The City of Mount Carmel is changing the way residents can pay their utility bills by credit card.
During Monday afternoon's City Council meeting, City Clerk Ryan Turner announced that City Hall will no longer accept credit card payments over the phone.
Turner said the decision was made after City Hall handled more than 200 credit card transactions by phone and in person during June, with phone payments creating significant delays on the final day water bills were due.
He said the volume of calls frequently tied up City Hall's phone lines and brought office operations to a standstill as employees processed payments.
Turner noted residents still have several convenient payment options, including paying online, mailing their payment, or paying in person at City Hall.
He also said the city's bank does not recommend accepting credit card payments over the phone because of the increased risk of fraud and the amount of staff time required to resolve chargebacks when disputed transactions occur.
The new policy is intended to improve customer service and keep City Hall's phone lines available for other business.