. * 63-2-101 et seq., to this Privacy Statement when appropriate.
Data Accuracy & Access
This site information is compiled and made available as a public service by the County. However, the County, including any agency, officer, or employee, makes no warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of the information and is not responsible for any errors, omissions, or for results obtained from the use of the information. Any person or entity that relies on any information obtained from this system does so at his or her own risk.
The user can only review information collected about himself or herself. The user may review and suggest any corrections of inaccuracies in user information by submitting a written request to the County. The user can also contact the County about any concerns that the user’s information is being used for a purpose other than what was intended when submitted. In all cases, we take reasonable steps to verify your identity before granting access or making corrections.
THE COUNTY IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR INACCURACIES IN DATA PROVIDED BY THIRD PARTIES, SUCH AS CREDIT REPORTING BUREAUS.
Remedies for Violation
If the County violates the provisions in this Privacy Statement, the affected users have a remedy which is correction of the error or correction of any misinformation, and cessation of such practices.
To enforce the provisions in the Privacy Statement, the user must first submit a request in writing to the County. The County will then determine whether the specific provision has been violated. If the user is not satisfied with the County’s decision, the user may pursue any applicable legal remedies under federal or state law to enforce the Privacy Statement provision(s).