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