Commission weighs whether to replace, relocate or remove utility payment kiosk

Finance staff presented a review of the city’s utility payment kiosk, which was installed in June 2016 and processed 14,288 payments totaling $2,388,635.37 over its life. Staff emphasized declining kiosk functionality in 2022–24 (check processing failure, inability to give change, weather-related outages) and noted that in 2023 the kiosk accounted for about 1.2% of total transactions.

The presentation broke down payment types: roughly 25% of kiosk transactions were cash, 6% checks, and 69% credit cards across the device’s life. Staff also provided lifetime and annual cost figures, including an estimated $7,100 in ongoing annual support and gateway fees and per-transaction credit-card processing costs the city currently absorbs.

Commissioners discussed options: replace the outdoor unit with a weatherproof model; move a kiosk to an indoor wall-mounted or interior freestanding location accessible from outside the building; rehabilitate the existing unit; or remove it and rely on alternative payment methods (online payments, drop box, mail and third‑party retail locations). Commissioners raised equity concerns for cash‑paying customers who may lack bank accounts and rely on after‑hours options.

Staff proposed seeking more vendor comparisons, auditing possible indoor locations (including an in‑wall mount near the City Hall entrance), and researching whether third-party businesses accept utility payments. Commissioners directed staff to gather more vendor information and cost estimates and to evaluate secure off-site collection and transport options if an external payment location is considered.

Next steps: staff will collect additional vendor proposals and costed options (indoor vs. outdoor, repair vs. replacement) and report back to the commission.