The Carroll City Council held their virtual meeting on Monday night, and addressed two local items related to the impact of COVID-19. City Manager, Mike Pogge-Weaver, explained to council members that two modifications were being requested related to utility bills. The first consideration was a waiver of late fees for those payments.
The second item brought before the council was an extension for the suspension of credit card processing fees on utility payments. Since the fall of 2014, the city has been collecting a fee of 2.5 percent for face-to-face transactions and $2.50 for online processing.
Councilman, Jerry Fleshner, asked about the percentage of people who have elected to have Automated Clearing House (ACH) payments drawn directly from their bank account. Currently, roughly 45 percent of the population has signed up for this automatic payment program. Fleshner and LaVern Dirkx wanted to make sure people realize this is an option that has no associated fees now or at any other time. The city had also charged fees for memberships and classes at the Carroll Rec Center through March, but were now considering waiving these as the closure has been extended from March 17 until the end of April by order of the governor.
The resolution also included language that would allow Pogge-Weaver to issue additional pre-authorized monthly payments (PAMP) waivers if the closure is extended past May 15. The council unanimously approved all recommendations.
