The Tullahoma Parks and Recreation Department has added more electronic capabilities, updating both community centers on point-of-sale software that will allow the centers to better manage customer relationships.
Parks and Recreation Director Dave Anderson was cataloging the equipment and capabilities of the city’s parks and recreation facilities, parks and more while he served as department head l ‘last year. From his early days with the department, one of his bucket list items was to take the CD Stamps Community Center to the DW Wilson Community Center in terms of customer service. For several years, DW was the only community center to have a point-of-sale system, allowing center customers to pay for memberships and special events with a credit card instead of just using cash. liquid. This system was an older model that had its own credit card processing gateway charging rental fees per terminal as well as transaction fees.
In October, the Tullahoma Council of Mayor and Aldermen authorized the Parks and Recreation Department to use CivicRec software, which is an add-on service to the city’s website provider CivicPlus, allowing easier integration of registrations and online payments. The old credit card processing company is not compatible with CivicRec, according to Anderson.
Instead, Anderson sought to use Forte Credit Card Software, which is the preferred company to integrate with CivicRec. According to a note on the subject, Anderson said several other municipalities are also using Forte because of its “low cost and ease of use.”
“The company charges a flat rate of 2.75% on all credit card transactions,” Anderson said in the memo. “There are no rental fees, service fees or rental fees for any equipment. This will result in significant savings in credit card processing for the city while creating additional convenience for our community by providing online payment options for all facility reservations and recreational needs.
Anderson said the department would need five credit card readers for the two community centers and the Splash Island water park. According to the memo, the drives would cost $190 each, for a one-time total cost of $950. Funds were available in the parks and recreation budget for fiscal year 2022, per Anderson.
The board of directors has unanimously approved the transaction.