The Edina City Council announced the new convenience fee during Mayor Hland's remarks on August 20th. The fee will apply to all credit and debit card payments made through any method — online, by phone, in person, or through automatic payments — using the city's Invoice Cloud billing system.

The city processed more than 24,500 card payments for utility bills in 2024 alone, generating nearly $77,000 in processor fees that the city had to absorb. "The city does not make a profit from the convenience fee," Mayor Hland said. "The fee has been implemented only to offset the cost the city pays to card payment processors and helps maintain the city's overall budget."

Residents who want to avoid the fee have several options. The city will continue accepting payments by check, money order, and automatic bank transfers through Bank Pay or ACH (Automated Clearing House). These methods are free and can be set up through the city's website at adinaamn.gov/youutilitybilling.

This convenience fee is part of a broader cost-recovery strategy. Mayor Hland indicated the city is gradually implementing similar fees across all municipal departments to recover credit card processing costs. The move reflects a shift in how cities are handling the expenses associated with accepting electronic payments, passing some of those costs to residents who choose to pay by card rather than through traditional methods.