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Stevens Point may allow tax payments with credit cards

By GENE KEMMETER
of The Gazette
Stevens Point property owners may be able to pay their property taxes by credit card later this year or next year.

The Stevens Point Finance Committee Monday night supported accepting credit cards for payment, with the cardholders assuming the fee for the transactions.

And to assist those who want to pay after normal business hours, the committee endorsed the installation of a 24-hour envelope depository on the outside of the County-City Building.

Comptroller-Treasurer John Schlice said New Berlin tested the credit card program last year after requests from cardholders who receive rebates and frequent flyer options by using their credit cards.

The office will take Discover and Novus cards in person, Schlice said, but MasterCard and Visa can be used only by telephone to a special number, 1-888-2PAY-TAX.

Normally, the store that accepts a credit card gives the card company a percentage of the charge, he said, but the card companies assess a surcharge to the taxpayer, and that's the reason MasterCard and Visa cardholders have to call the special number.

The surcharges on the Discover and Novus cards are $1 on taxes up to $100, $3 on taxes between $100 and $500, $8 on taxes between $500 and $1,000, $12 on taxes between $1,000 and $1,500 and $15 on taxes above $1,500.

The MasterCard and Visa fee schedule is more, $3 on taxes up to $100 and ranging up $35 for taxes between $1,000 and $1,400, $68 on taxes between $2,000 and $2,700 and $109 on taxes between $3,500 and $4,400.

Committee Chairman Joseph Niedbalski said the city should try the system for a year and then re-evaluate it. He said he feels the city particularly needs to inform taxpayers about the fees.

Accepting credit cards is legal, said City Attorney Louis J. Molepske. "We don't care where the money comes from, just that we get paid."

Schlice said the envelope depository will be a joint effort with Portage County because the County Treasurer's Office and the Clerk of Courts Office also want a box on the county side, so deposits could be made on either side of the building.

In the case of taxes, any deposit in the morning would be considered a timely payment from the previous day, he said.

Installing the boxes will cost between $785 and $1,500, with money coming from the contingency fund, Schlice said.

In other business the committee, subject to Common Council approval next week:

Renewed an agreement with Dan and Juanita Heck to run the Pro Shop in the Willett Arena.

Revised the structure for park prices, covering summer recreation programs, Willett Arena, Copps swimming pool, winter recreation, football/track rental, baseball diamond rental and miscellaneous recreation such as lodge rental. Most of the fees remain constant in 2000 but rise in 2001.

Authorized a feasibility study for a pedestrian walkway at the Church Street underpass.

Agreed to a contract for the design of landscaping for Highway 10 West and the intersection of Main and Clark streets with Minnesota Avenue.

Approved the installation of curb, gutter and sidewalk at 801 Sommers St.



	Stevens Point may allow tax payments with credit cards By GENE KEMMETER of The Gazette Stevens Point property owners may be able to pay their property taxes by credit card later this year or next year. The Stevens Point Finance Committee Monday night supported accepting credit cards for payment, with the cardholders assuming the fee for the transactions. And to assist those who want to pay after normal business hours, the committee endorsed the installation of a 24-hour envelope depository on the outside of the County-City Building. Comptroller-Treasurer John Schlice said New Berlin tested the credit card program last year after requests from cardholders who receive rebates and frequent flyer options by using their credit cards. The office will take Discover and Novus cards in person, Schlice said, but MasterCard and Visa can be used only by telephone to a special number, 1-888-2PAY-TAX. Normally, the store that accepts a credit card gives the card company a percentage of the charge, he said, but the card companies assess a surcharge to the taxpayer, and that's the reason MasterCard and Visa cardholders have to call the special number. The surcharges on the Discover and Novus cards are $1 on taxes up to $100, $3 on taxes between $100 and $500, $8 on taxes between $500 and $1,000, $12 on taxes between $1,000 and $1,500 and $15 on taxes above $1,500. The MasterCard and Visa fee schedule is more, $3 on taxes up to $100 and ranging up $35 for taxes between $1,000 and $1,400, $68 on taxes between $2,000 and $2,700 and $109 on taxes between $3,500 and $4,400. Committee Chairman Joseph Niedbalski said the city should try the system for a year and then re-evaluate it. He said he feels the city particularly needs to inform taxpayers about the fees. Accepting credit cards is legal, said City Attorney Louis J. Molepske. "We don't care where the money comes from, just that we get paid." Schlice said the envelope depository will be a joint effort with Portage County because the County Treasurer's Office and the Clerk of Courts Office also want a box on the county side, so deposits could be made on either side of the building. In the case of taxes, any deposit in the morning would be considered a timely payment from the previous day, he said. Installing the boxes will cost between $785 and $1,500, with money coming from the contingency fund, Schlice said. In other business the committee, subject to Common Council approval next week: Renewed an agreement with Dan and Juanita Heck to run the Pro Shop in the Willett Arena. Revised the structure for park prices, covering summer recreation programs, Willett Arena, Copps swimming pool, winter recreation, football/track rental, baseball diamond rental and miscellaneous recreation such as lodge rental. Most of the fees remain constant in 2000 but rise in 2001. Authorized a feasibility study for a pedestrian walkway at the Church Street underpass. Agreed to a contract for the design of landscaping for Highway 10 West and the intersection of Main and Clark streets with Minnesota Avenue. Approved the installation of curb, gutter and sidewalk at 801 Sommers St.