Algood Updating Payment Software, Morrison Said Money Savings

Online utility and property tax payments will be easier and more cost-efficient after the Algood City Council approved a proposal to update the city’s payment software Tuesday night.

City Administrator Keith Morrison said the city expects this to save residents money when they pay online or through credit card.

“This is a service that will be provided through the software, so we think that will eliminate the need for the outside company which charges customers to process those,” Morrison said. “There may still be some small fees, so we’re still working through that, but we think in the long run, it will save the customers money.”

Morrison said the previous version of the software the city has been using has become obsolete. Morrison said that version of the system is no longer evolving or receiving regular maintenance updates.

Algood will update to Local Government Corporation’s NextGen software which cuts out the third-party payment processing service.

“People who are trained and certified to be able to work on that software are starting to retire and there’s not many left,” Morrison said. “There’s only one, and he’s retiring soon. We need to get up to date.”

He said the city’s annual support and user fee for the new software will be some $27,000. The current software portion of the licensing costs through Local Government Corporation is $33,000, making the switch a financial win for the city and its citizens. Morrison said this will be a gradual transition, so residents should not expect a change right away, but Vice Mayor Luke Hill agreed it is a net win for residents and the city.

In other business, the city voted to surplus several firearms from the Algood Police Department including a Winchester Rifle and a 20-gauge shotgun. Morrison said while a surplus is standard, there is a bit more involved when the city is selling a firearm.

“Typically, the auction company runs those through a local firearms dealer who has the person purchasing it come in and do a background check,” Morrison said. “So they have to go through the whole process as though they are purchasing a new firearm, even though it’s used.”

Algood City Hall will be closed December 27-26, and January 1. City trash will be collected on December 27 instead.