(A) The use of county-owned cellular/smartphones is for improved efficiency in conducting county-related business. Cellular/smart telephones and services will be provided to certain York County employees to conduct official county business related to their function with the county that either cannot be conducted on a land-line telephone or for which it would be inefficient to use a land-line telephone. Use of county-owned cellular phones for personal use should be minimized and is discouraged whenever possible. Employees will be responsible for reimbursement to the county of any personal phone calls, which result in additional expense over the contracted billing amount. An employee may not use a county-owned cell phone for private for-profit purposes, to engage in political activity, or any purpose that would violate any county policy.
(B) All communication equipment purchased, including phone number, is the property of York County government and will not be transferred or ported to another vendor or individual unless approved by the IT director or the County Manager. All costs incurred for replacement or repair of a cellular/smartphone will be the responsibility of the employee or employee’s department director depending on how the device was lost, stolen or broken.
(C) Managers and supervisors are responsible for educating subordinates about appropriate cellular telephone procedures and monitoring their usage. The IT department will monitor all cell phone usage and report any suspected abuse to the employee’s department director and the County Manager or his/her designee. In addition, the employee responsible for such abuse may be disciplined up to and including termination. As a county government, all cellular phone records are subject to the S.C. Freedom of Information Act. Employees should not expect any privacy with relation to the utilization of a county-issued communication device. The county email and internet policy applies to the email and internet service provided with these devices. These devices are also subject to FOIA.
(D) Due to the critical nature of smartphone content and being vulnerable to loss or theft, the information technology department will ensure proper security measures are in place and followed. If any smartphone is discovered to be a potential security threat and is connected to the county network, it will be blocked, removed and potentially wiped of all data and disconnected from the county network until it is deemed secure. Unapproved personal devices found on the network are also subject to being blocked or wiped. If the smartphone is lost, it will be wiped remotely to ensure all York County data is protected.
(E) Cellular phone usage creates many hazards while driving. If an employee must use a cellular phone while driving, a hands free device must be used. If a hands free device is unavailable, the employee must find a safe location to park the vehicle before using the device. Under no circumstance should an employee utilize the text or email features on a phone while driving. The following exceptions to this requirement may apply for those responding to emergencies:
(1) Lawfully parked or stopped;
(2) Using a hands-free wireless electronic communication device;
(3) Summoning emergency assistance;
(4) Transmitting or receiving data as part of a digital dispatch system;
(5) A public safety official while in the performance of the person’s official duties; or
(6) Using a global positioning system device or an internal global positioning system feature or function of a wireless electronic communication device for the purpose of navigation or obtaining related traffic and road condition information. The county shall maintain a written policy regarding county provided cellphone/smartphone usage. This policy sets forth York County’s expectations with respect to what is and what is not acceptable use, and to prevent offensive or inappropriate behavior when using this equipment. Please refer to the York County Cellphone/Smartphone Usage Policy for specific requirements, restrictions and information.
(F) The policy may be viewed at the county Human Resources Department, the IT Department or on the county intranet (Sharepoint).
(Ord. 2501, passed 7-16-01; Am. Ord. 1214, passed 5-5-14; Am. Ord. 2914, passed 9-2-14; Am. Ord. 3918, passed 8-20-18)