July 7, 2026 |
Photo – Rawlins City Hall – Bigfoot99 file photo
Rawlins residents are now required to pay credit card processing fees for certain municipal services.
On July 1st, the city of Rawlins instituted a 2.5 percent fee on credit and debit card payments. Finance Director Laura Malone explained that the charges only apply to services funded through the general fund, such as building permits and court costs.
Finance Director Malone clarified that the 2.5 percent credit card fee does not apply to residents’ monthly utility payments. The city’s card processor offers a special rate for those payments, allowing customers to continue using credit or debit cards without the convenience fee.
Malone said the 2.5 percent processing fee reflects the average rate set by major credit card companies.
The city currently pays roughly $30,000 a year in credit and debit card processing fees. Finance Director Malone said shifting that expense to residents gives the city added financial flexibility.
Malone said the 2.5 percent charge also gives residents more control over how their tax money is spent. Under the previous system, when the city paid all credit card fees, residents were essentially covering other people’s processing costs.
To avoid the credit card processing fee, Malone recommended paying by cash or check. She added that checks can be mailed to Rawlins City Hall, but cautioned against sending cash.
The city also provides an outside drop box where residents can deposit payments, although Malone warned against placing cash in it.
Finance Director Malone said residents won’t see the 2.5 percent fee unless they’re using a credit card to pay court costs, enroll in recreation programs such as the golf course, shooting range, or rec center, or purchase a building permit.
The charge also applies to renting city‑owned buildings, including park pavilions and the historic depot.
To reiterate, city residents’ monthly utility payments are not subject to the 2.5 percent credit card processing fee, only general‑fund municipal services.
