Councilman Duncan Harrison is proposing that the city begin accepting credit card payments
TRENTON -- Councilman Duncan Harrison now wants to offer residents and businesses the convenience of paying with plastic.
The city collects fees for various licenses, registrations and permits, but people are limited to paying by cash, money order or check. Online payments are accepted for property taxes, water and sewer bills and landlord licenses, but only with a checking account, prompting Harrison to propose that the city brings on a credit card processing vendor.
"I believe there is a more efficient manner to collect these payments that benefits everyone," Harrison said. "We need to better embrace technology that streamlines government operations and improves customer service."
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He said the addition of a credit card processing system would not add extra expenses to the city's budget because a convenience fee that is paid to the vendor would be tacked on to each transaction.
He pointed to neighboring municipalities, such as East Windsor, Hamilton, Ewing, Princeton and West Windsor, that already accept credit card payments with convenience fees ranging from 2.45 to 2.9 percent per transaction.
Harrison has already been in talks with the Mayor Eric Jackson and the administration about his proposal.
"I look forward to more discussions and then tangible action that will improve the experience of those who do business with the City of Trenton," he said.
Cristina Rojas may be reached at crojas@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @CristinaRojasTT. Find The Times of Trenton on Facebook.