NEW LOOK OF CITY WATER BILLS MAKES READING, UNDERSTANDING EASIER
City utility customers soon will notice their bill has a new look. The new format is more visually appealing and includes a summary of the account’s payment and charges activity for the month.
The first bills displaying the new format are scheduled to mail on Friday. With the initial bill under this new format, each customer will receive a special insert that describes the new features and the location of important information on the bill statement.
The new bill format has the following benefits:
- Easy-to-find contact information and payment options;
- Payment locations and hours of service;
- Customer meter activity for the service period including meter number, meter readings and consumption by meter;
- A graph detailing one year of water usage history;
- A highly readable breakdown of all of the utility services including itemized current charges;
- Balance forward detail of last bill amount, payments, credits or adjustments; and
- Important messages regarding city activities or programs.
Customers who pay by mail should note the coupon moves to the bottom of the statement. The payment coupon is the stub included with payments in order for an account to receive proper credit.
Also, the return coupon portion specifies the amount due depending on whether payment is made before or after the due date. The coupon has a new line that reads “If Paid After (due date inserted), pay:” If the account balance payment is received after the date indicated, the amount due will include the 5 percent late fee charge. Paying the total due by the specified date will avoid this charge.
It will take about one month for all customers to receive a bill that uses the new design. Approximately 230,000 city utility bills are mailed monthly. This bill may include charges and fees for water, wastewater, sanitation, storm water and environmental protection.