E-Billing Proposal in Pulaski County Convenient, But Costly Some Say

The Pulaski County Treasurer's office could soon be going paperless, sending you an electronic bill to pay your taxes.

But while it may save the county money, it could cost you more to pay online.

"I still think a stamp and a check is the way to go," said Evelyn Parker.

Although Evelyn Parker is pretty tech savvy, when it comes to paying her taxes at the Pulaski County Collector's Office, she still does things the old-fashioned way.

"I usually mail them in in installments," Parker said.

But soon, Pulaski County Treasurer Debra Buckner hopes to give taxpayers the option of going paperless.

Sending e- statements over the internet, she says, could save the county upwards of $60,000 in the first year alone.

"This will just be another method by which we can cut costs, save government expense and make it convenient for the public," Buckner said.

Convenience, though, comes at a price.

Currently, if you want to use a credit card to pay your taxes you're required to pay a fee.

It's not fixed, but on a sliding scale depending on your bill.

For a tax bill of 100 dollars, for example, the fee's $4.80.

For a bill of 1,000 dollars, it's 36.55.

That money doesn't go into the county's coffers. It's legally mandated to be paid to a private-for profit company.

"We don't pay those fees so we don't know what the fees are," Buckner said.

Buckner says despite the fees, they expect the use of credit and debit card payments to increase at least 15% when they offer the e-billing system.

She believes people will be more willing to pay, if it's all just a click away.

"It's a lot more convenient than finding a place to park coming into the office and hassle with it," Buckner said.

But Evelyn Parker says while she would consider paying online, the fee system doesn't seem right.

"If it's not even benefiting the county, it's another fat cat come up with an idea to make money," Parker said.

She says because every dollar adds up, she'll keep paying the old way.

"I like to keep my money, use it for what I need it for and not just pay a fee," Parker said.

This private company is actually contracted through the state. They take fees at places like the DMV and the Secretary of State's office and at 36 counties across the state.

If you don't want to pay the fee, you could still enroll in e-bill. You would have to print out your bill and mail or bring in your payment.

Buckner hopes to have the e-billing system approved by the 2012 legislation and be up and running in February 2013.

For more information about the Information Network of Arkansas, click here. 

For more on the private company that profits from the fees, click here.

Statement from INA Network Manager Phil Billingsley:

INA's self-funded model allows the state of Arkansas to make available online services that couldn't be developed otherwise. The efficiency fees collected by INA are used to create local jobs and to support credit card merchants' fees; application development and maintenance; Internet bandwidth; security; and customer service phone, live chat and email support, all of which are the responsibility of INA.