Explanation
Background:
The Division of Income Tax has received repeated requests from taxpayers for the ability to file and pay City income tax on line. The Division actively participated in the recent attempt by the Department of Technology to implement an e-payment engine as a result of those requests. Due to the abandonment of the e-payment engine project by the Dept of Technology, the Division determined it had sufficient need to further enhance taxpayer services and proceeded independently by issuing a Request for Proposal through the Division of Purchasing for an e-payment solution. Through this process, seven (7) proposals were received and evaluated by a committee consisting of representatives of the Division and the Dept of Technology, the Deputy Auditor and the City Treasurer. Subsequent to this document evaluation, each vendor made an oral presentation to the committee. It was determined that GovConnect had the municipal government experience and product which would best serve the needs of the City and its taxpayers. This initial effort with e-payment processing will be used primarily with withholding account documents although extensions are also part of this effort. Withholding accounts produced, in 2003, 85.3% of the tax revenues collected by the Division.
Due to the need to implement this e-payment solution prior to January 1, 2005 and taking into consideration the timeline for completion as submitted by Gov Connect as well as providing for adequate testing, it is requested that this ordinance to be passed as an emergency measure.
Fiscal Impact:
Funds are available within the Finance Department Capital Projects fund for an e-payment engine. Because only the Division of Income Tax is involved at this time, all funds as originally budgeted will not be used. However, the excess funds will be available for other departments or divisions to fund their inclusion into the service originated by the Division.
Title
To authorize...
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