§ 7-25. Social Media Policy

SCOPE: These rules have general applicability to all prospective and current employees, both classified and unclassified, officials, and others serving in an official capacity on behalf of the City, i.e. City representatives.

PURPOSE: To establish and publish the City's position on the permitted and prohibited use of all forms of social media by City representatives, for business use. The policy covers current and future forms of social media.

POLICY: The City may use social media to meet community needs, perform community outreach, problem-solving, and otherwise furthering the goals of the City. In doing so, the City's official use of social media must be at the highest professional standard.

OFFICIAL USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA

A.

The City shall maintain a social media presence through its Communications and Marketing Office.

B.

No department shall have their own specific social media page or presence without the express consent of the City Manager.

C.

All department pages that are approved by the City Manager will be administered by the Communications and Marketing Administrator.

i.

Any director wishing to administer their own page shall fill out an application with the Public Information Office, which will then be considered. If approved, the department will be able to administer their own social media page, but shall also continue to include the Communications and Marketing Administrator as an administrator as well.

D.

In order to minimize public confusion, City Employees should only publish or post information under the City's official user name and profile.

E.

All social media content shall adhere to applicable state, federal, and local laws, regulations, the City's General Standards of Conduct and Code of Ethics. As such, if the City Manager or his or her designee feels the post is inappropriate, it will not be posted, at the City Manager's discretion.

F.

All contents published and received by the City using social media in connection with City business are public records, and therefore subject to record retention law.

G.

First Amendment: City representatives are cautioned that their speech, made pursuant to their employment duties, in the course of their official duties, or relating to their professional responsibilities, whether on or off duty, may not be protected by the First Amendment.

H.

No expectation of privacy: Communications sent or received using the City's electronic communications systems or equipment are the City's property, and are not individual's private property. City representatives using City equipment have no right to privacy and no expectation of privacy with respect to those communications, whether communicated via social media sites or otherwise. The City reserves the right to monitor, review, intercept or gain access to communications initiated or received by City representatives on the City's electronic communications systems and equipment. Use of the City's systems constitutes consent to such monitoring, reviewing, interception or access. The City is not required to provide notice to City representatives before or after any review of communications.

I.

Social media is subject to the Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA) and any other open records laws.

PRIVATE USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA BY CITY EMPLOYEES

A.

The City recognizes and respects that City employees may choose to have their own personal social media accounts, and does not wish to regulate personal use.

B.

However, employees should keep in mind that identifying one-self as a City employee and making disparaging remarks about the City on a public website is not appropriate, as noted in the City's General Standards of Conduct and Code of Ethics.

C.

Therefore, employees are cautioned that acting in their capacity as a City employee and making adverse remarks about the City is considered to be in violation of this policy and disciplinary action may be taken as a result of the remarks.

VIOLATIONS OF THE SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY

A.

City employees who become aware of or having knowledge of a posting or of any website or webpage in violation of any provision of this policy should notify the appropriate supervisor, department director, human resources staff person or other high-level management official immediately.

B.

Violations of this policy.

(1)

Employees in violation of any provision of this policy are subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination.

EMPLOYEE RIGHTS: Nothing in this policy is meant to restrict or prohibit City personnel rights under any applicable local, state or federal laws.

(Ord. No. 1547 , 1-19-18)