Environmental Management Department partners with Official Payments Corporation
Starting February 1, 2010, the Sacramento County Environmental Management Department (EMD) will accept payments made online from businesses required to pay annual program fees. This new service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. EMD regulates over 30,000 businesses in the Sacramento area for compliance with food safety, hazardous materials and water protection laws.
Official Payments Corporation was selected by EMD to provide the online payment service. Businesses can use American Express, Discover and MasterCard credit cards, or use an authorized electronic funds transfer (electronic check or e-check.). Official Payments Corporation is a leading provider of electronic payment services to government entities.
EMD will use Official Payments Corporation exclusively for all credit card and e-check transactions beginning February 1, 2010.
Electronic transactions processed through Official Payments Corporation are subject to a convenience fee. This fee is retained by Official Payments Corporation, not the County, and will show as an additional charge on the customer’s credit card or bank statement. The convenience fee rate for credit card payment is 2.5% of the payment amount and $1.50 for payments of $10,000 or less and $15.00 for payments above $10,000 if paying with e-checks.
EMD will also offer an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system for accepting payments over the phone for customers who prefer not to use a computer or do not have Internet access. The IVR system is expected to be active by spring 2010.
Although EMD will utilize Official Payments Corporation exclusively for electronic payments by February 1, 2010, checks, money orders and cash will still be accepted for payment of fees.
For more information please visit www.emd.saccounty.net and click on the On-line payments link.