Item 15 - Enterprise Land Management System Online Payment Services System

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Enterprise Land Management System Online Payment Services System May 5, 2026 Page 2 • ACH (e-check) processing capabilities that provide residents and business with lower-cost electronic payment options. • Custom fee handling, allowing the City to configure convenience fees or pass- through service fees in compliance with applicable laws and City policies. • Multi-merchant account configuration, enabling the City to maintain separate merchant accounts across various departments, funds, or revenue streams while maintaining accurate reconciliation and reporting. CSG Forte's payment platform is uniquely positioned to support these functions within Accela's system architecture and is designed specifically for government agencies requiring flexible and scalable payment processing solutions. Additionally, CSG Forte's integration provides enhanced reporting tools, scalability to support increased transaction volumes, and modular configuration options that allow the City to expand payment capabilities as additional Accela modules are implemented. Because CSG Forte is the only provider offering a fully Accela-supported integration that includes ACH processing, customizable fee structures, and multi-merchant account capabilities, staff determined that pursuing a competitive procurement process would not yield an equivalent alternative solution. Santa Ana Municipal Code, Section 2-807(a,e), authorizes the City to make non-bid purchases of services, supplies, materials, and equipment whenever it shall appear that there is only one reasonably available source. Staff researched available procurement options and product offerings in the market and determined that the online payment services system for Accela offered by CSG Forte meets Finance and Management Services' specifications. Staff recommends awarding an agreement with CSG Forte (Exhibit 1). Approval of the proposed agreement with CSG Forte will allow the City to implement a fully integrated payment processing solution within the Accela Civic Platform. This solution provides essential functionality for electronic payments, fee configuration, and departmental revenue management, ensuring that the City can deliver efficient and modern payment services to the community. Both Accela and CSG Forte are currently on track for a coordinated go-live at the end of June 2026, aligning system deployment with payment processing capabilities to support a seamless launch. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT There is no environmental impact associated with this action. FISCAL IMPACT Funds are budgeted and available in the following accounts for FY 2025-26. The initial one-year term of the agreement will span over two fiscal years, with implementation anticipated to begin in June 2026; therefore, a portion of first-year costs will be incurred in FY 2025-26 (May— June), with the remaining costs reflected in FY 2026-27.