HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 7854 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 7854
GNpRTER�
o11�Tw To the Mayor and Members of the City Council August 9, 1994
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rBXPS Subject: AUTOMATED PAY BY PHONE BILL PAYMENT SERVICE
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In response to increasing requests from citizens/customers to satisfy their water accounts
using a personal or corporate credit card, the Water Department researched the feasibility
of adding credit card payment as an additional payment option. The research included initial
sharing of information with the Health Department which currently provides this option for
birth and death records. The Water Department has also discussed this payment system
with the Municipal Courts and the City's Revenue Office of Fiscal Services, and both
indicated an interest in pursuing this option. A Request For Proposal for this service was
released March 1994. Responses were reviewed for compatibility with existing computer
systems and controls to ensure citizens would receive a timely response as well as a
confirmation number when utilizing this option for payment. The selected contractor for this
service is Lockheed IMS. To use this service, citizens will call an advertised 1-800 phone
number and must provide the following.
1. Credit Card Number and Expiration Date
2. Account Number
3. Identify Service to be satisfied
4. Amount to pay
The system will verify authorization of the payment amount and will respond with a
confirmation number. The customer will be informed of the cost prior to initiating the
transaction. The transaction fee of$3.00 per payment will appear on the customer's next
statement from Visa/Mastercard/Discover, etc. Lockheed certifies funds for payment and
authorizes an electronic funds transfer to an account designated by_the City daily.
Implementation of this option will have minimal impact on the Water Department's budget.
Almost all costs of the program will be borne by Lockheed IMS and the customer. The only
expense to the City is the computer programming cost, which is not anticipated to exceed
$1,450. Implementation of this option will enable customers to have payment access 24 hours
a day, 365 days per year.
The Automated Pay-by-Phone system will allow other Departments such as Code
Enforcement, Development, Library etc. to offer this service to their customer base should
they desire to do so.
Presently over 150 state and local governments across the country provide this option to their
citizens. There is never a direct cost of any kind to the government agency that offers this
option. Lockheed provides all equipment, maintenance,supplies,marketing and training at
no charge.
Unless oth ise directed,the Water Department proposes to implement the Automated Pay-
by-P ne a ice no later than October 1, 1994.
l Bob Terr 1
City Manager
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH,TEXAS