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Valley Stream staff recommend switching parking meter merchant services to Citizens Bank to cut processing fees
Summary
Village staff told the Board of Trustees that moving parking meter merchant services from TSYS to Citizens Bank could reduce administrative fees by an estimated $800–$1,100 per month; the board agreed to place the contract approval on the next meeting agenda.
Village of Valley Stream staff told the Board of Trustees on a regular meeting that Citizens Bank has proposed replacing the village’s current merchant services provider for parking-meter transactions and could reduce monthly administrative fees.
Michael, a village staff member, said the village currently pays TSYS about $7,500 to $8,000 per month to process credit-card payments for parking meters and Flowbird transactions. “They project that they’re going to be saving us between $800 and $1,100 a month based on our current activity,” Michael said.
The staff presentation said Citizens Bank performed a three-month analysis of the village’s statements and has existing relationships with Flowbird, the parking-payment vendor. Michael said Citizens Bank would handle coordination with Flowbird and that the change would require no extra effort from village staff.
The board did not vote on a contract during the meeting. Michael said the item will appear on the village board agenda for the next meeting and, if approved there, the bank will provide a DocuSign for signature. “We really should DocuSign it when we pass the resolution next Monday night,” Michael said.
Trustees asked how Citizens Bank could reduce costs; Michael said the bank would offer lower per-transaction fees compared with the village’s TSYS rates. The transcript notes the village also explored moving merchant services for DaySmart recreation software but could not because DaySmart’s contract requires use of TSYS.
The board scheduled the contract authorization for the next meeting; staff said they will circulate the DocuSign package and provide a paper copy for the village clerk if the board approves the resolution.
The item will return to the board for formal action at the next meeting; there was no formal vote on merchant services at this session.
