Title
Chief Administrative Office recommending the Board adopt a Resolution authorizing the acceptance of credit cards, debit cards or electronic funds transfers for payment of legally permissible fines, fees and charges.
Resolution 024-2010
Body
Background:
California Government Code Section 6159 permits the Board of Supervisors to authorize the acceptance of credit cards, debit cards or electronic funds transfers for legally permissible fines, fees and charges. Once the Board authorizes acceptance of these forms of payment, contracts may be executed with one or more credit card issuers, debit card issuers, electronic funds transfer processors, or draft purchasers. Government Code 6159(g) further authorizes the County to impose a fee for the use of such forms of payment, not to exceed the costs incurred by the County.
Reason for Recommendation:
Several departments have expressed an interest in allowing alternative forms of payment for the convenience of the public and for the improved collection and tracking of accounts receivable. Government Code 6159 requires that the Board authorize such payment alternatives and specifies that once approval is obtained, contracts may be executed to facilitate such payments.
Once the proposed resolution is adopted, departments can begin identifying the fines, fees and other charges allowable for alternative form of payment under GC6159(b) and then work with the CAO, Auditor-Controller and Treasurer/Tax Collector to develop and implement the necessary contracts and internal procedures to accept such payments. Fines, fees, debts and charges allowable for alternative forms of payment include filing fees, towage or storage costs, payment of child support, payment for services rendered by the County, and payment of any fee, charge or tax due to the County.
The Chief Administrative Office acknowledges that acceptance of alternative forms of payment will require advance coordination with the Auditor-Controller, Treasurer T...
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