To better serve its residents, Polk County may use digital engagement tools and websites, including social media platforms, to provide information in more places and more ways than were historically and traditionally available.

All content, including but not limited to text, comments, responses, posts, videos, live-video streams, writings, materials, documents, photographs, graphics, or other information of any kind that is created, posted, shared, distributed, or transmitted through any online medium—are public and are subject to disclosure, pursuant to Chapter 119, Florida Statutes and county public records policies.

This policy defines a social media platform as publicly accessible websites or applications for consuming and sharing audio, video, still-photo or written communication between the public and the county. Polk County’s social media platforms may include, but are not limited to: Facebook, X (Twitter), YouTube, Instagram, Nextdoor, LinkedIn and emergency notification services.

By posting or commenting on any social media platform used by the county, you elect to participate and take personal responsibility for your comments, your username, and any information you provide on a county site. This policy’s standards apply to all Polk County social media sites, accounts and platforms. This policy may be amended from time to time at the sole discretion of the county.

To protect your privacy and the privacy of others, please do not include sensitive personally identifiable information, such as licenses and social security numbers. County hosted platforms and websites should not be considered secure.

Practical and legal considerations may sometimes constrain, prevent or prohibit discussion by the county of certain topics, including, but not limited to, litigation, pending investigations and other topics through various media, including, but not limited to, social media.

Any references or links to a specific entity, product, service or organization posted by individuals on the county’s social media sites should not be considered an endorsement by the county, its employees, its departments, its agents or officers.

Polk County is not responsible for content that appears on links to external sites nor is Polk County responsible for and does not guarantee the authenticity, accuracy, appropriateness or security of any link, external website or its content.

Limited Public Forum
All social media platforms used by Polk County are designated as Limited Public Forums and are not traditional or open public forums. The county welcomes a person’s right to express opinions and encourages posters to keep comments relevant to the topic in question.

Posting on any Polk County social media platform by any visitor, follower, subscriber or fan, constitutes acceptance of the Terms of Use described in this policy. We encourage you to submit comments that are on topic; please address your comments to the specific topic(s) discussed.

Terms and Conditions
Members of the public who post, comment or otherwise submit content to a county social media site agree they have read, understand and explicitly agree to this policy, Terms and Conditions:

• I am submitting content voluntarily and on my own behalf.
• The content I post reflects my own original thoughts or work.
• I understand that the county has the right to re-post or share any content, photos or videos that I submit on any county social media site.
• I have read and understand this policy, including the right of the county to remove, or archive content as described in the county’s policy, and as may be required or allowed by law.
• I understand that any content I provide may be considered a “public record” under Florida law.
• I understand and agree that under Florida’s public records laws, the county social media sites are not proper vehicles for making requests for public information or public records under state law and any such requests should be made to the appropriate custodian of the records.
• I also understand that the views and comments expressed on this site only reflect those of the comment’s author, and do not necessarily reflect the official views of the county, its elected and appointed officers and employees, or its divisions and agencies.
• I understand and agree that my and others’ comments are subject archiving and that my comments and others’ comments are subject to removal in whole or in part from this site if my or their comments contain:

o Comments not directly on the topic raised for discussion, including random or unintelligible comments;
o Obscene, indecent, or profane language, or pornographic images, depictions or videos;
o Direct threats, or those that clearly promote violence;
o Content that promotes discrimination based on race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability or gender identity;
o The solicitation, promotion or endorsement of specific commercial services, products or entities;
o Links to any site or content posted by automatic software programs (i.e. “bots,” or their functional equivalent);
o Posts or comments which contain any external links to known malware sites or other dangerous content;
o The promotion or encouragement of any illegal activity;
o Any confidential or exempt information in violation of state or federal law, sensitive personally identifiable information or sensitive personal information that, if released, violates federal or state law;
o The promotion or endorsement of a political campaign or candidate;
o Information that compromises the public safety or security of the public or security systems;
o Information that directly interferes or compromises ongoing investigations, public safety tactics, or the safety of public safety officers; and/or
o Appear to violate the intellectual property right of the county or a third party under federal or state law.

Moderation of Content
Polk County’s social media platforms are intended to be “family friendly.” We reserve the right to remove (hide) inappropriate content and/or block anyone who repeatedly posts inappropriate material as determined by the county.

Posts that are deemed to be inappropriate by a social media platform may be removed or hidden. This occurs outside of Polk County’s control.

Any post that violates Polk County’s Terms of Use Agreement or disclaimer will be documented for records retention purposes and may be removed from public view. The comment maker may then be notified that he or she has violated this policy and/or the Terms of Use, specifying any and all provisions of this policy and/or Terms of Use that were violated.

When a post or comment has been removed, anyone aggrieved other than a county employee, agent or officer may seek to have the Communications Director reconsider the decision to edit or remove a comment. The aggrieved must provide the Communications Director a written request stating the reason or reasons why the comments do not fall within those limitations established in this policy or offer other bases to establish a right to publish the comments or other communications on the county’s social media sites.

The Communications Director, or other appropriate official, must render a written decision on the request within three business days (excluding official county holidays) of receipt of the request noting the basis for the decision. The decision of the Communications Director or other appropriate official will be the final administrative decision of the county.

When content is removed because it is a potential security breach or may contain a virus, the notice under this section is not required, but the person responsible for the post may appeal the decision by contacting the county.

Denial of Access
Polk County reserves the right to deny access to any Polk County social media site for any individual found in violation of our Terms of Use, at any time and without prior notice. We will notify users found in violation of our Terms of Use.

Questions
Questions about this policy or Terms of Use, should be directed to the Communications Division at (863) 534-6090.