Board weighs cost of convenience

A plan to allow Greencastle residents to use credit cards to pay their utility bills and various other municipal costs is awaiting the signature of the mayor.

Earlier this month, the Greencastle Board of Works reviewed a contract to provide credit card capabilities at city hall, the parks and recreation department and other city departments.

Under the plan, residents could use their credit cards to pay monthly water and sewer bills, buy a swim pass at the city pool, obtain a building permit or pay a parking ticket, among other city related purchases.

"It's a convenience," City Clerk/Treasurer Teresa Glenn said. "I just feel like it's something we need to offer as a service to our customers."

But board members appeared to have some reservations about the plan -- mainly the cost that the city would have to pay for the service. As with any business that allows payment by credit card, the city would be charged a fee for each credit card transaction.

For that reason, board member Thom Morris asked whether the city should "roll out (the credit card program) piece by piece" in order to gauge the cost to the city for offering credit card service to customers.

Board members also questioned how much the credit card machines would cost and how they would be maintained.

According to the contract, the machines are $125 apiece and the city would buy five.

Board members Sue Murray, Morris and Mayor Nancy Michael approved signing the contract for the machines awaiting some clarification on how much the city would be charged for having the service.

The mayor had not signed the contract as of this week.