New Payment System Would Eliminate Need to 'Bring a Strongbox' to City Hall

If you need to pay a bill or fine or permit fee at Dacula City Hall, you currently have two options: cash or check. That may soon change though. Earlier this week, city officials met with Courtware Solutions Inc. to discuss a debit and credit card processing system that would, as Mayor Jimmy Wilbanks joked, eliminate the need to "bring a strongbox with you to come to City Hall."

The payment system, according to City Administrator Jim Osborn, would require no contract and the cost -- 2.99 percent of the total amount paid through the system monthly -- would be covered by a transaction fee. 

"It's really a win-win situation," Osborn said during the March 28 city council work session. "We're not losing any money."

The system would cover most city payments including court fines, building permit fees and development permits. 

"I just think it's more convenient than cash or check," Osborn added.

The software and card reader would be provided at no additional cost and the company also offers free customer support and training.

In 2010, the city decided to implement a credit card payment system, but abandoned the plan upon learning the vendor would not accept Visa, Wilbanks explained.

"It's dumb not to go ahead and get started on this electronic payment system," Wilbanks said. "I think it's something we really need to go ahead and do because people are flabbergasted when you tell them we don't take their debit card for a $50 trash can."

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