[Simone Fisher]

Hi,
It appears allot of our ratepayers watch the news & we have been receiving enquiries regarding the legitimacy of credit card payment fees/surcharges. Have any Councils given much consideration to the Service NSW predicament & if/how it may impact Councils or is anyone planning on obtaining legal/auditor advice on if there are any impacts for Councils?
Thanks
Simone

[Andrew Butcher]

Hi Simone

Given that I live in your council area I could be bias in my response.

From what I know the issue with Service NSW was that they did not offer alternative payment options for online services, such as BPAY which no longer charge an MSF for credit card payments.

The Reserve Bank rules allow the passing on of an MSF provided your customers (ratepayers) can pay using alternatives that do not attract an MSF, such as cash cheque OTC EFTPOS or by BPAY.

I have always resisted the removal on the basis that council (ratepayers) will incure large MSF fees from DA payments.

Hope this is helpful.

Regards,
Andrew

[Peter ODonnell]

Some years ago Junee Shire Council removed all credit card charges.

At the time I am sure all non-statutory fees were increases by an extra 1% or similar, effectively incorporating the bank fee into the Councils standard fees & charges.

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