How to Pay Your Utility Bill to the City of Bradenton

Paying your monthly utility bill is an essential responsibility as a resident or business owner in Bradenton, Florida. The city provides water, sewer, sanitation, and stormwater services that require regular payment. Fortunately, the City of Bradenton offers multiple convenient payment options. This article will explain the easiest ways to pay your Bradenton utility bill on time and avoid any late fees or service disruptions.

Overview of Bradenton Utility Billing

The City of Bradenton bills residents and businesses monthly for water, sewer garbage collection, and stormwater utility services. Utility bills are mailed out around the last week of each month.

Payment is due by the due date shown on your bill, which is typically 3 weeks after the bill is issued. The city encourages customers to pay promptly to avoid penalties. Utility rates are set annually by City Council.

Receiving Your Monthly Bill

As a City of Bradenton utility customer, you can expect to receive your bill by mail in the last week of each month. It will show charges for services from the previous month

If you don’t receive your bill, contact Customer Service immediately to request a copy. It’s your responsibility to pay on time, even if there are postal delays. You can also opt into paperless e-billing to get statements electronically.

Mark your calendar with the due date as soon as you receive your bill. On-time payment prevents late fees being added to your account.

Online Bill Pay Options

The easiest and most efficient way to pay your Bradenton utility bill is online through the city’s website. Available anytime day or night, this allows quick payment without stamps or paperwork.

Paying Online

To pay online, visit the Online Payments page and select Utility Bill under “I Want To Pay For.” You will need your 14-digit account number found on your bill.

Accepted payment methods are Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, or electronic check. Enter your payment info and submit for fast, secure processing.

Setting Up AutoPay

For hassle-free payments, enroll in AutoPay through the online system. Your bill will be paid automatically each month on the due date using your preferred payment method.

Check the AutoPay box during online checkout. You can edit or cancel automated payments at any time by logging into your account.

Viewing Billing History

Through the online portal, you can view prior bills and payment history. Accessing past statements helps you monitor charges and usage over time. You can also verify billing accuracy.

Watch for abnormal spikes that could indicate leaks or other problems. Alert Customer Service to any discrepancies between your usage and bill amounts.

Paying by Phone

Call the city’s toll-free automated phone line at (877) 631-7796 to pay your Bradenton utility bill over the phone. You will need your 14-digit account number from your bill.

The interactive voice prompts will guide you through selecting a payment amount and entering your credit card or e-check information. This payment method is available 24/7.

Paying by Mail

To pay by check or money order through the mail, detach the payment stub from your bill and enclose it with your payment. Be sure to include your account number on the check.

Mail payments to:

City of Bradenton
Attn: Customer Service
P.O. Box 1339
Bradenton, FL 34206-1339

Allow 5-7 business days for mail delivery to avoid late fees. Do not mail cash payments.

Paying In Person

You can pay your Bradenton utility bill in person at the Customer Service counter located on the first floor of City Hall at 101 12th St W.

In-person payments can be made Monday-Friday from 7:30am-4:30pm using cash, check, money order, or credit/debit card. City Hall also has a 24-hour drop box outside for after-hours payment drop off.

Avoid Late Payment Penalties

To avoid late fees, pay your City of Bradenton utility bill by the due date printed on your monthly invoice. A late charge of 1.5% will apply to past due balances.

If your account remains unpaid after multiple notices, your water service may be disconnected. Make every effort to pay on time and contact Customer Service immediately if you need to arrange a payment plan.

Payment Assistance Programs

If you are struggling financially and unable to pay your utility bill, the City of Bradenton offers assistance:

• Payment arrangements can be made for delinquent accounts to avoid shutoff.

• Limited emergency utility bill aid may be available for qualifying residents through the Hope Fund.

Contact Customer Service to discuss bill payment help. The city aims to ensure continued access to essential utilities for residents in need.

Final Bills and Closing Accounts

When moving out of Bradenton, you must close your utility account to stop service and billing. Contact Customer Service at least 3 days before your move date to schedule a final meter read.

Your final bill will be prorated through your final read date. Payment of this last bill will be due upon receipt. Remember to provide a valid forwarding address to ensure delivery of your final bill.

Communicating with the City of Bradenton

Contact Customer Service with any utility billing questions or account updates:

City of Bradenton Utility Billing

101 12th St W
Bradenton, FL 34205

Phone: (941) 932-9434

Email: [email protected]

Monday-Friday 7:30am-4:30pm

Reaching out to the billing department promptly is key for resolving any payment issues or concerns. Customer service staff can explain charges and ensure your account remains in good standing.

Understanding Your Utility Charges

Bradenton utility bills consist of itemized charges for:

Water Usage – Based on meter reading of gallons used. Tiered rates apply based on volume.

Wastewater – Charged at a fixed rate per 1,000 gallons of your water consumption.

Sanitation – Covers solid waste collection and disposal costs.

Stormwater – Charged based on property type to fund drainage system operation and maintenance.

Reviewing these charges gives you greater understanding of the services you receive and costs involved. Monitoring usage can also help detect leaks or other problems.

Checking for Leaks

If your utility bill seems abnormally high, check for leaks! Faucet drips and running toilets can waste thousands of gallons over time and drive up your water and sewer charges.

• Take a meter reading before bed and again in the morning. Movement indicates a leak.

• Add a dye tablet or food coloring to your toilet tank. Color appearing in the bowl without flushing signals a flapper leak.

• Inspect pipes under sinks for wetness and listen for running water. Slow drips quickly add up.

Finding and fixing leaks right away keeps your utility costs lower. The city also recommends installing water-efficient fixtures to conserve resources and save money over time.

Understanding Stormwater Fees

The stormwater fee on your monthly bill helps fund maintenance and improvements to Bradenton’s storm drain system. Storm drains collect and transport rainwater runoff to prevent flooding.

This fee is based on a property’s footprint size and amount of impervious surface. Larger properties with more paved area contribute greater runoff volumes. Fees are set annually and appear as line items on utility bills.

Properly functioning storm drains benefit the whole community by preventing flood damage. Understanding the stormwater fee provides insight into this important service funded through utility billing.

Budget Billing for Consistent Payments

To make utility bills more predictable, the City of Bradenton offers an optional Budget Billing plan. This sets your payment at an average amount each month based on your past annual usage.

Budget billing helps avoid billing spikes in high-use seasons. Payments stay consistent throughout the year for easier budgeting. Your account is reviewed periodically and the payment amount adjusted up or down accordingly.

Contact Customer Service for details on enrolling in Budget Billing. Sign up early to maximize balanced payments all year.

Paperless Billing and Account Management

For added convenience, enroll in paperless e-billing to receive your utility bill via email each month. You’ll get timely reminders to pay while avoiding mail delays.

Through the city’s online account portal, you can also:

• Check your balance
• View billing history
• Monitor water usage
• Set up autopay
• Receive paperless billing
• Go green and reduce waste

Managing your account online is fast, easy, and environmentally friendly. Sign up to access bill pay tools right from your computer or mobile device.

Understanding Billing Cycles

Bradenton utility bills cover a period of approximately 30 days. Your exact billing cycle depends on when your meter is read each month by city service workers.

Bill timing may fluctuate slightly if the regular read date falls on a weekend or holiday. Your bill reflects charges from the read date on the previous bill to your current read date.

Understanding billing cycles helps explain any variability