The Gadsden County Property Appraiser’s Office is committed to protecting the privacy and personal information of all residents, property owners, and website users. This Privacy Policy outlines how the office collects, uses, stores, and safeguards data obtained through its online tools, forms, and services. By establishing clear guidelines, the office ensures that sensitive information—such as property ownership details, contact information, and exemption applications—is handled responsibly and securely. Residents and visitors can use the office’s resources with confidence, knowing that their personal data is managed in accordance with applicable state laws and best practices for privacy protection.
Information We Collect
The Gadsden County Property Appraiser’s Office collects certain types of information to provide accurate property services, improve website functionality, and ensure secure interactions with residents, business owners, and professionals. Understanding the types of information collected helps users feel confident that their personal data is handled responsibly and in compliance with privacy regulations.
By collecting both voluntarily submitted and automatically gathered information, the Gadsden County Property Appraiser’s Office can provide efficient, accurate, and secure services while maintaining transparency and trust in the management of personal and property-related data.
Data You Provide Voluntarily
Some information is collected directly from users when interacting with the office’s services or online tools. This may include:
- Contact details: Name, mailing address, email address, and phone number when submitting inquiries or exemption applications.
- Property information: Parcel identification numbers, addresses, or other property-related data provided for searches, TPP filings, or exemption applications.
- Application documents: Supporting files, forms, or identification documents submitted as part of Homestead, Senior, or Tangible Personal Property exemptions.
- Feedback and requests: Questions, comments, or requests for records or assistance submitted through online forms or via email.
This voluntarily provided data is essential for delivering services, responding to inquiries, processing exemptions, and ensuring accurate property records. All information submitted is stored securely and used solely for official purposes related to property management, taxation, or public service.
Automatically Collected Information
To voluntary submissions, the office may collect certain information automatically when users interact with its website or online tools. This can include:
- Device and browser details: Type of device, operating system, browser version, and language settings.
- Usage data: Pages visited, features accessed, time spent on the website, and navigation patterns.
- IP addresses and location data: Used to monitor and improve website performance, enhance security, and prevent unauthorized access.
- Cookies and similar technologies: Employed to improve user experience, store session preferences, and track anonymous usage patterns for analytical purposes.
Automatically collected information helps the office optimize website functionality, enhance user experience, and maintain the security of online property tools. This data is aggregated and anonymized whenever possible, ensuring that individual users cannot be personally identified through automatic tracking alone.
How We Use Your Information
The Gadsden County Property Appraiser’s Office collects personal and property-related information with the primary goal of providing accurate, efficient, and secure services to residents, business owners, and professionals. The information you provide—both voluntarily and automatically—enables the office to deliver essential property services, maintain accurate records, and enhance user experience across digital and in-person platforms. The office strictly adheres to applicable laws and best practices to ensure that your data is handled responsibly, only used for intended purposes, and protected against unauthorized access.
For Service Improvements
Information collected allows the office to enhance the quality and functionality of its services and online tools. By analyzing usage patterns, feedback, and submitted data, the office can identify areas where property search tools, GIS mapping systems, and tax filing processes can be optimized. This ensures that all users can navigate resources efficiently, access accurate property records, and complete applications or filings with minimal difficulty. Additionally, insights gained from collected information help guide updates to educational guides, FAQs, and digital content to better meet community needs.
Communication & Notifications
Personal contact information is used to respond to inquiries, provide guidance, and deliver important notifications related to property assessments, exemption applications, filing deadlines, or other property-related services. The office may also send updates on system changes, new online features, or public announcements that directly impact property owners. All communications are conducted with attention to privacy, ensuring that contact information is used solely for official purposes and not shared with unauthorized third parties.
Legal and Compliance Purposes
Collected information supports the office in meeting statutory obligations and maintaining compliance with Florida property laws. This includes verifying ownership, processing exemptions, maintaining accurate tax rolls, and supporting audits or legal proceedings. Information may also be used to detect and prevent fraud, unauthorized filings, or misrepresentation of property data. By leveraging collected data responsibly, the office ensures that property assessments, tax calculations, and exemption processes are fair, accurate, and legally compliant.
Through these uses, the Gadsden County Property Appraiser’s Office ensures that your information serves to improve service quality, maintain open communication, and uphold legal and regulatory responsibilities, while safeguarding privacy and promoting trust in all property-related interactions.
Data Protection and Security Measures
The Gadsden County Property Appraiser’s Office places the highest priority on protecting personal and property-related information. Robust data protection and security measures are implemented to ensure that sensitive information remains confidential, secure, and accessible only to authorized personnel. These measures safeguard the integrity of property records, exemption applications, and user interactions with both online tools and in-person services.
