Finance and Management Services
www.santa-ana.org/finance
Item # 15
City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Staff Report
May 5, 2026
TOPIC: Enterprise Land Management System Online Payment Services System
AGENDA TITLE
Agreement with CSG Forte Payments, Inc. for an Online Payment Services System for Accela, the City’s Enterprise Land Management System (Specification No. 26-042) (General Fund)
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Authorize the City Manager to execute a payment processing agreement with CSG Forte Payments, Inc. (CSG Forte) to provide online payment services integrated with the Accela Civic Platform in an amount of $203,464, for a term beginning May 5, 2026 and expiring May 4, 2027, with provisions for four (4), one (1) year extensions in a total amount not to exceed $1,017,317. (Agreement No. A-2026-XXX)
GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 APPLIES: Yes
DISCUSSION
On October 1, 2024, the City Council approved agreements with Carahsoft Technology Corp. for software subscription licensing, support, and training of Accela Civic Platform planning, permitting, and licensing system to replace the Santa Ana Property Information Network (SAPIN), which has fallen behind in technology, functionality, and lacks the capabilities to interface with third party payment softwares.
The City is currently implementing the Accela Civic Platform (Accela). The platform will allow residents, contractors, and business owners to submit applications, pay fees, and track services online. As part of the implementation, the City must integrate a payment processing solution capable of supporting online payments, including credit card and Automated Clearing House (ACH) transactions. After evaluating available options compatible with Accela, staff determined that CSG Forte Payments, Inc. (CSG Forte) is the only payment processor that provides a fully supported integration that meets the City’s operational, financial, and compliance requirements.
CSG Forte provides a native integration specifically designed for government agencies using the Accela Civic Platform. The solution provides a variety of features that are essential for municipal operations, including:
Enterprise Land Management System Online Payment Services System May 5, 2026
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ACH (e-check) processing capabilities that provide residents and business with lower-cost electronic payment options.
Custom fee handling, allowing the City to configure convenience fees or pass- through service fees in compliance with applicable laws and City policies. Multi-merchant account configuration, enabling the City to maintain separate merchant accounts across various departments, funds, or revenue streams while maintaining accurate reconciliation and reporting.
CSG Forte’s payment platform is uniquely positioned to support these functions within Accela’s system architecture and is designed specifically for government agencies requiring flexible and scalable payment processing solutions. Additionally, CSG Forte’s integration provides enhanced reporting tools, scalability to support increased transaction volumes, and modular configuration options that allow the City to expand payment capabilities as additional Accela modules are implemented.
Because CSG Forte is the only provider offering a fully Accela-supported integration that includes ACH processing, customizable fee structures, and multi-merchant account capabilities, staff determined that pursuing a competitive procurement process would not yield an equivalent alternative solution.
Santa Ana Municipal Code, Section 2-807(a,e), authorizes the City to make non-bid purchases of services, supplies, materials, and equipment whenever it shall appear that there is only one reasonably available source. Staff researched available procurement options and product offerings in the market and determined that the online payment services system for Accela offered by CSG Forte meets Finance and Management Services’ specifications. Staff recommends awarding an agreement with CSG Forte (Exhibit 1).
Approval of the proposed agreement with CSG Forte will allow the City to implement a fully integrated payment processing solution within the Accela Civic Platform. This solution provides essential functionality for electronic payments, fee configuration, and departmental revenue management, ensuring that the City can deliver efficient and modern payment services to the community. Both Accela and CSG Forte are currently on track for a coordinated go-live at the end of June 2026, aligning system deployment with payment processing capabilities to support a seamless launch.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
There is no environmental impact associated with this action.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funds are budgeted and available in the following accounts for FY 2025-26. The initial one-year term of the agreement will span over two fiscal years, with implementation anticipated to begin in June 2026; therefore, a portion of first-year costs will be incurred in FY 2025-26 (May – June), with the remaining costs reflected in FY 2026-27.
Enterprise Land Management System Online Payment Services System May 5, 2026
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The agreement also includes four optional one-year renewal terms, which, if exercised, will be incorporated into future fiscal year budgets for City Council consideration. Costs may vary by year based on the volume of payments processed online.
Fiscal Year Accounting Unit
- Account #
Fund
Description
Accounting Unit -
Accounting No.
Description
Amount
FY 2025-26
(May - June) Various-62300 Various Contract Services
Professional $33,911
FY 2026-27
(July – April) Various-62300 Various Contract Services
Professional $169,553
Subtotal for Year 1 $203,464
Optional Four, 1-Year Extensions
FY 2027-28 Various-62300 Various Contract Services
Professional $203,464
FY 2028-29 Various-62300 Various Contract Services
Professional $203,464
FY 2030-31 Various-62300 Various Contract Services
Professional $203,464
FY 2031-32 Various-62300 Various Contract Services
Professional $203,461
Subtotal $813,853
Total $1,017,317
EXHIBIT(S)
1. Consultant Agreement with CSG Forte Payments, Inc.
Submitted By: Alexander Trinidad, Executive Director Finance and Management Services
Jack Ciulla, Chief Technology Innovations Officer
Approved By: Alvaro Nuñez, City Manager