HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Authorizing Customer Service Staff to Accept Over-the-Counter Credit Card Payment RESOLUTION NO. 23-548
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING CUSTOMER SERVICE STAFF TO
ACCEPT OVER-THE-COUNTER CREDIT CARD PAYMENT
FOR THE CITY OF AMES,IOWA
WHEREAS, many City locations accept credit cards as an in-person payment method, and
this payment method is increasingly the preference of Ames' customers. In FY 2022/23, a total of
102,000 online credit card payments were processed for Customer Service, an increase of 27%
over the prior year. In FY 2022/23, 43,000 in-person payments were received at the Customer
Service counter; and,
WHEREAS, the major obstacle to providing credit card acceptance is how to address per-
transaction fees. Since these fees can become substantial when assessed on large transactions, staff
explored several potential fee structure options; and,
WHEREAS, staff determined the most cost-effective approach to be to utilize the services
of the City's existing financial software provider, CentralSquare. Its system would enable Finance
Customer Service to accept credit cards at the counter for a cost of$2.99 per transaction. Due to
the use of a fixed fee instead of a percentage of the transaction, CentralSquare imposes a total
transaction limit of$450; and,
WHEREAS, the proposed system will not involve the City in the retention or storage of
any sensitive information, and all data transmission will be encrypted through the credit card
company's system. CentralSquare has offered two credit card readers to the City at no cost and has
committed to implementing the necessary system changes within the available hours, building on
a previously completed project. Consequently, there is cost to the City to implement the in-person
acceptance of credit cards.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Ames, Iowa,
that authorization of Customer Service staff to accept over-the-counter credit card payments, with
the transaction fee initially established at $2.99 per transaction (paid by the customer) and the
transaction limit initially established at $450 per transaction, is hereby approved.
ADOPTED THIS 1 Oth day of October, 2023.
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Renee Nall, City Clerk John A. Haila, Mayor
Introduced by: Corrieri
Seconded by: Rollins
Voting aye: Beatty-Hansen, Betcher, Corrieri, Gartin, Junck, Rollins
Voting nay: None Absent: None
Resolution declared adopted and signed by the Mayor this IOth day of October, 2023.