Highland Park council adopts citywide policy for accepting credit and debit card payments after extended debate

The Highland Park City Council on July 21 adopted a resolution establishing procedures for the city's collection of credit and debit card payments after extended discussion about who should control payment systems and how to protect cardholder data.

City Council members said the move responds to a repeated audit finding and will create a baseline procedure while allowing amendments later. The motion to bring the item off the table and to adopt the resolution was made by Councilwoman Manuka and carried on roll call.

The resolution follows a recommendation by the city's auditor, Alan Panter of Yeo & Yeo. Council members cited the auditor's report as the reason to approve a written policy now. "That is what is before you tonight," Panter told the council during the discussion.

Why it matters: Council members said the city lacked a formal policy for accepting electronic payments, a deficiency flagged in audits. Supporters said adopting a policy now remedies that deficiency and creates internal controls for departments that accept card payments; opponents said the draft as written gives too much operational authority to the finance director and should preserve the…