The Cook County Auditor’s Office will now take credit card or debit card payments for permits, property taxes, parcel signs, marriage licenses, plat book, and auditor fees, (e.g. copies, and passports) said Information Technology (IT) Director Rena Rogers.
There will be a slight convenience fee to use a card, 1.5 percent for a debit card or 2.5 percent to use your credit card, added Rogers.
The new program is part of an ongoing commitment by the IT department to move Cook County closer to having the ability to offer a full complement of E-government services, said Rogers. By this fall, said Rogers, the county should be able to offer online payment for property taxes and other services.
Currently the IT department provides development and support for the county’s wide spread computer system; technology infrastructure and integration; IT security; geographic information systems; and computer/ telecommunications which includes radio support for the Sheriff ’s Office and other emergency responders.
Rogers said the county’s IT services and website are being designed to improve government access, efficiency, and give the public better value because it will include shared infrastructure, integrated information that is cost effective, secure and reliable.
One service now available online is the county web mapping services, which allows users at any time to search for, and view geographic information about properties found in the county. The public can access the county’s website and do a parcel search by address, property ID number (PID), or taxpayer name.
By this fall, said Rogers, the county should be able to offer online payment for property taxes.
For Realtors, not-for-profit organizations, and others who have had to pay to purchase mailing labels, they will now be able to go online and print the labels out for free.
“This should save businesses and organizations a lot of time and money,” added Rogers.
Currently Cook County is one of 11 pilot counties throughout the state to offer electronic filing and service of court documents. Because filers can experience different ways to file in the current eFile system, on May 18 the Minnesota Judicial Branch launched a standard, statewide eFS system. This will provide filers across the state a consistent and reliable user experience.
Under recent amendments to the Minnesota Rules of Court adopted by the Minnesota Supreme Court, attorneys, government agencies, and guardians ad litem will be required to use the EFS system in all cases filed in the 11 pilot counties starting on July 1, 2015. By July 1, 2016, all of Minnesota’s 87 counties will be required to use the eFS system.
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