City OKs automated bill payment kiosk

By PAUL STONE Palestine Herald-Press-April 27,2010

Local residents may soon have the option of convenience after the Palestine City Council on Monday approved authorizing the city manager to request proposals for an automated bill payment kios

City Finance Director Bobby Pennington explained the kiosk would be located at City Hall “at the drive-through where we make utility payments.”

Early estimates show the machine costing approximately $25,000, but the city would “save quite a bit of money” in the long run based on the lack of need for staffing the drive-through window, he indicated.

Pennington estimated annual maintenance costs for the machine at approximately $3,700 a year.

“The kiosk would be 24/7 payments (for utilities),” Pennington said. “It could also be used for municipal court payments...Basically, it’s to provide the public more access to the city.”

The kiosk would also have placement for advertising, giving the city a way to offset some of the associated costs, he added.

“I think this would be a great tool for the city,” Pennington said.

In response to a question from Council Member Vickey L. Chivers, the city’s finance director said the kiosk would be able to accept credit cards, debit cards and cash.

“The purpose of putting it in the drive-through is ultimately to save the city money,” Councilman Steve Presley stated. “...If they want to see a person, they’ll have to come inside.”

Ultimately, Pennington said city officials would like to see a second kiosk placed at a remote location such as the new site of the Palestine Public Library which will be located in the city’s PREP Center at the Palestine Mall.