City of St. Helena Implements New Cash Controls Policy

Effective immediately, the City of St. Helena has revised its Cash Controls Policy to ensure that refunds are processed only through checks or credit card payments.

Refund Payments Only in Check or Credit Card Form

As part of the new policy, cash will no longer be accepted as a form of refund payment. The move aims to maintain transparency and accountability in the city’s financial transactions.

“We want to make sure that all our financial dealings are above board and easily trackable,” said City Councilor Alan Galbraith. “By limiting refunds to checks or credit cards, we can ensure that our citizens’ payments are processed efficiently and securely.”

Policy Highlights

• Cash will no longer be accepted as a form of refund payment.
• Refunds will only be processed through checks or credit card payments.
• Foreign currency or coins issued by any country other than the United States will not be accepted.
• Coins and bills must be in good condition and not damaged or bent.
• Credit card information will be handled according to Payment Card Industry (PCI) compliant procedures.

Secure Handling of Credit Card Information

To protect sensitive customer data, the city’s Finance Department has implemented PCI compliant procedures for processing credit card payments. This includes:

• Secure storage of credit card information
• Destruction of credit card information after payment processing
• Transmission of credit card information through secure channels

“We take the security of our citizens’ financial information very seriously,” said City Clerk Cindy Topo. “By following these guidelines, we can ensure that all credit card transactions are processed safely and securely.”

Policy Review and Compliance

The city’s finance department will conduct regular reviews of its cash handling policies, procedures, and processes every two years to ensure compliance with all relevant laws and regulations.

“We’re committed to maintaining transparency and accountability in our financial transactions,” said Mayor Galbraith. “This policy is just one step towards ensuring that our city’s finances are managed efficiently and effectively.”

The city’s Cash Controls Policy is available for public review on the City of St. Helena website. Any questions or concerns about the policy should be directed to the Finance Department.