Title
Utility Billing, Payments, and Related Services
Action
Action:
A. Approve a contract with KUBRA Data Transfer Ltd., A REPAY Company, providing and implement utility billing, payment, and related services for a term of two years,
B. Authorize the City Manager to renew the contract for up to two, one-year terms with possible price adjustments and to amend the contract consistent with the purpose for which the contract was approved, and
C. Authorize the City Manager to approve additional purchases as needed from time to time to optimize utility billing, payment, and related services.
Body
Staff Resource(s):
Angela Charles, Charlotte Water
Matthew Hastedt, Finance
Susan Walker, Finance
Explanation
§ Finance is responsible for managing utility billing, payment and related offerings for water, sewer, and storm water services that include bill processing, printing, mail insertion, postage, archival/bill viewing, electronic bill distribution, collection of customer payments, backup facilities, and seamless integration with the city’s current web portal provider.
§ On July 24, 2017, following a competitive solicitation process, City Council approved a contract with KUBRA Data Transfer Ltd., A REPAY Company, for utility billing, payment, and related services for a term of five years with four, one-year renewal options.
§ The continued use of the KUBRA Data Transfer Ltd. system will allow for existing services to continue while the Finance department collaborates with Procurement to determine and review competitive solicitation options prior to expiration of the contract term.
§ Waiver of a competitive solicitation process for services may be granted on a limited basis when deemed appropriate and in the city’s best interest. A waiver has been approved for these services based on the need for continuity of service and time constraints.
§ Annual expenditures are estimated to be $3,567,000.
Charlotte Business INClusion
Effective July 1, 2026, Session Law 2026-41 eliminated the authority of North Carolina local governments to use race-conscious and gender-conscious contracting requirements. In compliance with the new law, no MBE/WBE/MWBE/MSBE/WSBE/MWSBE goals or compliance requirements will be included in city contracts. SBE goals are not affected and shall continue to be used in compliance with the CBI program and applicable law.
Small Business Participation
A waiver of solicitation was necessary for this contract based on the need for continuity of service and time constraints. Contracts with a waiver of solicitation do not involve a competitive bidding process and are exempt from the CBI program.
Fiscal Note
Funding: Finance Operating Budget