Committee backs $150,000 appropriation to cover rising credit‑card fees; staff to study consumer convenience charges

Everett City’s Ways and Means Committee on May 13 gave a favorable recommendation for a $150,000 appropriation from the general fund to cover the city’s credit‑card processing fees for the remainder of the fiscal year, and directed staff to study expanding card acceptance with consumers paying any convenience charge.

The appropriation request, introduced by committee leadership, was presented as needed to cover credit‑card expenses. CFO Mr. Demas told the committee the city’s total card fees this year are expected to be “right around $410,000 $412,000,” and said last year’s fees were roughly “in the $260,000 range.” Those figures were given as estimates during the meeting.

Committee members expressed concern about the rising cost. Councilor DePiro said the fees are “starting to get quite exorbitant” and suggested the city consider “passing it back off to the consumer.” Councilor Alsair Giboun asked why some city services do not accept cards, noting that items such as certain stickers and in‑person transactions still require cash.

Chief of Staff Ms. Deveny explained staff concerns about chargebacks and disputed payments: “people would make a payment and then they would stop the payment and they would dispute the payment. So they’d get the benefit of the service, but then we wouldn’t get the benefit of the payment,” she said, describing that risk as a factor in limiting card acceptance for some incidental transactions.

Staff and the treasurer were asked to study options that could expand card acceptance while mitigating risk and presenting fees clearly at checkout. Mr. Demas said the treasurer is reviewing payment methods and vendor arrangements; he and staff will return with a recommendation to the committee.

Councilor Garcia suggested an approach used in other retail settings: offer customers a flat cash price and display the card fee so customers can choose the payment method at the point of sale. Staff said the online payment interface could show the fee and offer residents a choice.

After discussion, the committee moved for a favorable recommendation on the $150,000 appropriation. The motion passed on a voice vote with one member recorded in opposition; the chair announced, “The ayes have it.” The committee then excused the guests and adjourned. Staff will report back with an analysis and recommendation on expanding card acceptance and implementing consumer convenience fees.