Use of Credit Cards

Contents

• Introduction
• Reference Sources
• City and County Ordinance Provisions

Introduction

Prior to 1995, there was no express authorization for local government, including counties, cities, towns, special purpose districts, municipal and quasi-municipal corporations, to use credit cards as a customary business practice. Use of city credit cards for travel purposes was fairly common, but use of such cards for ordinary purchases was not.

The 1995 legislature passed and the governor signed legislation making the following finding:

• Findings---1995 c 30: "The legislature finds that (1) the use of credit cards is a customary and economical business practice to improve cash management, reduce costs, and increase efficiency; and (2) local governments should consider and use credit cards when appropriate." [1995 c 30 §1.]

Reference Sources

• RCW 43.09.2855 - Local governments - Use of credit cards
• Letter from Assistant Attorney General Callie A. Castillo to the Honorable Pam Raoch, June 2, 2011. A local government official may not use a publicly issued credit card for personal purchases even if that person reimburses the local government before the bill comes.

City and County Ordinance Provisions

• Dupont Ch. 3.10, Use of Credit Cards, 2008
• Ferndale Credit Card Policy, 2008
• North Bend Ch. 2.86, Credit Card Policy, 2000
• Sammamish Ch. 3.05, City Credit Card Use, 2001
• San Juan County Section 2.10.180, Credit Card Policy, 2004
• Snohomish County Ch. 4.03, County Credit Cards, 2005, amended 2009
• Spokane Ch. 7.13, Credit Card -Alternative Payment Methods, 2004
• Spokane Valley Ch. 2.65, Credit Card Use, 2007
• Woodinville Ch. 2.48, Credit Card Regulations for City Officials and Employees, 2000

Related MRSC Resources
MRSC Index – Use of credit cards, policies on use (RCW 43.09.2855, Ch. 30 Laws of 1995)