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ICASA~USCOUNTYi <br />~OlR CAROLINA <br /> <br />December 9, 1997 <br /> <br />TO: <br />FROM: <br />SUBJECT: <br /> <br />Frank Clifton, Jr. <br />Blair Bennett <br />Credit Card Usage for Payments <br /> <br />Some department heads have indicated that they believe accepting credit cards from individuals <br />for payments of services rendered by Cabarms County would be beneficial. I have explored this <br />possibility with two (2) agents representing credit card companies. North Carolina law will allow <br />credit card payments for nearly all services except the payment of property taxes. Since there is a <br />fee associated with the use of credit cards, it becomes a problem absorbing the fee as it relates to <br />property taxes. However; departments that could use them effectively are Building Inspections, <br />Recreation, Health and some others are being investigated. I have checked with several other <br />governments and many are beginning to use credit cards as a mode of collection. <br /> <br />It is relatively easy to start up the processing for use of credit cards. Two (2) pieces of equipment <br />are needed: a card reader and printer. The cost for this equipment is approximately $600.00 per <br />station. Also a phone line is needed to attach the card reader. It takes approximately 30 seconds <br />to scan a card and receive approval back through the automated system <br /> <br />Through negotiations with Cardmaster America we have agreed upon a fee schedule subject to <br />Board of Commissioners approval as follows: <br /> <br />1.69% of total sales plus $. 15 per transaction <br /> <br />Putting this into perspective, suppose a building permit cost $400.00. The fee associated with this <br />transaction would be $6.91. I believe this is certainly a reasonable fee to do credit card business <br />and would like to proceed with implementation in these three (3) departments. I will follow this <br />process closely and set up the necessary internal controls to monitor the deposit of receipts in a <br />timely manner. <br /> <br />I am requesting Board of Commissioners approval to begin this process and I will be available to <br />discuss other details, if necessary. <br /> <br /> Finance Depa.~ment <br />c 0 3ox 70? · Concord, NC 28026-0707 <br /> <br /> <br />