The town of Thorsby will soon start taking credit card payments.

The Thorsby council voted Monday to purchase Virtual Merchant equipment that will make the payments possible. The town decided to try the program after meeting with Jemison officials, who have been using Virtual Merchant for a few months.

A $2 dollar convenience fee would be added for residents paying bills with a credit or debit card. The fee will cover the amount credit card companies charge per transaction.

Thorsby will also start using the company’s electronic check conversion feature, which many department stores are already using.

The service will cost the town 37 cents per check, but Mayor Dearl Hilyer said that it will make deposits much faster, saving time and money.

“I think with the convenience and time it will save us, it will be worth it,” Hilyer said. “If we see it doesn’t, we can always drop it later.”

The Virtual Merchant equipment will cost the town a total of $808. There will also be an annual $55 member charge and a $5 fee per month for check statements.