At the Sumter County Property Appraiser’s Office, we respect your privacy and are committed to maintaining the security and confidentiality of any personal information collected through our website. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website or interact with our digital services.
We aim to provide transparency and ensure compliance with applicable local, state, and federal laws, including Florida’s Government-in-the-Sunshine Law and the Florida Public Records Law.
Scope of the Policy
This Privacy Policy applies to all users of the Sumter County Property Appraiser’s official website (https://sumterpa.com) and to all data collected through its web-based tools, email correspondence, and contact forms. This policy does not apply to information collected offline or via third-party websites that may be linked from our site.
Information We Collect
To provide effective, secure, and transparent services to the public, the Sumter County Property Appraiser’s Office collects certain types of information from users who visit our website or interact with our office online. This includes both personally identifiable information voluntarily submitted through online forms, as well as technical data automatically gathered to help us analyze website usage and improve user experience. We are committed to collecting only the information necessary to fulfill our legal duties and support our mission of serving the residents of Sumter County efficiently and responsibly.
a. Personally Identifiable Information (PII)
We collect personally identifiable information that you voluntarily provide through online forms or direct communication, including but not limited to:
- Full name
- Physical address
- Email address
- Telephone number
- Parcel number or property identification details
- Specific information related to your inquiry or application (e.g., for exemptions, public records, or property disputes)
This information is typically gathered when:
- You fill out a contact or exemption form
- You subscribe to updates or newsletters
- You submit a public records request
- You contact us via email or telephone
b. Non-Personal Information
We also automatically collect data that does not identify you personally, such as:
- IP address
- Browser type and version
- Device type
- Operating system
- Referring website
- Pages visited and time spent on the site
- Date and time of access
This data is used to analyze website performance, improve user experience, and maintain cybersecurity.
How We Use the Information
The information we collect is used solely for governmental and administrative functions. Specific uses include:
- Responding to public inquiries and service requests
- Processing exemption applications and ownership changes
- Fulfilling public records requests
- Improving the accuracy and delivery of property-related data
- Conducting analytics to improve web functionality
- Ensuring legal and policy compliance
- Providing secure, user-focused digital services
We do not sell or rent your personal data to third parties. Any disclosure of information is made in strict compliance with Florida public records laws.
Public Records Disclosure
Florida law requires that most communications with government agencies be made available to the public upon request. As a government office, the Sumter County Property Appraiser complies with Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes (Florida Public Records Law).
Important Note:
If you do not want your email address or any written communication released in response to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to this office. Instead, contact us by phone or in writing.
Use of Cookies and Analytics
Our website may use “cookies” and third-party analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics) to enhance your browsing experience and gather usage statistics.
Cookies Help Us:
- Remember user preferences
- Track user behavior across the site
- Measure website traffic and performance
You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site may not function properly without them.
Third-Party Links and External Sites
Our website may contain links to other government and non-government websites for your convenience and reference. Please be aware that we are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of these external sites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of each site you visit.
Data Protection and Security
We take data security seriously and employ a combination of technical, physical, and administrative safeguards to help protect your information from unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction.
Measures Include:
- Firewalls and intrusion detection systems
- Encrypted communications (SSL/TLS)
- Secure servers and password-protected databases
- Staff training on data privacy practices
However, please note that no method of transmission over the Internet or method of electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your personal information, we cannot guarantee its absolute security.
Children’s Privacy
Our website is not directed to children under the age of 13, nor do we knowingly collect any personally identifiable information from children. If we become aware that we have collected personal data from a child without parental consent, we will take steps to remove that information from our servers immediately.
Your Rights and Choices
As a user, you have the right to:
- Request access to public records
- Inquire about how your data is used
- Opt-out of any communications (if applicable)
- Submit corrections if any publicly available data is incorrect
- Appeal property valuations or request reassessments
If you wish to exercise any of these rights, please contact our office directly.
Updates to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect legal changes, technological advancements, or improvements to our data handling practices. Any changes will be posted to this page, along with the updated effective date.
Your continued use of our website constitutes your acknowledgment of and agreement to the current version of this Privacy Policy.
Contact Us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, need clarification about how your information is handled, or wish to file a concern regarding data protection, please use the contact details below:
Sumter County Property Appraiser
403 Market Street
Bushnell, Florida 33513
📞 Phone: (352) 569-6800
📠 Fax: (352) 569-6815
📧 Email: info@sumterpa.com
🌐 Website: https://sumterpa.com
Our office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM, excluding holidays.
Consent
By using the Sumter County Property Appraiser website, you consent to the terms of this Privacy Policy and the collection and use of your information as outlined above.