If you go to pay any Metro bills with a credit card, expect to see a convenience fee starting July 1st. The Metro Council swiftly repealed an ordinance last week that had waived any fees associated with using a credit card.
It was originally passed in 2001 as a way to make paying bills more convenient, but the 2.5-percent fees charged by credit card companies have upended some departmental budgets. In the County Trustee’s office, Charlie Cardwell says folks would pay their property taxes, both personal and for business, and put it all on a credit card – as much as 300-thousand dollars.
“Had a guy last night tell me I’ve screwed up his trip to Greece because he goes to Greece every year and he was paying his taxes by credit card and got enough miles for he and his wife to go to Greece.”
Even under the waiver, the city could charge the credit card fee if people paid online or by mail, but not if they paid in person. And 40-million dollars in property taxes were paid that way, costing the city one-million dollars. The fees forced the Trustee’s office to request an additional half-million from Metro reserves to close the books on the year.
The credit card fees go into effect next month and apply to all Metro entities, including golf courses, Metro Water bills and vehicle tag renewals.
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