Privacy Policy

Sites Covered by This Statement

This Privacy Policy covers the collection and use of data on the Douglas County (www.douglascountywi.org) website and any affiliated sites or applications (“Sites(s)”) managed by Douglas County. 

Public Disclosure

The State of Wisconsin has laws that ensure that government is open and that the public has a right to access appropriate records and information in local governments’ possession.  At the same time, there are exceptions to the public’s right to access public records provided by both state and federal laws.  These exceptions include the privacy of individuals.  Any information collected at this site becomes public record and may be subject to inspection and copying by the public unless an exception in the law exists.  For further information on this particular issue, please see Wis. Stats. §19.35 and §19.36.  In the event of conflict between this Privacy Notice and the Wisconsin Public Records Law or other law governing the disclosure of records, the Wisconsin Public Records Law or other applicable law will control. 

Personal Information

“Personally Identifiable Information” is information about an individual that is readily identifiable to that specific individual.   

No personally identifiable information will be collected from you unless you voluntarily participate in an activity that asks for information (e.g. sending an e-mail, requesting to receive newsletters or other information, participating in an online survey, registering for an activity, or performing online payments, permits, or licensing).  Any personal information provided may be protected by state law and the Federal Privacy Act of 1974.  However, this information will be considered a public record once you provide it and may be subject to the public records law. 

“Non-Personally Identifiable Information” refers to information that does not by itself identify a specific individual.  The non-personally identifiable data we collect when you visit our Site(s) may include the Uniform Resource Locator (URL) of the pages you visit on our Site(s) and our Internet Protocol (IP) address. 

We do not connect the Personally Identifiable Information and the Non-Personally Identifiable Information we collect on our Site(s). 

The Information We Collect

The types of Personally Identifiable Information collected can include:

• Personal and/or business names
• Addresses
• Email addresses
• Telephone numbers
• Fax numbers
• Specific information to describe a complaint or request information
• Location
• Photos
• Licensing credentials
• Credit/Debit card information
• Parking ticket identification numbers
• Citation numbers
• Permit identifications
• Identification numbers

The primary reason that we collect and maintain this information is to serve you and administer the activities and services provided by the county that you have requested.  The information may not be limited to text characters, but may include video, audio or graphic formats you provide to us.  The information is retained in accordance with the Wisconsin Public Records Law. 

We use Non-Personally Identifiable Information on an aggregated basis to help us understand how visitors use our Site(s) and to measure interest in the various pages.  We use this information to improve the content of our Site(s) and to make our Site(s) easier to use. 

The Way We Use Information

Information you provide over one or more of the internet services on www.douglascountywi.org or the county’s mobile applications are used only for the purpose designated and is then provided to the appropriate county department.  

Access to your personal data by third parties 

  The following third parties have access to your personal data, where relevant: 

• Professional services and IT suppliers such as website administrators and application developers serving the county.

Password Information 

Usernames and passwords may be required to access an online service offered by Douglas County.  No representative of the county will request a user to reveal their username, password or PIN, nor with this information be shared with or disclosed to any other person unless required to do so by law.  However, online systems may offer the built-in capability to securely assist users who have lost or forgotten their PIN or password. 

Credit Card Information

The actual transmission of your payment information over the Internet is at its safest when your Web browser can make an encrypted connection, and for your protection, we will only process your request if you can make such a connection.  You can verify this by looking for the closed lock icon.  If you have trouble with the encrypted connection, your computer, Web browser, or internet connection cannot support SSL (Secure Socket Layer), then you’ll want to contact us to complete your order or request.  

Douglas County acknowledges your trust and is committed to protecting the information you provide us.  To prevent unauthorized access, maintain accuracy and ensure proper use of information, we have employed physical, electronic, and managerial processes to safeguard and secure the information we collect online. 

Email

Email messages sent to any Douglas County address or other electronic communications sent to the county will be treated the same as any other form of written communication and will be maintained in accordance with the Public Records law. 

Links

The Douglas County website contains links to other third-party websites for your convenience.  We do not endorse or otherwise accept responsibility for the content or privacy policies of those third-party sites.  We suggest that you carefully review the privacy policies of each site you visit.   This Privacy Policy does not cover the information practices of those third-party websites linked to our Site(s).  

Changes to This Statement 

If there are changes or additions to the terms of this Privacy Policy, we will post those changes on our web site so that you will always know what information we collect online, how we use it, and what choices you have.  Please be sure to check this page before proceeding to use our Site(s).   Regardless of any changes we make to our Privacy Policy, we will always use your personally Identifiable Information in accordance with the version of the Statement in place at the time you provided your information, unless you give your express consent for us to do otherwise. 

Adopted March 16, 2023 (Resolution #15-23)