Credit cards can soon be used for County services

Customers can soon swipe credit and debit cards at the Aiken County Animal Shelter and other departments.

The County currently allows credit cards to be used in the payment of taxes only, but that will change as the option extends to the shelter for pet adoptions, the new Visitor Center in downtown Aiken for the purchase of tourism merchandise and the Planning and Development Department for services such as securing building permits.

"Hardly anybody carries cash," said Robbie Bellamy, tourism program coordinator. "Once we get that credit card machine going, that will be good."

She said she has had to direct a number of people to ATM machines downtown before as they did not have the cash or a check to pay for their purchases.

County Administrator Clay Killian and Bobby Arthurs, chief enforcement officer with animal control, agree the move will be more convenient for all involved.

"It makes life a lot easier on shelter staff and the citizens of Aiken County," Arthurs said.

Killian was not sure when the machines would be placed in the department offices, but said it will be soon.

Typically, a fee of 2 to 2.5 percent of the total purchase price is charged by the credit card companies and County Council had discussed waiving that fee.

At last word, County Attorney Jim Holly was still looking into the matter.