Butler City Council heard presentations Thursday from three companies that provide credit card parking payments, mobile parking apps and electronic parking management services.

During a special meeting held online, company representatives said allowing people to use credit cards to pay for parking would increase revenue by 30% to 40%. They provided some equipment costs, but said they would submit more detailed pricing information to the city.

Council took no action on the presentations. Council members said they will determine how many electronic parking meters the city needs and where they should be located.

The companies that made presentations were Flowbird; Mobile Smart City, which operates the Pango mobile parking app in use at some city lots; and IPS.

Ed Kincase of Flowbird said the company offers multiple space meters, single space meters, a mobile payment app and a “back office” system that provides real time reports on occupancy and allows the city to remotely change rates for events.

The system has capabilities to issue parking permits, accept payments for parking violations, allow businesses to validate parking and let the city post news and events.

Flowbird's solar-powered meters have color touch screens that can be customized for posting announcements and advertisements.

Customers can pay using credit cards, coins or bills.

The mobile app sends reminders when meter time is expiring and allows customers to extend their time up to the maximum time set by the city.

The meters cost up to $9,000 each.

Jim Cardiello of IPS said the company sells solar-powered smart meters that fit into the housing of the city's existing parking meters.

IPS also offers credit payment, a mobile payment app and remotely programmable meters.

The company's office system would allow the city to obtain financial reports, revenue statistics and repair records.

The mobile app lets customers pay by phone and find parking spaces with meters with expired time.

IPS meters differentiate between tokens and coins. The meters send alerts when batteries begin to fail. The meters can be ordered with decorative sleeves that cover the meter poles.

The meters cost between $475 and $495.

Mobile Smart City uses solar-powered Hectronic meters, Pango mobile services and the Zeus parking enforcement app, said Matthew Lazowski, vice president.

Combined, the systems would provide navigation, allow customers to pay for and extend their parking time, identify open parking spaces, provide meter failure notifications and track revenue, he said.

The company has a customer support call center open 24 hours a day to assist customers.

Parking violation tickets can be paid at meters or through Pango.

The meters have optional street lights and can be ordered in various colors. Meter costs vary from $5,300 to $9,500.