Rio Blanco County Government

to further County and department missions and goals. The county endorses the secure use of social media technology to enhance communication, collaboration and information exchange; streamline processes; and foster productivity improvements. However, their application must not compromise data confidentiality and integrity. The same standards of conduct, principles and guidelines that apply to Rio Blanco County employees in the performance of their assigned duties apply to social media technology use. Rio Blanco County considers the social media accounts that it creates and maintains, whether developed solely by the County or using a third-party social media resource (e.g., Facebook, Twitter), to be moderated, limited discussion sites and not general public forums. The sites will be moderated by County staff. All posted content (e.g., comments, photos, links) must relate to the particular discussion initiated by the County and be focused on County programs, services, projects, issues, events, and activities. Any comment posted on Rio Blanco County social media accounts by anyone other than an authorized County staff member acting on behalf of the County, is the opinion of the commentator or poster only. Publication of a comment or post does not imply endorsement of or agreement by Rio Blanco County, nor do such comments necessarily reflect the opinions or policies of the Rio Blanco County Board of County Commissioners. The following are prohibited on Rio Blanco County social media accounts:
Posts and comments that include vulgar, offensive, threatening or harassing language, personal attacks or unsupported accusations. Posts and comments not related to the original topic, including random or unintelligible comments. Posts and comments that are not factual or accurate. Posts and comments that promote, foster or perpetuate discrimination on the basis of creed, color, age, religion, gender, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, or any other status protected by law. Posts and comments that promote or advertise commercial services, unless the advertising is generated by the third-party social media service in such a manner that the county cannot block the advertising. Political comments promoting or opposing any person campaigning for election to a political office or promoting or opposing ballot propositions. Religious statements, including comments that endorse or oppose any type of religion, religious opinions, or activities. Obscene or sexual content or links to obscene or sexual content. Conduct in violation of any federal, state or local law, or encouragement of illegal activity. Information that could compromise the safety or security of the public or public systems. Content that could violate the legal ownership interest of any other party. Content that could compromise an ongoing investigation. Rio Blanco County reserves the right to:
1. Immediately remove posted content that does not comply with this policy
2. Remove posted content and/or comments after 30 days
3. Deny access to Rio Blanco County social media accounts to any individual who violates the County’s Social Media Policy at any time, without prior notice
4. Discontinue or delete a discussion thread at any time, without cause or prior notice. All content added or uploaded to Rio Blanco County social media accounts will be periodically reviewed by County staff. All content on Rio Blanco County’s social media is considered a public record. For that reason, users should refrain from including telephone numbers, home addresses, email addresses, and any other private information in the body of their comment. Communications and/or requests made through Rio Blanco County’s social media accounts in no way constitutes a legal or official notice of or comment to Rio Blanco County. For example, a post or comment on a social media site requesting public records will not be considered a public records request to the County, and a post or comment on an issue or topic subject to a noticed comment period will not be considered part of the official record for that issue or topic. All comments and posts on Rio Blanco County sites offered through third-party services must comply with any and all terms or statements of use of the specific service (e.g., Facebook, Twitter). Rio Blanco County reserves the right to report any violation to the specific service in accordance with the policies of the third-party service. This policy is subject to change without notice.