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Richland County Board approves ATM contract for courthouse after debate over fees and term
Summary
The Richland County Board voted to accept a contract with J and J Ventures to place an ATM in the courthouse after members debated a five-year term, relocation and termination fees, and 24-hour availability clauses. The motion passed with four yes votes, two no votes and one abstention.
The Richland County Board on Feb. 13 voted to approve a contract with J and J Ventures to install an automated teller machine in the county courthouse after a contentious discussion about contract terms and vendor servicing.
Supporters said an on-site ATM would streamline payments on the traffic docket and allow people to complete pleas and pay fines without returning later. "A lot of people come in on their first appearance ... and so if that were convenient in the courthouse, I think what our practice would be is say, we can do your plea, go get the money, pay cash, and not have to come back another day to pay," said a board speaker arguing for the device.
Opponents raised procedural and substantive concerns: several members said they had not received or reviewed the current contract draft; others questioned the five-year initial term, the $100 disconnection/relocation fee, and a termination charge formula tied to average monthly transaction revenue. The board discussed vaulting and bolting requirements and whether drilling or permanent alterations would be necessary; staff said the modified contract removed drilling requirements and the grant would cover powering the unit.
The vendor was identified in the discussion as "J and J Ventures." Board members also noted the contract includes a $3.50 total transaction fee, from which the county would receive $1 per transaction under the proposed arrangement.
After a motion and second, the board recorded votes by roll-call statements on the record: Dee Chenard voted yes, Morgan Hinton yes, Cindy Giddens no, Alexis McMartin abstained, Bridal Van Blurgham no, and Dennis Graves yes. The chair stated four affirmative votes were sufficient and declared the motion carried.
The board did not record additional formal amendments in the meeting minutes; members who had outstanding questions asked staff to circulate the full contract for any members who had not yet reviewed it. The board then moved to executive session later in the meeting.
