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Meadow Town briefed on state Government Data Privacy Act; Dec. 31 reporting deadline set
Summary
A regional representative told the Meadow Town Council the state’s Government Data Privacy Act requires municipalities to assign a chief administrative officer and a records officer and submit an inventory form to privacy.utah.gov by Dec. 31.
Meadow Town councilors heard a briefing Wednesday from Jess Peterson of R6 on state changes to the Government Data Privacy Act that require municipal reporting and basic administrative appointments.
The law requires each city and town to designate a chief administrative officer and a records officer and to fill out an online inventory form at privacy.utah.gov showing what personal data the municipality collects, who it shares it with and what safeguards exist. "If you don't need to collect it, don't collect it," Peterson told the council during the presentation.
The briefing, given by Peterson, framed the changes as an initial, statewide inventory step. Peterson said the legislation was kept simple to allow municipalities to begin compliance and that the region will use the submitted forms to identify gaps across local governments. "They honestly understand that most towns, most cities across Utah are out of compliance big time," Peterson said.
Council members asked procedural questions about how to document the appointments and whether a formal resolution was required. Peterson said the designations are "typically done by resolution" and that the chief administrative officer is often the mayor, while the records officer can be the staff member already handling records functions. The council noted Meadow Town already has a designated records officer on staff, and Peterson pointed to an eight-minute training video on the privacy website for anyone who will handle collected information.
Peterson said the initial form must be submitted by Dec. 31; she also described a later deadline (referred to in the briefing as 2027) for additional policy steps as the state phases implementation. Peterson offered follow-up assistance and consultations to help the town complete the inventory.
Councilor Mike said he will add the data-privacy item to the October agenda so members can review the materials and identify who will be formally designated. Peterson said staff from the privacy office and community advisors are available to meet with town staff to complete the form.
The council did not take a formal vote on a resolution at the meeting. Members discussed next steps, training and that Meadow Town’s current online presence is limited (the council noted the town has no municipal website and maintains a Facebook page), which the presenter said can make initial reporting simpler.