Encryption and Secure Access
All sensitive information transmitted through the office’s website or online portals is protected using industry-standard encryption protocols, including SSL/TLS encryption. This ensures that data such as property details, contact information, and exemption filings are securely transmitted and cannot be intercepted or accessed by unauthorized parties. Secure login systems, password protection, and session management further safeguard online accounts and portal interactions.
Internal Access Restrictions
Access to collected information is strictly controlled within the office. Only authorized staff members who require data to perform their official duties—such as appraisers, GIS specialists, and administrative personnel—can view or process sensitive records. Role-based access controls and internal policies prevent unauthorized employees from accessing data unrelated to their responsibilities. Staff are trained regularly on privacy practices, confidentiality obligations, and secure handling of personal and property information.
Additional Security Practices
The office employs a combination of technical and administrative safeguards to protect information, including:
- Regular system audits and monitoring to detect and prevent unauthorized access or data breaches.
- Firewalls, antivirus software, and intrusion detection systems to secure internal networks and digital records.
- Data backup and recovery procedures to ensure information is not lost and can be restored quickly in the event of system failures or emergencies.
- Controlled storage of physical records in secure, access-restricted locations to prevent unauthorized handling of paper files.
By implementing these comprehensive security measures, the Gadsden County Property Appraiser’s Office ensures that all personal, property, and exemption-related information is protected against unauthorized access, loss, or misuse. Residents and property owners can interact with the office confidently, knowing their data is managed with strict security standards and adherence to privacy regulations.
Opt-Out Preferences
The Gadsden County Property Appraiser’s Office respects the privacy choices of residents, business owners, and website users, providing options to limit the use of personal information collected through online tools, forms, or other interactions. These preferences allow users to control how their data is accessed, stored, and used while still enabling essential services related to property records, assessments, and exemptions.
By providing these options, the Gadsden County Property Appraiser’s Office empowers users to maintain control over their personal information, enhancing trust, transparency, and confidence in the management of property-related data.
How to Limit the Use of Your Data
Users may exercise control over their personal information in several ways:
- Opting out of marketing or non-essential communications: While the office primarily uses contact information for official property services, users can request to limit email or phone notifications that are informational rather than legally required.
- Restricting data sharing: Personal or property information collected by the office is not sold or shared with unauthorized third parties. Users may request confirmation of how their data is stored or limit its use for non-essential purposes.
- Managing cookies and tracking tools: For website interactions, users can adjust browser settings to block or limit cookies, tracking scripts, or analytics tools that collect usage data, while understanding that some site functionality may be affected.
- Submitting formal requests: Users can contact the Property Appraiser’s Office directly to request restrictions on specific uses of their information, clarify what data is collected, or request updates or removal of voluntarily submitted information where legally permissible.
All opt-out requests are handled in accordance with Florida law and office policies, ensuring that essential services—such as property searches, exemption processing, and official communications—remain unaffected while respecting user privacy preferences. For detailed information on website usage and user responsibilities, please review our Terms and Conditions page.
Sharing & Third-Party Services
The Gadsden County Property Appraiser’s Office is committed to protecting the privacy of residents and property owners while ensuring that essential property services are delivered efficiently. Although the office primarily collects and uses information for official property assessment, exemption, and record-keeping purposes, there are limited circumstances in which information may be shared with authorized parties or third-party service providers. This section explains when and why data is shared and how third-party services are used.
When and Why We Share Information
Information collected by the office may be shared only when necessary to carry out official duties or comply with legal obligations. Examples include:
- Inter-agency collaboration: Sharing relevant property data with other government departments, taxing authorities, or public agencies to maintain accurate tax rolls, support exemptions, or facilitate legal compliance.
- Legal requirements: Disclosing information as required by state law, court orders, or regulatory investigations to ensure compliance with Florida statutes governing property assessments and taxation.
- Public record obligations: Certain property information, such as assessed values, ownership details, and parcel data, is publicly available in accordance with Florida’s public records laws.
In all cases, information is shared securely and only with entities that have a legitimate, authorized need for access. Personal data unrelated to property ownership or taxation is never shared without explicit consent, except as required by law.
Third-Party Tools and Services
To enhance efficiency and provide improved digital services, the office may utilize third-party tools and service providers. These include:
- Website hosting and analytics services that help monitor traffic, improve user experience, and ensure website security.
- Document management or cloud storage providers for secure handling of exemption applications, filings, and property records.
- Payment processing services for handling applicable fees related to property filings, certifications, or official records requests.
All third-party providers are selected carefully and required to adhere to strict privacy and security standards, ensuring that data is protected and used solely for the purpose of supporting official property services. Users are encouraged to verify that interactions with third-party tools occur through official office channels to avoid exposure to unauthorized services.
