Explanation
BACKGROUND:
On October 3, 2012 the Columbus City Treasurer's Office issued a request for proposal, for various banking services among which was merchant processing services.
Huntington Merchant Services was awarded the contract for merchant processing. On May 6, 2013, Columbus City Council authorized contracts and expenditures for the first year of banking services, for the period of June 1, 2013 through May 31, 2014. On February 14, 2022, ordinance number 0374-2022 was passed by Columbus City Council which authorized the tenth year of a ten year renewal of banking services with Huntington Merchant Services for the period from June 1, 2022, through May 31, 2023.
The City Treasurer’s Office in collaboration with the City Auditor’s Office and the Department of Finance and Management developed a banking RFP with an expansion of the services beyond traditional banking.
Gateway services, which facilitate the City’s on-line payments, are currently under contract until March 1, 2026, subject to annual appropriation and approval by Columbus City Council. The award of merchant processing services included gateway services and, as a consequence, more time for the transition to the new banking partner is needed. Huntington Merchant Services agreed to extend the current terms and conditions of the contract awarded in 2013 for the period of the modification of a year from May 31, 2023, to May 31, 2024, with a one-year option to renew the term.
City Council authorized the City Treasurer’s Office to exercise its option to renew the contract for one year through May 31, 2025, with passage of ordinance 0484-2024 on February 26, 2024.
The City Treasurer now wishes to add funding on behalf of the departments of Building & Zoning Services and Public Utilities, as both agencies are still using Huntington Merchant Services and they need additional resources to pay for services. Both agencies are expected to transition to JP Morgan Chase Bank as its merchan...
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