Privacy Policy – Muskingum County Auditor

The Muskingum County Auditor respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy outlines how information is collected, used, and protected when accessing our website, https://muskingum-county-auditors.org, and when interacting with the Auditor’s office. We manage property and financial records for the county, and our goal is to provide transparency while safeguarding personal data.

We collect limited personal information to respond to inquiries, provide property and financial information, and support public record requests. This includes information such as names, email addresses, mailing addresses, and property details submitted through official forms. Our office only collects information necessary to perform these functions and to maintain accurate public records.

Information Collection

The Muskingum County Auditor collects information in several ways:

  • Direct Submissions: When residents submit inquiries via email at info@muskingum-county-auditors.org or through online forms, we collect the information provided to respond accurately.
  • Property Records: Property ownership, tax information, and assessed values are collected from public and legal records to maintain accurate property assessments.
  • Financial Records: County financial information, including revenue, expenditures, and tax collection data, is recorded and maintained to ensure transparency and accountability.
  • Website Usage Data: We may collect limited data on website usage, including IP addresses, browser types, and pages visited. This data helps improve website performance and user experience.

Use of Information

The information collected by the Muskingum County Auditor is used for specific purposes:

  • Responding to inquiries regarding property ownership, tax statements, or county finances
  • Maintaining and updating accurate property records
  • Ensuring financial transparency and accurate reporting of county funds
  • Supporting county administration in managing public resources

Personal information is not shared, sold, or used for marketing purposes. All data is handled with care to protect residents’ privacy while maintaining the public nature of county records.

Public Records and Accessibility

Certain property and financial information is considered public records. The Muskingum County Auditor is responsible for maintaining these records and making them accessible to the public as required by Ohio law. Publicly available information may include:

  • Property ownership and assessed values
  • Tax statements and payment history
  • County financial reports and revenue records

While public records are accessible, any personal information submitted through email or forms will remain confidential unless disclosure is required by law.

Data Protection

The Muskingum County Auditor takes the security of personal information seriously. Measures are in place to protect data from unauthorized access, alteration, or loss. These measures include:

  • Secure storage of electronic and physical records
  • Restricted access to sensitive data
  • Regular monitoring of systems to prevent unauthorized access

While no system is completely immune to risks, the Auditor’s office is committed to maintaining high standards of security to protect the information entrusted to us.

Cookies and Tracking

Our website may use cookies to improve user experience. Cookies are small text files stored on your device that help enhance website performance and usability. This forms part of our cookies policy, and the collected data may include anonymous information about website navigation, such as pages visited or time spent on the site. This information is used to improve the website structure and content, ensuring users can access property and financial information quickly and efficiently. No personally identifiable information is collected through cookies.

Third-Party Links

The Muskingum County Auditor website may contain links to external websites. While we provide these links for convenience, the Auditor’s office does not control external sites and is not responsible for their privacy practices. Residents are encouraged to review the privacy policies of any linked websites before providing personal information.

Legal Compliance

The Muskingum County Auditor complies with all federal and Ohio state laws regarding the collection, use, and protection of personal information. Information may be disclosed as required by law, court order, or other legal processes. This includes requests for property or financial records under public records laws.

User Rights

Residents have the right to request information regarding the personal data collected by the Auditor’s office. Requests can be made via email at info@muskingum-county-auditors.org. We provide assistance to:

  • Verify personal information submitted to the office
  • Update or correct property or contact information
  • Clarify the use of collected data

The office responds to all inquiries promptly and ensures transparency in the handling of personal information.

Communication and Emails

When residents contact the Muskingum County Auditor via email, the information provided is used only to respond to questions, provide property and financial information, or address public record requests. Emails are stored securely and are not used for marketing or promotional purposes. We advise residents to provide accurate contact information when submitting inquiries to ensure correct and timely responses.

Data Retention

The Muskingum County Auditor retains information as required for administrative, legal, and public record purposes. Property and financial records are maintained for official county operations and to comply with Ohio state laws. Information submitted via email or forms is stored only as long as necessary to respond to inquiries or fulfill official duties. Outdated or unnecessary data is securely deleted or archived according to county records retention policies.

Children’s Privacy

The Muskingum County Auditor website is not intended for children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If a parent or guardian believes that personal information of a child has been submitted, they may contact us at info@muskingum-county-auditors.org to request removal.

Changes to Privacy Policy

The Muskingum County Auditor may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in regulations, county practices, or website functions. Any updates will be posted on our website. Residents are encouraged to review the Privacy Policy regularly to stay informed about how information is managed and protected.

Contact Information

For any questions regarding this Privacy Policy, data collection, or the handling of personal information, residents can contact the Muskingum County Auditor office at:

Email: info@muskingum-county-auditors.org
Website: https://muskingum-county-auditors.org