BoCC Study Session
January 25, 2016
Board Summary Report
Date:
1/14/16
To:
Board of County Commissioners
Through:
Sue Sandstrom, Treasurer
From:
Michael Wallace, Deputy Treasurer
Subject:
E-Payments
Direction/Information: The Treasurer’s Office is providing information collected on the various epayments solutions researched and reviewed to replace our current vendor, Official Payments (now ACI
Worldwide) with Point and Pay.
Request and Recommendation
Based on our research, the Treasurer’s Office recommends using Point and Pay to replace current
provider, Official Payments
Background
The Treasurer’s Office offers customers the option to pay property taxes electronically via electronic
checks and credit cards online or over the phone. This service is provided through a third party which is
responsible for collecting and disbursing the e-payment transactions as well as for banking PCI
compliances. The third party vendor charges fees which, for our office, are passed through to the user.
Our current e-payment provider, Official Payment, has provided sub-par service that affects our customers
as well as our office operations. Since Official Payments was bought out by ACI, the Treasurer’s Office
has encountered consistent issues with the vendor involving delay of deposits, customer service outages,
and website outages as well as reporting issues. These serious issues prompted the Treasurer’s Office to
seek alternative options.
Links to Align Arapahoe
Replacing our current provider will demonstrate Fiscal Responsibility and Service First. Fiscal
Responsibility is accomplished as our funds will be deposited by Point and Pay in 3 days vs. up to 6 days
for other vendors, allowing for the Treasurer’s Office to maximize cash flow. Service First is
accomplished as our tax payers will not be inconvenienced by a third party vendor’s issues by going with a
more reliable vendor.
Discussion
The issues encountered with our current e-payment vendor Official Payments has caused problems not
only to taxpayers, but to the Treasurer’s Office. Attached is the analysis of potential replacements and
their pay/fee structures. While there are many providers in the industry our focus was on vendors catering
to government clients. Of the providers interviewed and researched, Point and Pay offers all the services
and requirements needed by our office.
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BoCC Study Session
January 25, 2016
Alternatives
Alternatives include the other vendors interviewed, or continuing with our current vendor.
Fiscal Impact
Selecting Point and Pay as our vendor will reduce the time deposits are received, allowing for the
Treasurer’s Office to capitalize on it to maximize funds.
Attorney Comments
If appropriate, include this section.
Reviewed By:
Although physical signatures are not required, the BSR must still be reviewed by all necessary
departments prior to submitting. You MUST provide sufficient time for finance and county attorneys to
review your document prior to being submitted. The names of the individuals that have approved must be
listed below.
Michelle Clare, Accounting Coordinator, Treasurer’s Office
Michael Wallace, Deputy Treasurer
Sue Sandstrom, Treasurer
Todd Weaver, Finance
John Christofferson, Deputy County Attorney
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