February 19, 2009                                              

Weitzman boosts efficiency by launching electronic payments for County vendors

New policy promotes use of Automated Clearing House network

to pay vendors; saves time, money and paper

Nassau County Comptroller Howard Weitzman recently joined with the County’s Information Technology Department and the Treasurer’s Department to begin offering a new, electronic payment option for County vendors that uses an Automated Clearing House (ACH) network for processing payments. The ACH process allows the County to make payments within the banking system and eliminates the need to print and mail checks, thereby, reducing billing costs, boosting efficiency, and cutting back on paper use. The Comptroller’s Office recently offered the new payment method to three County vendors, including Family and Children's Association, as a test case, and the process has been a great success for both the County and the vendors. The Comptroller said he plans to expand the program to even more County vendors.

"Nassau County is now joining the millions of private companies and corporations that use electronic paying,” said Weitzman. “Paying our vendors who do business with the County just got easier and more efficient. In addition, the vendors will be able to access their payments quicker, without having to physically bring a check to the bank and wait for it to clear. The County saves time and paper.”  

"Family & Children’s Association was delighted to participate in testing the new ACH wire transfer system for contract reimbursement payments instituted by the Nassau County Comptroller’s office,” said Mary Ann Vassallo, Chief Financial Officer of Family and Children's Association. “This electronic system streamlines the reimbursement process resulting in increased staff productivity, improved cash flow by reducing the number of days in receivables, and immediate access to cash upon receipt. We applaud the Comptroller’s office for their leadership in working with the not for profit sector to improve operational processes between Nassau County and this vital sector of the local economy.”

The County currently has 32,000 active vendors. Other municipalities that already use ACH payments include New York City and Westchester County.