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Culpeper town residents may soon be able to pay taxes online--for a fee Date published: 10/18/2009
BY DONNIE JOHNSTON
The town of Culpeper will soon begin using a new software system designed to streamline a number of financial functions and let residents pay their taxes online. The software, which is expected to go into daily use by December, will bring utility billing, budgeting, purchasing, human resources functions, payrolls and other financial operations under the same system. "It will allow us to work more efficiently," said town Treasurer Ron Mabry. Officials hope the new system will be up and running for the real-estate and personal-property tax season to allow online payments for the first time. A link on the town's Web site will direct taxpayers to the function. "We want to make it easier for the citizens when they click that link," said Mabry. "You can do it in the middle of the night." Opting not to stand in long lines, however, will not be free, and an as-yet-undisclosed fee will be attached to online payments. The new system will continue to allow for "direct debit" utility-bill payments, a feature town officials say few people have used since it was established. The new software, which cost the town $165,300, will also allow for real-time water and electric meter readings, which will eliminate the need for human meter readers. Selected town employees will begin training on the new system tomorrow, and the town treasurer's office will be closed Wednesday. Customers will still be able to make payments in the drop box outside the Municipal Building that day. "Much of this transition will be invisible to the average citizen," Mabry said, "but it will lead to greater efficiency and improve customer service, and that is what we want." Donnie Johnston:
1. Be respectful. No personal attacks.
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