By Cliff Summerhill, Special for Wrangler News
In a sign of the ever‐changing technological times we live in, Chandler has implemented the ability for residents to pay their utility bills using cryptocurrency.
“We made an assumption that with so many tech companies within the city boundaries, their employees may delve into cryptocurrency with their strong technical skills,” said Dawn Lang, Chandler deputy city manager and chief financial officer. “So, we wanted to be sensitive to that.”
Chandler is home to some of the largest tech companies in the U.S., including Intel, NXP Semiconductors and Microchip Technology. According to the city, there are more than 26,000 employees among 268 tech companies within Chandler’s boundaries.
Chandler joins a handful of municipalities across the country that accept cryptocurrency as payment for city services.
As of February, Colorado was the first state to accept virtual currency for state‐level fees and charges.
“It’s about customer service for our residents,” Councilmember Mark Stewart said. “Digital currency and blockchain is advancing quickly, and as the ‘Community of Innovation,’ we feel it is important to be on the forefront of this technology and offer it to our residents as a payment method for utility payments and other fees.”
Residents must have a PayPal account with Bitcoin, Litecoin or Ethereum linked to their virtual wallet in order to use the service. Those who use PayPal for payments easily can select cryptocurrency as payment method when checking out online.
Learn more on the city’s website: chandleraz.gov/utilityservices.
One of Chandler’s strategic goals is rooted in its continued development of technology, leading then‐vice mayor Stewart to establish a $5,000 budget amendment to research how the city could incorporate cryptocurrency for city…
