Appropriations committee blocks proposed card-fee increase, extends processor contract; approves homeless trust funding and large pump-station contract

The Miami-Dade County Appropriations Committee on Feb. 11 declined to retroactively approve a credit-card convenience-fee increase proposed by payment processor ACI, then later voted to renew and extend the vendor's contract without the fee increase to maintain online payment services while the county seeks a new billing system vendor. The committee also deferred an item seeking a payroll audit, approved a $5 million homeless-trust allocation, carried a $4.2 million park land acquisition, and awarded a $48 million construction contract for Pump Station 300 after discussion about a single high bid.

The most contested item involved ACI, the county's payment processor for Water and Sewer. Frances Morris, identified in the record as CFO at Water and Sewer, told the committee that ACI offered to honor the existing $3.95 convenience fee for residential customers only while shifting nonresidential accounts to a percentage rate, which could be higher for businesses. Roy Kohler, on the record as a county attorney, warned: "this service will be discontinued if we don't approve their rate, and no longer would you be allowed to pay by credit card or gift card or reward card at Water and Sewer." Commissioner Steinberg said, "for purposes of not having that option for our residents is worse," and moved to approve a motion that ultimately failed in an initial vote. After administration requested reconsideration, the committee voted to renew the item for further consideration and then approved an amended motion to extend the contract under the existing rates (declining to approve the post‑contract fee increase) so ACI could continue processing payments while the county puts a new billing system and…