City of Bessemer City
Privacy Policy
How the City of Bessemer City collects, uses and protects information on this website.
DRAFT FOR CITY REVIEW. Not published. Written by David Turner Designs for the City to edit and approve. Items to confirm before publishing: (1) whether the City will use website analytics, and which tool (none is active on the new site today); (2) the public records wording, for review by the City Clerk and City Attorney; (3) whether online forms will collect anything beyond name, email, phone and message (for example, uploads or payment); (4) the contact person and email for privacy questions; (5) the effective date. Remove this box before publishing.
Effective date: [to be set when approved]
This Privacy Policy explains how the City of Bessemer City (“the City,” “we” or “us”) collects, uses and shares information when you visit bessemercity.com. It applies only to this website. Other websites we link to, including payment and meeting portals run by outside companies, have their own policies.
Information you choose to give us
You do not have to give us any personal information to read this website. When you contact the City or use an online form, such as a contact form, volunteer sign-up, board application or event registration, we collect the information you enter. This is usually your name, email address, phone number, mailing address and your message.
We use this information only to respond to you, provide the service you asked for, and keep the records the City is required to keep.
Information collected automatically
Like most websites, our web server automatically records basic technical information when you visit, such as your IP address, browser type, the pages you view and the date and time of your visit. We use this information to keep the website secure, prevent abuse and fix problems. Our security tools may use this information to block suspicious traffic.
[If the City adds website analytics: We use [analytics tool] to understand how visitors use the website so we can improve it. This information is reported in summary form and is not used to identify you.]
Cookies
Cookies are small files your browser stores. This website uses cookies that are needed for the site to work and stay secure, for example to remember a form you are filling out. We do not use advertising cookies or sell information to advertisers. You can block or delete cookies in your browser settings, though some features may not work as expected.
Public records
The City of Bessemer City is a North Carolina local government. Under the North Carolina Public Records Law (N.C.G.S. Chapter 132), email and information you send to the City may be a public record and may be released to others on request, unless state or federal law makes it confidential. Please do not send sensitive personal information, such as Social Security or bank account numbers, through email or website forms.
How we share information
We do not sell, rent or trade your personal information. We share it only when needed to provide a City service, when required by law (including the Public Records Law), or to protect the safety of the public or the security of this website.
Outside services and embedded content
Some services on this website are provided by outside companies. When you use them, their privacy policies apply:
- Online utility bill payment is handled by Municipal Online Payments. The City does not see or store your card or bank account numbers.
- Videos and maps on some pages are embedded from YouTube and Google Maps. These companies may set their own cookies when you view or play that content.
- Social media. Links to the City’s social media accounts take you to those platforms, which have their own privacy practices.
- Meeting agendas and minutes may be hosted on an outside portal.
Links to other websites
This website links to other government agencies, community organizations and businesses. The City is not responsible for the content or privacy practices of those websites.
Children
This website is meant for a general audience. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 without a parent’s consent. Parents who believe their child has submitted information can contact us and we will help.
Security
We use reasonable safeguards to protect information submitted through this website. No website can be guaranteed to be completely secure, so please use care when sending personal information online.
Changes to this policy
We may update this policy from time to time. The effective date at the top of this page shows when it was last changed.
Contact us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, contact:
City of Bessemer City
132 West Virginia Avenue
Bessemer City, NC 28016
(704) 629-5542
[privacy contact email to be confirmed]