Fort Pierce Utilities Authority to begin passing card-processing convenience fees to customers

Pearl Davis was sworn in at the meeting before the board voted to approve a contract amendment that lets Fort Pierce Utilities Authority begin passing card-processing fees to customers.

Michelle Harris, FPUA finance manager, told the board that FPUA has seen rapid growth in payment processing costs since 2021 and that “credit card fees, they’re they’re never gonna decrease.” She said about 75 percent of processing costs are attributable to card fees and roughly half of transactions are paid by card, leaving non‑card customers to subsidize those costs.

Tim, a senior representative from Invoice Cloud, presented data showing digital adoption at FPUA has risen — 77 percent of payments were digital in the fourth quarter — and forecast a five‑year baseline cost of roughly $4.02 million for the digital payments program if no service fee is applied. He said the vendor’s recommended hybrid model would introduce a 2.5 percent service fee for residential card transactions and 3.5 percent for commercial card transactions, with minimums of $1.95 and $2.95 respectively. Invoice Cloud estimated the hybrid model could reduce FPUA’s five‑year net program cost by about $2.57 million.

Board members raised operational and consumer‑protection questions during a detailed Q&A. Commissioners asked whether text‑to‑pay could prefill ACH options and how the utility would reach autopay customers who might not open billing notifications. Invoice Cloud said the platform can prioritize ACH as the default payment option, target communications to subsets of customers, and provide marketing and automated notices to reduce the likelihood of surprise charges.

Several board members noted concerns about customers who use cards to earn rewards or to manage timing of payments. Invoice Cloud and staff said communications would emphasize that the fee is charged by the payment processor, not FPUA, and that free ACH/eCheck options will remain available. Staff said they will meet individually with board members to present a rollout and communications plan before implementation; Invoice Cloud and staff discussed a 90‑day (roughly three billing cycles) outreach window and targeted April as a model launch date.

After discussion, the board moved and approved the contract amendment by roll call. Mrs. Bennett, Mrs. Davis, Mrs. Gibbons, Mayor Hudson and Chair Fee voted yes. Staff said the amendment will be implemented through the existing Invoice Cloud arrangement and that ACH/eCheck and other no‑cost options will remain free.