City plans self-pay kiosk

Feb. 10--SAN BENITO -- Residents here could soon have a new, convenient way to pay their utility bills and even court fines -- a walk-up or drive-up self-pay kiosk.

City commissioners have voted to approve implementation of the multifunctional payment kiosk pending a review of the contract by the city attorney.

The kiosk would provide citizens with easier options for paying utility bills, court fines and other fees. City officials say that to their knowledge, this would be the first kiosk of its kind in the Rio Grande Valley.

It would be located at City Hall.

"It can receive in-person payments. People can walk up and make payments or they can drive up and make payments to it," said Martha McClain, the city's public affairs coordinator.

"They have the ability to make their payments 24 hours a day, seven days a week, cash or credit card. This is one more convenience for the people of San Benito."

The kiosk provides a printed receipt for all transactions processed in English or Spanish as proof of payment.

"The monthly cost to the City is $850, however, it substantially reduces the cost of receiving in–person payments and provides a self service solution without interaction from customer service personnel," says a City Hall memo to the mayor and city commissioners.

The kiosk has an added benefit to residents, officials said.

"In fact, the kiosk can also accept payments for Texas Gas Service, Magic Valley Electric Cooperative, American Electric Power, Time Warner Cable, Direct TV, DISH Network, AT&T/SBC, AT&T Verse, Sprint Wireless and Sam's Club," the memo says.

"Additional biller categories include, but (are) not limited to, insurance, telecom and financial services."

City Manager Manuel Lara said a constant complaint the city receives is that city offices close early, so the kiosk would be convenient for residents.

Finance Director Danny Coyle said the kiosk won't replace anyone who is already working in their designated positions.

The only stipulation the commission had at a meeting this past week would be to review the contract for the kiosk.

Commissioner Joe Gonzales said the city needs to make sure it has an escape clause just in case anything happens and the city wants out. Gonzales also suggested a camera be added to the kiosk to safely monitor it.

In other agenda items, commissioners voted to table the discussion and action on the approval of lighting fixtures for the funded phase one lighting project for Heavin Resaca Trail to another meeting, approved the new artwork on the Welcome to San Benito signs and incorporated it as the new official city logo, approved the creation of a switchboard operator position and gave approval for the city to participate in the Council of Cities, Cameron County, Texas Hazard Mitigation Plan.

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