Council approves two outdoor municipal payment kiosks after price increase explained

The Independence City Council approved the purchase of two municipal payment kiosks for utility payments on Jan. 21, voting 7-0 to authorize the expenditure.

Staff and council members said the kiosks will allow residents to make after-hours payments and to use cash, check or card similarly to an ATM. The units are intended to be placed at the new Municipal Commons building on Jackson Drive, and two outdoor kiosks were ordered after testing an indoor prototype.

Deputy City Manager Lisa Reynolds told the council the price increase resulted from ordering two outdoor-rated kiosks instead of a single indoor kiosk: “We got it. It's an indoor kiosk and it was to be tested… When that checked out, we went ahead and pursued the order for 2 outside kiosks. The outdoor kiosks are a little more costly, and then of course there are 2 of them instead of the 1 original, so that's what tipped it over the $100,000 mark.”

Council member McCandless asked whether the kiosks would accept non-electronic payment; staff confirmed they will accept deposits such as cash and checks in addition to card payments. City staff said the kiosks will also allow customers to make after-hours payments where the new Municipal Commons building will lack a drive-through option.

Vote and next steps The council approved the item by roll call, 7-0. Staff said the kiosks will be installed at the Municipal Commons site and operational testing will follow prior to public use.

Ending: Staff said kiosks are intended to preserve an option for in-person and after-hours payments for residents who prefer or need non-electronic payment methods.