Town to accept online payments

The town of Culpeper this month will begin implementing new financial software that officials say will improve efficiency and allow online billing for utility and taxes.

“It will allow us to work more efficiently,” said town treasurer Ron Mabry.

The new program will combine administrative, utility billing, budgeting, purchasing, human resources and payroll functions. It’s expected to be fully functional by early December.

A link on the town’s Web site will be available for residents who want to pay their taxes online.

“We want to make it easier for the citizens when they click that link,” Mabry said. “You can do it in the middle of the night.”

For those who choose to use the online option, a convenience fee will be added. Mabry said the fee amount will be clearly listed before and during the payment process.

Town spokesman Wally Bunker said another element of the software will allow it to integrate with new, automatically read electric and water meters. Instead of reading each meter by hand, the system will allow real-time monitoring of utility usage.

The town treasurer’s office will be closed to the public Oct. 21 as part of a weeklong training session to allow town employees to learn the new software. About $165,000 is budgeted for the software.

“Much of this transition will be invisible to the average citizen, but it will lead to greater efficiency and improve customer service, and that is what we want,” Mabry said.