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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 06.fAugust 7, 2017 Item No.________ RESOLUTION ELIMINATING THE CONVENIENCE FEE FOR ONLINE UTILITY BILLING CREDIT CARD PAYMENTS Proposed Action Staff recommends adoption of the following motion: Move to approve a Resolution Eliminating the Convenience Fee for Online Utility Billing Credit Card Payments. Approval of the resolution will eliminate the convenience fee applied on utility credit card payments effective the date of implementation of a new online payment portal that is scheduled later this fall. Overview City staff presented information at the council workshop held on July 24, 2017 regarding changing the current practice of charging a convenience fee for online utility billing credit card payments to absorbing the fees. Staff conducted additional research and analysis on credit card fee options in conjunction with review of a new utility billing/payment portal to be implemented later this fall. Based on the analysis it was determined that credit card companies offer a special rate specifically to government utilities. To qualify for this special rate, the City cannot pass on the fees to the utility customer as a convenience fee or service fee; therefore, the City must absorb the fees and remove the convenience fee. Primary Issues to Consider The convenience fee will not be removed until the new online utility billing/payment portal is implemented. Supporting Information • Resolution Financial Impact: $ Budgeted: Y☐ N☐ Source: Related Documents: (CIP, ERP, etc.): Envision Lakeville Community Values: Good Value for Public Services Report Completed by: Jerilyn Erickson, Finance Director and Julie Werner, Assistant Finance Director Varies Utility Funds N/A CITY OF LAKEVILLE RESOLUTION NO.______ RESOLUTION ELIMINATING THE CONVENIENCE FEE FOR ONLINE UTILITY BILLING CREDIT CARD PAYMENTS WHEREAS, following research and analysis of credit card fee options, it was determined that credit card companies offer a special rate specifically to government utilities; and WHEREAS, to qualify for this special rate, the City cannot pass on fees to the utility customer as a convenience fee or service fee; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the convenience fee for online utility billing credit card payments will be removed effective the date the online portal provided by Payment Service Network (PSN) is implemented. ADOPTED this 7th day of August 2017 by the City Council of the City of Lakeville CITY OF LAKEVILLE By: ________________________________ Douglas P. Anderson ATTEST: ________________________________ Charlene Friedges, City Clerk