Tazewell council previews 3% credit‑card convenience fee and new fraud‑prevention step

Town staff told the Tazewell Town Council on April 8 that the town plans to add a 3% credit‑card convenience fee and has budgeted $25,000 in revenue tied to the change. The council opened a public hearing on an ordinance that would allow the assessment and scheduled the required readings.

The manager‑level staff member leading the budget review (S1) said the convenience fee and a new security option available through the town’s payment processor would both reduce net costs to the town. “So tonight on our agenda, we have a public hearing for a credit card convenience fee,” S1 said, and later asked staff to set the ordinance for the statutory readings.

Jessica (S3), who described the payment‑processing change, said the vendor’s extra verification step requires staff to confirm a payer’s billing address for phone or online transactions — the higher‑risk payments that typically carry a larger merchant fee. “Once we start implementing that, that transaction fee will be less for those transactions,” S3 said, and she offered to collect a precise percentage reduction from the vendor and report back.

A member of the public asked about current card fees during the hearing; the council then closed the public portion and proceeded with budget business. Attorney reading for the first reading of the ordinance described the proposed code language authorizing a convenience fee “of 3% of the charge amount,” citing Virginia Code 15.2‑1427 and the town charter for authority. The council has completed first reading steps and scheduled follow‑up as required by statute.

Next steps: staff will return any vendor cost estimates and the council will take subsequent readings before a final vote. The public record for the ordinance and related materials are available at the municipal office during normal business hours.