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Representatives from CertifiedIT discussed establishing a means for the county to allow credit card payments for property taxes during Tuesday's Kosciusko County commissioners meeting.
County government cannot set up a credit card payment system. They can, however, hire a company to provide the service.
Christy Mehrlich and Bill Maegerlein of CertifiedIT, Bloomington, said they charge a 2.75 percent fee on each payment. Sixty percent of that fee goes to the county; 40 percent is collected by CertifiedIT.
Auditor Sue Ann Mitchell said many property owners have requested to pay taxes by debit or credit card and are always told they cannot because of state laws.
Ordinarily, County Treasurer Kent Adams would present such a program. He was absent due to illness, Mitchell said.
The program, called FreedomPay, has been established in Allen, Elkhart, Whitley and Daviess counties.
"Taxpayers will be able to view a detailed listing of their taxes, broken down into tax type, annual fees, balance due and any delinquent fees," Mehrlich said.
A Web site for the payments will be established.
The commissioners approved the program and will recommend it to the county council.
The commissioners signed a resolution to designate this week as Purple Heart Week, as requested by military veteran Don Guard.
The board also:
• Received one bid for repairs to Bridge 12 over the Tippecanoe River in Oswego. Pioneer Associates' bid of $85,236 is under review.
• Approved a stop sign ordinance for streets in Copperwood Estates subdivision at the corner of CRs 225S and 75E.
• Heard from highway department superintendent Dennis Pletcher that a public auction will be Saturday at the highway garage beginning at 10 a.m.
Items from drug task force seizures and unclaimed property kept in sheriff's storage also will be available for bids. A number of vehicles including dump trucks will be available for sale starting at 11:30 a.m.
Commissioners are Avis Gunter, Brad Jackson and Ron Truex.
