PayGOV LLC has announced that Washington Municipal Utilities has signed an agreement with the company. The city of Washington joins the Daviess County Clerk-Treasurer and several Indiana cities and towns already working with PayGOV.US, a leading provider of electronic payment options based in Indianapolis and is a 2009 Indiana Companies to Watch Award Winner.
The agreement enables Washington citizens to pay utility payments by credit or debit card at the utility office, over the Internet (www.washingtonin.us) or via PayGOV.US’s 24/7 LIVE operators at 866-480-8552. The new service expands the ability of the utility office to serve customers by accepting payments 24/7/365.
Washington Municipal Utilities office staff has long realized the need to provide this service to its customers. Many consumers have never been informed that there is a fee, known as a discount fee, paid by any merchant who enlists to accept any of the major card brands for payment.
With increasing profit their singular goal, credit card companies charge both the consumer and the merchant for the “privilege” of accepting or using their card brand. These fees, often lamented as the “cost of doing business,” are significantly affecting both rising consumer prices and the ability for small businesses to succeed.
In a normal business setting, the merchant can simply raise the prices of their goods or services to cover the cost of accepting electronic payments.
In the government sector, however, State Law demands the receipt of 100 percent of what is owed. In compliance with the Indiana State Board of Accounts, the PayGOV.US solution is designed to address these complicated issues.
PayGOV.US assesses a nominal convenience fee for processing these transactions. American Express, MasterCard, Discover and VISA along with debit cards carrying a MasterCard or Visa are accepted by the program.
Citizens using credit cards with bonus rewards programs can, depending on their card’s program, earn rewards, points and cash-back on airline frequent flyer miles.
Fees are as follows: 3 percent for all point of sale (over the counter) transactions, with a minimum $2 fee for transactions under $67; 3.95 percent for all Internet transactions, with a minimum $2.50 fee; 4.95 percent for all telephone transactions, with a minimum $3 fee.
For more information, contact Anita Ash at aash@washingtonin.us, or call 254-5171.
