Starting November, the Council will implement a cashless payment system at its Waste Management Facility and Companion Animal Shelter. This move is aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and eliminating the costs associated with secure cash handling.
The change is expected to impact only a minor portion of the transactions conducted at these facilities, with cash currently representing just 3 percent of payments at the Waste Management Facility and 12 percent at the Companion Animal Shelter. By transitioning to cashless payments, the Council aims to align with industry best practices focused on improving safety and accountability.
Eliminating cash transactions will reduce security risks for staff, enhance tracking of transactions, and promote transparent processing of payments. Furthermore, the shift to cashless handling is projected to save the Council up to $7,500 annually. This financial benefit will allow staff to redirect their efforts from cash counting and reconciliation tasks to more critical community-focused activities.
Customers will continue to avoid merchant fees when making payments via savings, debit, or credit cards at both facilities, maintaining the current favorable arrangement.
In preparation for this transition, visitors to the Waste Management Facility and Companion Animal Shelter will be informed of the upcoming changes prior to November 1, ensuring everyone is aware of the new cashless policy.
This initiative underscores the Council’s commitment to modernizing its payment processes while prioritizing safety and efficiency for both staff and the community.