By sharing information only when legally necessary or essential for service delivery and using third-party tools responsibly, the Gadsden County Property Appraiser’s Office balances transparency, efficiency, and security while maintaining strict control over personal and property-related data.
Your Rights & Data Control Options
The Gadsden County Property Appraiser’s Office is committed to giving residents, property owners, and website users control over their personal information. Understanding your rights and available data control options ensures that you can manage how your information is accessed, updated, or removed while still receiving essential property services.
These rights and control options empower users to actively manage their personal information, strengthen privacy protections, and ensure that interactions with the Gadsden County Property Appraiser’s Office are secure, transparent, and reliable.
Requesting Data Access or Deletion
Property owners and users have the right to request access to the personal information collected by the office. This includes data submitted voluntarily, such as contact details, exemption applications, or supporting documents. Users may:
- Request a copy of the information maintained about them.
- Verify that the data is accurate and complete.
- Submit requests for deletion or restriction of personal information, where legally permissible, while recognizing that certain records—such as public property assessments and official tax rolls—are maintained under Florida public records laws and cannot be removed.
All requests for access or deletion are handled promptly and in accordance with applicable statutes, ensuring transparency and compliance with legal obligations.
Updating Your Personal Information
Users are encouraged to keep their contact and property information up to date to ensure accurate correspondence, exemption processing, and tax notifications. You can update your information by:
- Submitting changes through official online forms on the Property Appraiser’s website.
- Contacting the office directly via phone, email, or in-person visits to request updates.
- Providing documentation to verify changes, such as legal name changes, mailing address updates, or changes in property ownership.
By maintaining accurate information, residents and property owners can ensure that communications, exemptions, and property records reflect the most current and correct data, minimizing errors or delays in services.
Changes to This Privacy Policy
The Gadsden County Property Appraiser’s Office is committed to maintaining the highest standards of transparency and accountability regarding the collection, use, and protection of personal and property-related information. To ensure that privacy practices remain current and effective, the office may periodically revise this Privacy Policy. Updates may reflect changes in state or federal law, administrative procedures, technological improvements, or enhancements to online tools and services. These revisions are designed to strengthen data protection, clarify user rights, and provide greater transparency about how information is managed.
Notification of Updates
Whenever this Privacy Policy is updated, the office will make prominent notifications available on the official website to inform users of the changes. Depending on the nature of the update, notifications may include:
- A summary of significant changes, highlighting modifications in data collection, usage, sharing practices, or user rights.
- Updated links to the revised Privacy Policy for full reference.
- Direct communications or announcements, where applicable, for major changes affecting exemption applications, property filings, or online account management.
Users are encouraged to review the Privacy Policy regularly, especially prior to submitting personal information, filing exemption requests, or using online tools. Staying informed ensures that residents and property owners understand current practices, their rights, and the measures in place to safeguard their information.
Date of Last Revision
Each version of the Privacy Policy includes a “Last Revised” date, clearly indicating when the policy was most recently updated. This date allows users to confirm that they are consulting the latest guidance on how their information is collected, stored, and used. Keeping track of revisions ensures transparency, fosters trust, and helps users make informed decisions about interacting with the office’s digital and in-person services.
By providing detailed information about updates, notifications, and revision dates, the Gadsden County Property Appraiser’s Office ensures that residents and property owners can monitor changes, exercise their rights, and maintain confidence in the security, accuracy, and responsible handling of personal and property-related information.
Contact Us for Privacy Concerns
The Gadsden County Property Appraiser’s Office is committed to addressing any questions, concerns, or requests regarding the collection, use, or protection of personal and property-related information. Residents, business owners, and website users are encouraged to contact the office directly if they wish to:
- Request clarification about privacy practices or this Privacy Policy
- Submit inquiries regarding data access, correction, or deletion
- Report potential privacy or security issues
- Seek assistance with managing consent or opt-out preferences
How to Reach the Gadsden County Property Appraiser
Users can contact the office through multiple official channels to ensure their privacy concerns are handled promptly and securely:
- Main Office (Quincy Headquarters)
- Address: 16 South Calhoun Street, Quincy, Florida 32351
- Phone: (850) 627‑7168
- Email: RCunningham@gcpafl.org
- Branch or Satellite Offices
- Locations and hours are listed on the official website, providing in-person access for privacy-related inquiries.
- Online Contact Form
- Users can submit privacy-related requests or questions through the office’s secure online forms, ensuring that sensitive information is transmitted safely.
- Mail or Written Requests
- Written communications regarding privacy concerns, requests for data access, or corrections can be mailed to the main office address with clear details about the inquiry.
By providing multiple contact options, the Gadsden County Property Appraiser’s Office ensures that all privacy concerns are addressed efficiently, securely, and transparently, giving residents and property owners confidence in the protection and responsible management of their personal and property-related information.