Effective July 1, 2016, a convenience fee of 2.95% will be applied to all credit and debit card transactions made to any James City County department, including payments made in person, online and by telephone. The departments affected include but are not limited to: the Treasurer’s Office, Parks and Recreation, Building Safety and Permits, Colonial Community Corrections and Planning.
The Treasurer’s Office began accepting credit and debit card payments on taxes, fines and fees in July 2007. In that first fiscal year (FY08), the cost absorbed by the County for accepting these payments was roughly $40,000. Since that time, other departments implemented taking payments by credit card, and the number of these transactions continued to increase. In FY15, the amount absorbed by the County grew to over $320,000. While making payments by credit or debit card is preferred by some citizens, the steady increase in this cost can no longer be absorbed by the County, and therefore, the convenience fee of 2.95% will go into effect for these transactions starting in July.
Any questions or concerns about the convenience fee should be directed to the James City County Treasurer’s Office at 757-253-6705.