TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: A. Jerome Fletcher II, ICMA-CM, MPA, City Manager
TITLE: Approve and Authorize the City Manager to Execute Sales Order Pursuant to Existing Agreement With CentralSquare Technologies, LLC for CentralSquare Payments InvoiceCloud Payment Processing Services at No Charge.
Recommended Action
Option 1: Approve and authorize the City Manager to execute Sales Order pursuant to existing Agreement with CentralSquare Technologies, LLC for CentralSquare Payments InvoiceCloud payment processing services at no charge.
City Commission Options
Option 1: Approve and authorize the City Manager to execute Sales Order pursuant to existing Agreement with CentralSquare Technologies, LLC for CentralSquare Payments InvoiceCloud payment processing services at no charge.
• Pros: Provides continuity of electronic payment processing services following the expiration of the City’s current Paymentus Agreement; provides an online payment solution that integrates with the City’s existing CentralSquare NaviLine system; supports a more streamlined transition and implementation process; and supports compliance with section 215.322, Florida Statutes, regarding electronic and online payment acceptance.
• Cons: Implementation will require staff resources, system configuration, testing, and coordination to transition from Paymentus to CentralSquare Payments / InvoiceCloud before the existing service sunsets.
Option 2: Do not approve and authorize the City Manager to execute Sales Order pursuant to existing Agreement with CentralSquare Technologies, LLC for CentralSquare Payments InvoiceCloud payment processing services at no charge.
• Pros: Staff have not identified any foreseeable benefits to not approving the Sales Order.
• Cons: The City’s current Paymentus Agreement is scheduled to sunset on March 15, 2027. Without a replacement payment processor in place, the City risks a disruption in its ability to accept electronic payments and would need to rely on other available payment methods until another solution is implemented. This could also affect the City’s ability to comply with statutory requirements for online electronic payment acceptance.
Background Information
The City currently utilizes Paymentus for electronic payment processing services. The existing Paymentus Agreement is scheduled to sunset on March 15, 2027. To maintain continuity of electronic payment services, staff evaluated a replacement payment processing solution and is recommending CentralSquare Payments InvoiceCloud.
The City currently utilizes CentralSquare NaviLine for its financial and billing operations. CentralSquare Payments InvoiceCloud was selected because of its integration with the City’s existing CentralSquare NaviLine environment, which is expected to provide a more streamlined transition, reduce implementation complexity, and maintain connectivity with the City’s existing systems.
The Sales Order pursuant to existing Agreement is being entered into pursuant to the existing Master Agreement, Application Service Provider (ASP) Order (SunGard) - 04 2017 between the City and CentralSquare Technologies, LLC. Under the Sales Order, CentralSquare Payments InvoiceCloud will provide the replacement payment processing solution, with CentralSquare responsible for primary support for payment-related issues. The Sales Order specifically states that it is governed by the terms and conditions of the existing Master Agreement between the parties.
The proposed CentralSquare Payments InvoiceCloud solution includes Electronic Bill Presentment and Payment (EBPP), Interactive Voice Response (IVR), Online Bank Direct, third-party cash acceptance, Automated Clearing House (ACH) migration, point-of-sale services, and other payment-related functionality.
Approval of the Sales Order will allow staff to proceed with implementation of CentralSquare Payments InvoiceCloud in advance of the March 15, 2027, sunset of Paymentus, supporting continuity of the City's electronic payment processing services.
The North Port Sales Order (CST Payments) has been reviewed by the City Attorney and is legally correct as to form.
The North Port Sales Order (CST Payments) was submitted to the City Clerk’s Office on October 7, 2026, for signature, subject to City Commission approval.
Strategic Plan Pillar
Good Governance
Financial Impact
The CentralSquare Payments InvoiceCloud solution is provided to the City at no cost ($0.00), including all applicable maintenance, subscription, and recurring service fees. Such fees shall remain at $0.00 for the duration of the City’s continued use of the CentralSquare Payments InvoiceCloud solution. Additionally, CentralSquare will provide the City with a $25,000 credit toward existing CentralSquare services, providing further cost savings to the City.
Applicable payment processing service fees under the submitter model will be paid by the payer and collected by the payment processor rather than collected by the City. Certain charges, including chargeback fees, Automated Clearing House return fees, and applicable fixed or recurring fees, will remain the City's responsibility under the Agreement.
Procurement
The procurement was conducted in accordance with Chapter 2 - Administration, Article VIII - Procurement, Section 2-407 - Sole Source Guidelines, of the Code of the City of North Port, Florida, utilizing the Standardization procurement method.
The City currently utilizes CentralSquare NaviLine for its financial and billing operations. CentralSquare Payments InvoiceCloud will be added as a module to the City’s existing CentralSquare NaviLine system. Standardization maintains compatibility with the City’s existing system, supports operating efficiencies, and provides for a more streamlined implementation and transition from the City’s current payment processing solution.
Attachments:
1. Sales Order
2. ASP Order
3. Superion Letter
Prepared by: Marilyn Martinec, Assistant Finance Director
Department Director: Irina Kukharenko, Finance Director