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San Juan County to move bill‑pay and warrants to Alpine Bank, end paper warrants and add online fee payments
Summary
County staff told commissioners they will transition accounts and vendor payments to Alpine Bank in spring, eliminate paper warrants for commissioners by requiring direct deposit for remaining payees, and add an online payment button for fees and permits.
San Juan County leaders approved a plan to migrate county banking and bill‑payment operations to Alpine Bank, county staff said at the Feb. 1 meeting. The move will remove paper warrants from most vendor processes, introduce an online fee‑payment option for the county website and require the remaining commissioners who receive paper checks to move to direct deposit.
County finance staff described the migration as a multi‑step project that should be complete in April or May. Under the new system, QuickBooks payment files will upload directly into Alpine Bank for batch payments. The bank will offer an online “fee pay” button so residents and businesses can pay permits, marriage licenses and other non‑tax county fees with a credit or debit card. Staff said Alpine Bank may charge a platform fee but could waive ongoing transaction fees if the county maintains a minimum balance.
Staff explained that the transition will require a short implementation and training window; the bank will provide on‑site training. Commissioners were told that some internal business processes and contingency authorizations will need updating to ensure continuity if an office head is indisposed. The county will also need to coordinate with Social Services on any specific payment requirements.
Ending: Commissioners supported the modernization plan and asked county staff to prepare procedures for backup approvals and to notify employees and payees about the change and direct‑deposit requirement for remaining check recipients.
