County treasurer proposes outsourcing statement mailings and consolidating payment vendors to cut costs

Treasurer Joni Reed presented a proposal to outsource the county’s tax-statement mailing process and to consolidate online payment vendors during the June 21 meeting. Reed said the treasurer’s office spent $9,591 on postage from September through December last year and received a vendor quote under $10,000 to handle statement mailing, envelopes and return envelopes, which she said could free staff time and reduce costs.

Reed said the treasurer’s office currently uses three separate vendors for payments — Pay It (vehicle tags), NIC (tax payments) and E-Gov (miscellaneous credit-card payments) — and she is exploring reducing that number to cut complexity. She noted that switching vendors may carry transition fees (she cited a potential $500 monthly waiting fee if contracts delay rollout) but said per-transaction fees paid by customers (processing and card fees) would remain similar.

Reed cautioned that actual budget savings will be clearer next budget cycle and asked commissioners for feedback; no formal action was taken. She said she will continue contract discussions and return with details as needed.