And why do credit cards cost a "huge amount" to process? That's my point. Someone is making lots of money moving around ones and zeros. That's what's bullshit.
The 3% does not go to the city. It goes to the banks.
When I went to pay my $62 excise tax bill, a $3 'convenience fee' was added to the shopping cart before I even got to the page where I chose my type of payment. I tried to do an e-check through my bank and the $3 fee remained. I had no intention of paying with a credit card. Maybe there was just some glitch for me, but that was my experience. That's where I'm coming from.
When I said "Bills paid online should be reduced" I was referring to an e-check/bill pay transfer. There is no way it costs more to accept my money electronically from my local bank compared to having someone manually open and process envelopes and paper checks. I would think Somerville would prefer every single tax and fee be electronically swept into their accounts, rather than paying staff to handle paper.
RE: $3 is for credit card payments
The 3% does not go to the city. It goes to the banks.
When I went to pay my $62 excise tax bill, a $3 'convenience fee' was added to the shopping cart before I even got to the page where I chose my type of payment. I tried to do an e-check through my bank and the $3 fee remained. I had no intention of paying with a credit card. Maybe there was just some glitch for me, but that was my experience. That's where I'm coming from.
When I said "Bills paid online should be reduced" I was referring to an e-check/bill pay transfer. There is no way it costs more to accept my money electronically from my local bank compared to having someone manually open and process envelopes and paper checks. I would think Somerville would prefer every single tax and fee be electronically swept into their accounts, rather than paying staff to handle paper.