Slide 1

Briefing

Electronic Payment Options

May 14, 2013

William DeAtley, Chief of Accounting

Deborah Hudson, Director-FAS

Slide 2

Introduction

• Charles County has offered Credit card payments

since July 1998.

• Credit card payments have evolved and will

continue to do so.

• Charles County strives to keep pace. We have

expanded the types of payments accepted with

credit/debit cards over time.

• Fiscal and Administrative Services provides

assistance, guidance and recommendations to our

user agencies and departments/divisions.

Slide 3

Current Payment

Options• Charles County’s primary provider for electronic

payments is Govolution, LLC.

• They were selected from a competitive RFP

process that concluded with a contract award in

July 2007. We exercised our renewal option.

• This industry is primarily driven by the major card

companies, VISA and MasterCard. They establish

their interchange rates for electronic payments

among other regulations and standards.

Slide 4

Current Payment

Options, Cont’d• In recent news, VISA, MC and other banks

unexpectedly settled a seven year old lawsuit filed

by the retail industry over fees.

• What does this mean? It allows any business to

implement an additional fee to cover the cost of

processing the electronic payment transaction.

Ex. Purchase of gas, you can see a cash price and a credit price.

• Charles County utilizes a convenience fee model

for Tax and Water/Sewer Payments.

Slide 5

Charles County Electronic Payment Options

Location Provider In-Person Web IVR Phone Absorb Fees?

Treasurer's Office Govolution's

Tax Yes Yes Yes No

Water/Sewer Yes Yes Yes Yes-In Person Only

Parking Tickets Yes Yes n/a Yes

Red Lights Yes Yes n/a Yes

Speed Cameras Yes Yes n/a Yes

Permits Yes n/a n/a Yes

Other Treasury Yes n/a n/a Yes

FARU Govolution's n/a Yes n/a Yes

TCAS Govolution's Yes n/a n/a Yes

VICS Govolution's Yes n/a n/a Yes

Gilbert Run Park* Govolution's Yes n/a n/a Yes

Landfill* Govolution's Yes n/a n/a Yes

White Plains Golf Course ETS Yes n/a n/a Yes

Recreation Plug & Play Yes Yes n/a Yes

Capital Clubhouse Century Bankcard Yes n/a n/a Yes

Economic Summit PayPal n/a Yes n/a Yes

Banner Licenses PayPal n/a Yes n/a Yes

Tourism Events PayPal n/a Yes n/a Yes

* these locations utilize wireless device technology

Slide 6

Current Payment

Options, Cont’d

• Other departmental payments absorb the

transactional charges as part of the annual budget

process for fees and charges. (i.e. FARU, Red

Lights, Speed, etc.)

Slide 7

On-line Banking vs. County

Payment Options

• On-line Bill Pay – Banks choose from several

servicing organizations to process customer

payments.

• When you enroll, the bank will disclose a

disclaimer that payments are converted to check

and take 5-7 days, and/or ACH and take 2 days to

process.

• FAS is currently reviewing information on how to

maximize the amount of these payments by ACH.

Slide 8

Statistics

• In FY2012, Charles County accepted nearly 48,000

credit/debit card transactions in excess of $10

million dollars.

• In FY2013, thru March 31st, Charles County has

accepted nearly 25,000 credit/debit card

transactions alone for Water/Sewer Utility bills.

• We project for FY2013 to top 60,000 total

transactions in excess of $12 million dollars.

Slide 9

In the Works• Charles County is currently testing our own

application to provide electronic billing for

Water/Sewer customers to further encourage

electronic payment.

• FAS routinely evaluates existing and new payment

items for the electronic payment option. Recently,

additional wireless devices were secured for the

Landfill to expedite customers from waiting in line

to enter the facility.

Slide 10

Presented by:

Charles County Government

Department of Fiscal &

Administrative ServicesDeborah E. Hudson, CPA, Director

William G. DeAtley, Chief of Accounting

www.CharlesCountyMD.gov

Mission Statement

The mission of Charles County Government is to

provide our citizens the highest quality service

possible in a timely, efficient, and courteous

manner. To achieve this goal, our government must

be operated in an open and accessible atmosphere,

be based on comprehensive long- and short-term

planning, and have an appropriate managerial

organization tempered by fiscal responsibility.

We support and encourage efforts to grow a

diverse workplace.

Vision Statement

Charles County is a place where all people thrive

and businesses grow and prosper; where the

preservation of our heritage and environment is

paramount, where government services to its

citizens are provided at the highest level of

excellence; and where the quality of life is

the best in the nation.