§ 35.14  CREDIT CARDS; AUTHORITY TO ACCEPT.
   (A)   The City Council may authorize city officials to accept credit cards, charge cards, or debit cards as a method of cash payment of any tax, levy, excise, duty, custom, toll, interest, penalty, fine, license, fee, or assessment of whatever kind or nature, whether general or special, as provided by Neb. RS 77-1702.
   (B)   The total amount of such taxes, levies, excises, duties, customs, tolls, interest, penalties, fines, licenses, fees, or assessments of whatever kind or nature, whether general or special, paid for by credit card shall be collected by the city official.
   (C)   The City Council may choose to accept credit cards, charge cards, or debit cards as a means of cash payment to any facility it operates in a proprietary capacity and may adjust the price for services to reflect the handling and payment costs.
   (D)   The city official shall obtain, for each transaction, authorization for use of any credit card, charge card, or debit card used pursuant to this section from the financial institution, vending service company, credit card or charge card company, or third-party merchant bank providing such service.
   (E)   The City Council may choose to accept the types of credit cards, charge cards, or debit cards accepted by and the services provided to the state pursuant to the contract entered into by the state with one or more credit card, charge card, or debit card companies or third-party merchant banks for services on behalf of the state and those political subdivisions that choose to participate in the state contract. The City Council may choose not to participate in the state contract and may choose types of credit cards, charge cards, and debit cards and may negotiate and contract independently or collectively as a governmental entity with one or more financial institutions, vending service companies, credit card, charge card, or debit card companies, or third-party merchant banks for the provision of such services.
   (F)   When authorizing acceptance of credit card or charge card payments, the City Council shall be authorized but not required to impose a surcharge or convenience fee upon the person making a payment by credit card or charge card so as to wholly or partially offset the amount of any discount or administrative fees charged to the city.  The surcharge or convenience fee shall be applied only when allowed by the operating rules and regulations of the credit card or charge card involved or when authorized in writing by the credit card or charge card company involved. When a person elects to make a payment to the city by credit card or charge card and such a surcharge or convenience fee is imposed, the payment of such surcharge or convenience fee shall be deemed voluntary by such person and shall be in no case refundable.
(Neb. RS 13-609)  (Ord. 1648, passed 7-23-98; Am. Ord. 1862, passed 1-8-04)