(A) The duty to prevent disclosure of an address as it falls under I.C. 36-1-8.5 et seq. rests upon the County Auditor’s office regarding public property database websites.
(B) Pursuant to I.C. 36-1-8.5-7, the following process to prevent the public from gaining access to covered person’s address is as follows:
(1) Written request pursuant to I.C. 36-l-8-7(a) a covered person who wants to restrict access to the covered person's home address by means of a public property database website must submit a state address confidentiality form to the Owen County Auditor's office.
(2) Pursuant to I.C. 36-l-8-7(a) the written request alternatively may be submitted on the Address Restriction/Name Change Form obtained from the Owen County Auditor's office.
(3) The written request must include State Key Parcel Number(s) for the parcel(s) where the home address is located and for additional parcels that make reference to the home address.
(4) A bulk request must be submitted by a cooperative agency (defined in § 30.065) by providing a digital list of covered names accompanied with the Address Restriction/Name Change Form.
(a) An agency designated administrator shall submit a digital list of current covered persons including:
1. Name as it appears on current deed of record and tax records (covered person must be listed on the deed.)
2. State Key Parcel Number(s) for the parcel(s) where the home address is located and for additional parcels that make reference to the home address.
3. Home address for the parcel(s) affected including city, state, and zip code.
4. Contact phone number and/or email address.
(b) The digital list shall also include those individuals that have moved from their primary residence and may need to report a change of home address.
(5) Individuals that have moved and want their new home address restricted must submit a written request to the Owen County Auditor's office.
(6) Individuals that have a change of name under I.C. 34-28-2 must submit a written request to the Owen County Auditor's office.
(7) Individuals that want to allow public access to a previously restricted home address must submit a written request to the Owen County Auditor's office.
(C) Information or verification required for processing the written request. The following describes what information or verification is required for a covered person's written request to be processed. The Auditor's office shall verify that submission is valid and requestor is covered according to I.C. 36-1-8.5 et. seq.
(1) A judge. Provide a signed letter in paper copy stating current or previous employment status as:
(a) A judge of the supreme court, court of appeals, tax court, circuit court, superior court, municipal court, county court, federal court, or small claims court; or
(b) Magistrate, commissioner, or juvenile referee of a court.
(2) Law enforcement officer. Provide a signed letter in paper copy stating current or previous employment status as:
(a) A police officer (including correctional police officer), sheriff, constable, marshal, prosecuting attorney, special prosecuting attorney, special deputy prosecuting attorney, the securities commissioner, or the inspector general;
(b) A deputy of any the persons specified in division (A);
(c) An investigator for a prosecuting attorney or for the inspector general;
(d) A conservation officer;
(e) An enforcement officer of the Alcohol and Tobacco Commission; or
(f) An enforcement officer of the securities division of the office of the Secretary of State.
(3) Victim of domestic violence. Provide a paper copy of proof of program participation of the Attorney General Address Confidentiality Program.
(4) Public official. Provide a signed letter in paper copy stating current or previous service as a public official who holds or formerly held office at any time during the preceding four years in the executive or legislative branch of the state or federal government or a political subdivision of the state or federal government.
(5) Surviving spouse of law enforcement who was killed in the line of duty. The commanding officer shall provide confirmation to the Auditor's office.
(6) Employee of the Department of Child Services. Provide a signed letter in paper copy stating the individual is or was employed as any of the following by the Department of Child Services established by I.C. 31-25-1-1:
(a) A family case manager trainee;
(b) A family case manager;
(c) A family case manager supervisor;
(d) A local office director;
(e) A regional manager;
(f) A child services assistant; or
(g) A child services attorney.
(D) Person or department to receive and process written requests. Written requests regarding the redaction of a home address on the public property database website shall be received and processed by the Owen County Auditor's office. If a written request for redaction of a home address is denied by the Owen County Auditor's office, the applicant may appeal to the Owen County Board of Commissioners.
(E) Methods used for notifying covered persons. The following methods may be used as a means to notify covered person of their applicability under I.C. 36-1-8.5.
(1) Signs will be posted in various county offices that deal with property upon permission by the office department head.
(2) A copy of Ord. 2020-0042, upon which this subchapter is based, will be sent to the judges, local law enforcement offices, prosecutor's office, public officials, and the department of child services.
(3) A written notification will be submitted to local law enforcement offices and courts.
(4) A broadcast email may be sent through Owen County's email system notifying public officials of their eligibility.
(F) Fee structure. Pursuant to I.C. 36-1-8.5-7(d) and I.C. 36-1-8.5-10(b) Owen County may charge a reasonable fee to a covered person who makes a written request or requests a name change to title. Owen County opts not to charge a fee to applicants making a written request for any service under I.C. 36-1-8.5 et seq.
(BC Ord. 2018-005, passed - -2017; Ord. 2020-0042, passed 7-20-2020)