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Bethlehem City Council approves 3% credit-card surcharge and adopts matching policy
Summary
The Bethlehem City Council voted to charge a 3% fee on credit-card payments and adopted a credit-card policy that incorporates the surcharge, aiming to offset merchant-processing costs; the council approved both measures by voice vote.
The Bethlehem City Council voted to add a 3% surcharge on credit-card transactions and adopted a credit-card policy containing that language.
Council members discussed whether a uniform 3% fee was an appropriate approach to cover processing costs. The chair said the 3% fee is "pretty standard at other businesses" and put the motion; council members seconded and approved the change by voice vote. Later in the meeting the council voted to adopt the policy with the 3% language included.
Supporters said the fee would cover bank charges and help the town avoid absorbing merchant-processing costs. One council member noted that the 3% rate should capture the bank fees and simplify accounting. Council recorded no opposing vote in the meeting record.
The policy and fee apply to routine credit-card payments in town-managed transactions; the council did not specify exemptions during the discussion. The council indicated staff should finalize policy language and implement the charge in town payment systems.
The council moved on to other agenda items after adopting the policy.
