Ishpeming rolls out new credit card payment system
ISHPEMING — Ishpeming residents now have a new way to pay their utility bills and property taxes.
The city rolled out Point & Pay, a third-party payment system, last week. It allows residents to pay their bills online or over the telephone.
The city decided to implement the new system after residents called a few times a week wanting to pay with credit cards and to reduce foot traffic coming into City Hall.
“So far, it’s been a very good experience,” Ishpeming finance director Jim Lampman said. “We’re processing credit card payments online, over the telephone, we have an 800 number that residents can call and we’re also taking collections at the window. We’re trying to embrace technology. Credit cards aren’t going away, they’re going to be the wave of the future. Fewer and fewer people are using cash, so we’re just trying to keep up with the times.”
Lampman said using the new credit card payment system is no different than using a credit card online.
“We take their basic information. If they want to pay online or over the phone we’ll need their utility bill account number or their parcel number if they’re paying their property taxes, but other than that we just need your name, your phone number, your credit card information and we process the payment accordingly,” Lampman said. “We expect that usage will increase as people become more knowledgeable that this option does exist.”
The Point & Pay system will charge a convenience fee of 3% for each transaction.
More information on the new system can be found on the City of Ishpeming’s website.