To: Board of Supervisors
From: Dan Mierzwa, Treasurer-Tax Collector
Report Title: APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the County Treasurer-Tax Collector, or designee, to execute a Data Protection Agreement ("Agreement") with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. ("WFB"), for the purpose of evaluating and determining Contra Costa County's viability as a candidate for WFB's Account Validation Services ("AVS"), effective February 5, 2026.
?Recommendation of the County Administrator ? Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the County Treasurer-Tax Collector, or designee, to execute a Data Protection Agreement ("Agreement") with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. ("WFB"), for the purpose of evaluating and determining Contra Costa County's viability as a candidate for WFB's Account Validation Services ("AVS"), effective February 5, 2026.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact for this agreement. If the County engages WFB's AVS, then the annual fees and costs are not to exceed $5,000 and will be paid from the earnings allowance made from the compensating balance in the WFB accounts.
BACKGROUND:
Contra Costa County has been actively working on the implementation of Automated Clearing House (ACH) payments as a less costly alternative to paper checks. To reduce the ACH payment fraud risk and increase payment security, the County Treasurer has identified WFB's AVS as a reliable and secure option. By subscribing to AVS, Contra Costa County could use the services offered by Early Warning Services, LLC, including but not limited to, validating the ownership of bank accounts, reducing ACH returns and authorized ACH transactions, and complying with the National Automated Clearing House Association rules.
So that WFB can evaluate whether Contra Costa County is a viable candidate for AVS, WFB requires the County to execute the Data Protection Agreement. If it is determined that Contra Costa County is in fact a viable candidate for AVS, the Treasurer-Tax Collector's Office an...
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