Convenient Ways to Pay Your City of Lake City Utility Bill

Paying bills is one of those necessary evils in life. And when it comes to utilities like electricity, water, sewer, and trash removal, customers often don’t have much choice on service provider You’re stuck paying the city’s set rates if you want to keep the lights on and taps running

But thankfully, the City of Lake City has implemented several convenient payment options to make settling your monthly utility bill quick and easy. Gone are the days of driving downtown and waiting in line during limited office hours.

As a Lake City resident and ratepayer, here is an overview of the modern payment methods available for handling your city utility bill

Online Bill Pay

The easiest and most efficient way to pay is through the City of Lake City’s online bill pay system. Available 24/7, this allows you to securely pay your bill from home in just minutes.

Some key features include:

• Secure encryption protects your financial data
• View balance and payment history
• Make one-time or recurring payments
• Setup text/email reminders when bill is due
• Avoid late fees by scheduling payments
• Save payment info for faster checkout
• Access via computer or mobile app

With online bill pay, you no longer have to worry about checks getting lost in the mail or waiting in long lines. It’s the perfect option for busy families!

Sign up through the city’s website and download the mobile app for paying on-the-go. Online bill pay puts convenience at your fingertips.

Automated Phone Payments

Another way to bypass in-person payments is through the city’s automated phone system. To use this method, call the number provided by the city and follow the prompts.

You’ll need to enter your account number, payment amount, and credit/debit card information. The automated service will then process and post the payment to your account.

It functions very similarly to online bill pay but is accessible to those without Internet access. The phone payment feature makes paying utilities easy for the elderly or those with limited computer literacy.

In-Person Payments

For those that prefer human interaction or need to pay with cash, in-person payments at City Hall are still an option.

Simply visit the Utility Billing department during business hours with your payment. You can also use the drop box after hours to submit your bill. Payments left in the drop box before the due date will not incur late fees.

Just be aware that in-person payments do require you to budget your time. Only visit City Hall if you have availability during the open office hours printed on your bill. Otherwise, take advantage of the 24/7 convenience of online or phone payments!

Recurring Bank Drafts

Setting up a recurring monthly draft from your bank account is great for automating utility payments. Once enrolled, you don’t have to do anything. The bill amount is automatically withdrawn each month.

To enroll, complete the Bank Draft Authorization form from the city and submit with a voided check. Drafts will start next billing cycle. You can cancel at anytime with written notice if you decide to switch back to manual payments.

The set-it-and-forget-it nature of bank drafts prevents late fees and frees you from having to remember when bills are due. It makes utility payment truly hassle-free!

Budget Billing Programs

For assistance budgeting utility costs, the City of Lake City offers some billing programs like Budget Billing that average payments out over the year. This prevents the fluctuation of high and low bills from impacting you each month.

Budget Billing sets your payment amount based on historic usage, then trues up any balance due at year end. To enroll, your account must be in good standing. Contact the utility department for details.

Other assistance programs are available for low income residents. Inquire about possible credits, exemptions or hardship extensions if facing disconnection. Let the city know if you are experiencing financial hardship.

Mobile Payment Apps

Using your smartphone to pay bills is all the rage nowadays. The City of Lake City allows payment through certain mobile payment apps like Venmo, Apple Pay and Google Pay. Just link your bank account or card, then scan the QR code on your bill to transfer funds.

Apps allow you to pay on-the-go whenever it’s convenient for you. You get text updates when the transaction is processed so there’s no receipt to keep track of. It’s all documented in the app!

Mobile payments utilize the same encryption and security as online banking so your information stays protected. Enable biometric logins like fingerprint scan or facial recognition for an extra layer of security.

Important Payment Tips

Whichever method you choose, here are some tips for effectively paying your City of Lake City utility bill:

• Pay the full “Current Charges” to avoid late fees on overdue balances
• Write your account number clearly on mailed checks
• Keep payment receipts until charge appears on your account
• Contact the city immediately if you suspect an incorrect bill
• Report moving out/in right away to close or open accounts
• Notify the utility department if your financial situation changes

Staying on top of your city utility payments ensures uninterrupted service while avoiding unnecessary fees. Evaluate the options to find the best payment method for your needs and lifestyle.

The City of Lake City offers flexible solutions like online payments, phone pay, auto-draft and in-person visits. Tap into the convenience of modern technology to eliminate the payment hassles of yesterday. Keep the water flowing and lights on worry-free!