HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005 03 28 Consent 204 RapidPay and Authorization of a Supplemental Appropriation for Service
COMMISSION AGENDA
ITEM 204
CONSENT X
INFORMATIONAL
PUBLIC HEARING
REGULAR
March 28, 2005
Meeting
MGR ~:DEPT~
Authorization
REQUEST: The Finance Department is requesting the City Commission approve the use of
RapidPay and authorize a supplemental appropriation for fiscal year 2004-2005
in the amount of $2,400 to pay for the service.
PURPOSE: The purpose of this Agenda item is to request the City Commission approve the use of
RapidPay and authorize a supplemental appropriation for the service.
CONSIDERATIONS: On August 23, 2004, Informational Agenda Item 303 informed the
Commission that City staff was researching a service offered by Bank of America
called RapidPay. This service would allow Bank of America to accept payments
from multiple bill payment service providers, combine the data and dollars, edit
payment file for incorrect or missing data, and send one file in a format that meets the
City's posting needs. Through this service, electronic bank transactions can be
accepted from payment remittance networks such as MasterCard RPPS, VISA ePay,
and Automated Clearing House. City staff has found that the City's MUNIS Utility
Billing software is unable to accept the daily RapidPay electronic file. The City's
Information Systems Department is working on an enhancement with MUNIS so that
the RapidPay electronic file will soon be able to be downloaded into the MUNIS
Utility Billing software thus eliminating the manual keying of these payments. Due to
the number of residents, approximately 400 per week, who make their utility payments
online and routinely contact the City about their payments being delayed, the service
has begun and the electronic file is manually keyed into the MUNIS Utility Billing
software daily until the automatic download into MUNIS is available. Accepting these
electronic payments via ACH credit has greatly reduced the number of inquiries and/or
complaints regarding delayed customer payments thus increasing customer
satisfaction. This service is being used by approximately 1,400 customers monthly
(out of 12,000) at a cost of approximately $250.00 per month.
Consent Agenda Item 204
March 28, 2005
Page 2 of2
FUNDING: Funding for the ACH service (ACH credit), called Rapid Pay, offered through Bank of
America will be paid for by the Water and Sewer Utility Fund. It is recommended
$300 per month (for February to September 2005) be budgeted for this service in
anticipation of increased demand from current as well as future customers.
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Commission approve the use of ACH
credit acceptance service called RapidPay through Bank of America so that our
residents may pay their utility bills electronically. In addition, it is recommended that
the City Commission authorize a supplemental appropriation in fiscal year 2004-2005
in the amount of $2,400 from the Water and Sewer Utility Fund to the Bank Services
line code (3600-53411). Funding for these services will be placed in the Fiscal Year
2005-2006 Budget submittal.
ATTACHMENTS: N/A
COMMISSION ACTION: