Last year, the County of San Luis Obispo Tax Collector's Office replaced a manual process and an old mail-opening machine at the end of its life with a newer, faster system. County staff began using the new payment processing system and software in August 2018, already saving about 782 staff hours, which equates to more than $19,000.
Once a tax payment is received, a staff member feeds it through the new machine that opens the envelope; scans the payment, stub and check; and saves a digital copy, which allows for electronic deposits. More than 140,000 payments have been processed electronically since the system was installed in August 2018.
Trained staff members still need to verify a small percentage of payments that the system has flagged before the payment can be processed. In that case, staff confirms the payment and processes it. In some instances, incorrect amounts or already paid items are rejected and returned to the taxpayer.
The whole process has sped up the tax payment process and allows for electronic check deposits, which means fewer banking fees.
Thanks to the speed and efficiency of this new system, the Tax Collector’s staff can spend more time helping the public on the phone or at the counter.
Once a tax payment is received, a staff member feeds it through the new machine that opens the envelope; scans the payment, stub and check; and saves a digital copy, which allows for electronic deposits. More than 140,000 payments have been processed electronically since the system was installed in August 2018.
Trained staff members still need to verify a small percentage of payments that the system has flagged before the payment can be processed. In that case, staff confirms the payment and processes it. In some instances, incorrect amounts or already paid items are rejected and returned to the taxpayer.
The whole process has sped up the tax payment process and allows for electronic check deposits, which means fewer banking fees.
Thanks to the speed and efficiency of this new system, the Tax Collector’s staff can spend more time helping the public on the phone or at the counter.
