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Utility board weighs payment-processing fees, reviews unaudited finances and approves $59,784.50 carryforward
Summary
The Franklin Water Utility discussed credit-card processing handled by Invoice Cloud, reviewed unaudited fourth-quarter utility finances and approved a resolution to carry forward $59,784.50 from the 2023 budget to buy a utility vehicle for 2025.
At the meeting, the Franklin Water Utility reviewed billing operations, unaudited fourth-quarter financials and approved a budget amendment to carry forward funds from 2023 for a utility vehicle.
On payment processing, staff explained the city uses Invoice Cloud to accept online credit-card payments and that Invoice Cloud posts payments automatically to the utility’s billing system. Staff said Invoice Cloud charges a processing fee (staff cited ~3.95% for card transactions) and that the vendor retains the processing fee rather than the city. Board discussion focused on whether to absorb processing fees as a general operating expense and build the cost into utility rates—staff said doing so would spread the cost across all ratepayers, reduce in-office payment transactions and could increase uptake of online payments. Staff noted the subscription portion of Invoice Cloud is covered by the city as an operational expense.
Finance staff presented unaudited fourth-quarter utility billing results: total gallons were roughly 4% under budget and collections were about 3.5% under budget for the period; operating revenue versus expenditures for the period were approximately $3,000 in operating loss (unaudited). Staff said bond proceeds for the water tower project have been spent and that water impact fees and cash on hand are being used to cover ongoing project costs. Staff and board discussed potential timing for a rate case and noted pilot payments tied to large projects could affect revenues.
The board adopted a resolution to amend the 2025 annual budget for the Franklin Water Utility, carrying forward unspent funds from the 2023 annual budget to provide an appropriation associated with purchase of a utility vehicle in the amount of $59,784.50. The transcript records a motion, a second and a unanimous voice vote: “Aye. Motion carried.” The minutes record that the carryforward is from 2023 (not 2024).
Votes at a glance: - Approval of minutes from Feb. 19 — motion moved and seconded; voice vote recorded as "Aye. Motion carried." (mover/second not specified in transcript). - Approval of March voucher list — motion moved and seconded; voice vote recorded as "Aye. Motion carried." (mover/second not specified). - Resolution to amend 2025 annual budget to carry forward $59,784.50 from 2023 for purchase of a utility vehicle — motion moved and seconded; voice vote recorded as "Aye. Motion carried." (mover/second not specified).
Board members and staff said they will continue working on rate-case timing and will revisit whether to absorb card-processing fees as part of a future rate filing or within the next rate case cycle.
