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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPO 7298 AUTHORIZING THE ACCEPTANCE OF CREDIT AND DEBIT CARDS OR OTHER ELECTRONIC MEANS AS PAYMENT OF FEE, FINES, COURT COST AND OTHER CHARGES; PROVIDE FOR A REIMBURSEMENT FEE FOR PROCESSING THE PAYMENT PO 7298 11/08/2024 RPC ORDINANCE NO. AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR,TEXAS TO AUTHORIZE THE ACCEPTANCE OF CREDIT AND DEBIT CARDS OR OTHER ELECTRONIC MEANS AS PAYMENT OF FEE,FINES,COURT COSTS AND OTHER CHARGES;PROVIDE FOR A REIMBURSEMENT FEE FOR PROCESSING THE PAYMENT; PROVIDE FOR DEPOSIT OF THE REIMBURSEMENT FEES INTO THE CITY'S GENERAL FUND; PROVIDE FOR PUBLICATION;PROVIDE FOR SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; PROVIDE AN EFFECTIVE DATE; AND ORDAINING OTHER MATTERS RELATED TO THE FOREGOING. WHEREAS, Chapter 132 of the Texas Local Government Code authorizes the governing body of a municipality to authorize a municipal officer who collects fees,fines,court costs and other charges to accept payment by credit card or other electronic means and to collect a reimbursement fee for processing the payment; WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Port Arthur, Texas ("City Council") has determined that acceptance of credit and debit cards or other electronic means is beneficial to the City and its citizens because it provides greater flexibility in methods of payment and will promote prompt payment of fees, fines,court costs and other charges; WHEREAS,the City Council recognizes that the City will incur additional expenses to accept payment by credit, debit or other electronic means for various fees, fines, and other charges and shall set the reimbursement fee in an amount that is reasonably related to the expenses incurred. However, the City Council shall not set the reimbursement fee in an amount that exceeds five percent of the fee, fine, court costs or other charges being paid. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR,TEXAS: SECTION 1. Use of Credit Cards,Debit Cards,or Other Electronic Means for Payment Due to the City, is hereby added to the City of Port Arthur Code of Ordinances to read as follows: (a) Each officer employed by the City of Port Arthur who, as part of that employment, collected fees, fines, court costs, or other charges from members of the public that are due the City is authorized to accept credit cards, debit cards, or other electronic means as payment for such feeds, fines, court costs and other charges. (b) For each fee, fine, court costs, or other charge that is paid by credit card, debit card, or other electronic means, the officer collecting same shall also collect a processing fee in an amount equal to % of the amount of the fee, fine, and other charges, as authorized by Section 132.003(b),Texas Local Government Code. PO 7298 11/08/2024 RPC (c) If for any reason a payment by credit card,debit card,or other electronic means is not honored by the company or which the funds are drawn,the officer shall collect from the member of the public who attempted to pay by credit or debit card an additional service charge in an amount equal to the free then being charges for the collection of a check drawn on an account with insufficient funds,as authorized by Section 132.005,Texas Local Government Code. (d) Processing fees and services charges collected pursuant to this ordinance shall be deposited in the general fund of the City, as provide by Section 132.006,Texas Local Government Code. SECTION 2. That the City Secretary of the City of Port Arthur,Texas is hereby authorized and directed to cause a true and correct copy of the caption of this Ordinance to be published in a newspaper having general circulation in the City of Port Arthur,Texas. SECTION 3. That this Ordinance, as amended,will remain in full force and effect,and save and except as amended by this Ordinance. SECTION 4. That should any part, sentence, or phrase of this Ordinance is determined to be unlawful, void, or unenforceable, the validity of the remaining portions of this Ordinance shall not be adversely affected.No portion of this Ordinance shall fail or become inoperative by reason of the invalidity or any other part.All provisions of this Ordinance are declared to be severable. SECTION 5. That this Ordinance shall take effect on January 1,2025 and it is accordingly ordained. FINALLY ENACTED THIS day of November, 2024 at a regular meeting of the Elective Council of the City of Port Arthur, Texas at which a quorum was present and which was held in accordance with TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE,TITLE 5, SUBTITLE A,CHAPTER 551. • CITY OF PORT ARTHUR, TEXAS Thurman Bill Bartie,Mayor ATTEST TO: Sherri Bellard,City Secretary APPROVED AS TO FORM: Roxann Pais Cotroneo, City Attorney