Digital Tax Payment Transformation: Coconino County's Success
Coconino County, Arizona, successfully modernized its outdated property tax payment system by partnering with Catalis to implement a scalable, cloud-based digital payment platform supporting various digital wallets and customizable features, resulting in a 480% increase in digital payment adoption, a 98% tax collection rate, improved citizen service, and reduced staff workload.
This is part eight of our “Beyond the Checkbook: Driving the Digital Government Payment Revolution” series, exploring how digital innovation is transforming government payment systems.
Coconino County Transformed Tax Payments Through Digital Innovation
Coconino County, Arizona, isn’t just home to the Grand Canyon; it’s also becoming a model for government modernization. Faced with outdated payment systems, rising citizen expectations, and a need for operational efficiency, the county sought a forward-thinking partner to help it modernize its tax payment processes. The result was a remarkable transformation that saw a 480% increase in digital payment adoption and a 98% tax collection rate, all while improving service delivery and reducing staff workload.
Coconino County’s success shows what’s possible when public agencies embrace e-government payment services designed for today’s citizen and tomorrow’s demands.
Modern Challenges Call for Modern Tools
Like many local governments, Coconino County previously relied on outdated systems to collect property taxes. These systems created friction for both staff and residents, including long lines, slow processing times, and limited access to online payment methods. The county needed a solution that was fast, reliable, secure, and responsive to a range of user preferences.
Recognizing these pain points, the county decided to implement a cloud-based government payment platform that would streamline workflows and dramatically improve the citizen experience.
A Scalable, Flexible Government Payment Platform
Coconino County partnered with Catalis to launch a unified, fully integrated tax payment solution.
Built for local government, the platform supports:
- Digital wallet payments, including Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, and Venmo
- Modular payment solutions for diverse government use cases, giving the county flexibility as needs evolve
- Customizable government payment gateway with open API support for seamless integration with existing tax systems
- Real-time payment visibility and automated payment reconciliation to ease staff workload
The system also supports court payment processing, creating opportunities to expand across departments and revenue streams.
Measurable Results and Sustainable Growth
The impact was immediate and far-reaching. Coconino County saw a:
- 480% increase in electronic payments, driven by mobile wallet adoption
- 98% collection rate for property taxes
- Significant reduction in staff workload related to reconciliation and paper processing
- Higher citizen satisfaction due to convenient, self-service payment options
These results highlight how a well-implemented government payment processing platform can improve both citizen-facing usability and back-office efficiency.
A Roadmap for Other Jurisdictions
Coconino County’s approach offers a scalable template for other municipalities. By selecting a unified payment platform for all municipal transactions, the county eliminated outdated steps and positioned itself for long-term growth. Other jurisdictions can follow suit by offering self-service payment portals, adopting real-time reporting tools, and enabling multi-channel payment options, including pay-by-bank. These actions build the infrastructure for efficient, citizen-focused financial services.
Ultimately, the county’s success reinforces a growing truth in the public sector: modernization isn’t just about keeping up; it’s about setting the standard.
Leading by Example in Government Payment Innovation
Coconino County’s story highlights the real-world benefits of adopting the right technology. With support from Catalis, the county transitioned from outdated processes to a modern, citizen-first approach. Their strategy, grounded in flexibility, accessibility, and scalability, sets a new standard for digital transformation in local government.
This is part eight of our “Beyond the Checkbook” blog series on digital payment transformation in government. Follow along as we publish more insights each week.
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