Workshop Summary
Often, counties use traditional banking structures to conduct financial transactions, such as collecting property taxes or other fees. Yet, a share of county residents and businesses do not have access to such institutions and conduct business in cash. For counties, cash transactions mean higher costs due to the need for face-to-face transactions, the potential for non-secure and unsafe payments, issues with recording and reporting to external authorities and a higher likelihood of mistakes.
At NACo’s 2017 Western Interstate Regional Conference, the Counties Futures Lab hosted a training session on strategies counties are using to increase access to financial institutions for their taxpayers to ensure timely and secure payments while simultaneously lowering operating costs. Moderator Doug Lasher, Treasurer, Clark County, Wash., and presenter Cathy Traywick, Treasurer, Cochise County, Ariz., shared their insights on how to best handle cash transactions for their constituents in a world that is increasingly moving toward digital payments.
National Association of Counties
Christina Iskandar
Program Director for Knowledge Management
Counties Futures Lab