Simplifying Bill Payment for Residents of Pella, Iowa

Paying utility bills can be a headache for many people Finding the time to sit down and pay each bill, ensuring payments go through on time, and keeping track of different due dates is tedious For residents of Pella, Iowa, paying city utility bills like electricity, water, sewer, and garbage/recycling is about to get a whole lot easier.

The City of Pella has invested in improving the bill pay experience by offering modern payment options that fit into our busy lives. No more mailing checks or driving across town to pay at City Hall. The new systems allow you to pay anytime anywhere in just a few quick clicks or taps.

In this article, we’ll walk through the new payment options available from the City of Pella and tips to simplify paying your utility bills.

Overview of Pella Utility Billing

Let’s start with a quick overview of utility billing in Pella so you know what to expect each month.

The City of Pella bills residents monthly for electricity, water, sewer, and garbage/recycling services. Bills are sent out on the last business day of the month and payments are due by the 20th of the following month.

So for example, you would receive your July bill in the mail on June 30th and your payment would be due on July 20th.

The City has published the rates for each service on their website so you can estimate your monthly utility costs. The rates vary by service

• Electric
• Sewer
• Trash and Recycling
• Water
• Yard Waste

If you’re struggling to pay your utility bills, Pella also offers assistance programs for low income residents including the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP).

Now let’s look at the ways Pella has made paying these utility bills quick and convenient.

1. Pay Online

The easiest way to pay your Pella utility bill is online through the payment system Paymentus. You can access Paymentus directly through the City of Pella’s website.

The system allows you to:

• Pay by credit/debit card or e-check
• Get real-time payment confirmation
• View your current account balance
• Access past billing statements
• Sign up for paperless billing

You also have the option for quick “Pay Now” payments without creating an account.

Paying online is fast, secure, and lets you skip mailing in checks or driving to City Hall.

2. Pay via the Paymentus Mobile App

In addition to the online portal, Paymentus offers a mobile app so you can pay bills on the go.

You can download the free app for iPhone or Android and login using your existing Paymentus credentials.

The app makes it easy to:

• Pay bills with Apple Pay, Google Pay, credit/debit cards, or checking accounts
• Store payment information for quicker checkout
• View past statements
• Setup reminders when bills are due

With the mobile app, you can pay your Pella utility bill from anywhere without having to remember account details or log into a website.

3. Pay by Phone

If you prefer to speak to a real person to complete your payment, you can pay your Pella utility bill over the phone.

Call the Paymentus toll-free number 844-546-8162 and follow the prompts to make a payment. You will need to provide your account number and billing address from your monthly statement to process the payment.

Paymentus accepts payments by credit/debit card, checking account, and automated clearing house (ACH).

4. Pay by Mail

Paying by mail is still an option for residents who prefer checks or money orders.

To pay by mail, send your payment to:

City Hall
PO Box 88
Pella, IA 50219

Just make sure to allow 3-5 business days for your mailed payment to reach City Hall and be processed to avoid late fees.

5. Pay in Person

For those who prefer the human touch, you can pay your utility bill in-person at Pella City Hall located at 825 Broadway Street.

City Hall accepts cash, checks, debit and credit cards for bill payment. Their office hours are Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

6. Use a Drop Box

If you can’t make it to City Hall during business hours, Pella has 3 utility payment drop boxes located around town:

• City Hall (825 Broadway Street)
• Hy-Vee (118 SE 9th Street)
• Alley behind the library (603 Main Street)

Just drop off your payment in one of the locked drop boxes before the due date to avoid late fees.

7. Setup Auto-Pay

The easiest way to avoid forgetting payments is to enroll in auto-pay through your bank.

Pella offers an automatic payment plan called CityMatic that will automatically withdraw your utility payment from your bank account each month.

To enroll, complete the CityMatic authorization form and return it to City Hall. Then each month the payment will be deducted on the due date so you don’t have to do anything!

8. Use Budget Billing

If you want to spread your costs evenly throughout the year, Pella offers a Budget Billing plan.

With this option, you pay a fixed amount each month based on your previous 12 months of utility usage. Your account is reviewed annually and the monthly payment amount adjusted if needed.

Budget Billing helps avoid the frustration of high seasonal bills by averaging costs over the year. To get started, contact the Pella Utility Billing department.

Tips for Successful Utility Bill Management

Managing when bills are due and ensuring on-time payment can be tricky. Here are some tips to make utility bill payment a breeze:

• Sign up for paperless billing and use bill reminders – Going paperless through Paymentus lets you get bill notifications by email and reduces clutter. Use the mobile app to setup bill due reminders so you never miss a payment.

• Pay automatically with auto-pay or budget billing – Set it and forget it with auto-pay or budget billing so your bill gets paid on time without the hassle.

• Pay multiple bills in one place – The online portal and mobile app let you manage all your city utilities in one convenient spot.

• Know late fees and shutoff policies – Pella utility bills are due by the 20th to avoid late fees. Keep the shutoff policy in mind if you fall behind on payments.

• Get payment receipts – Paymentus provides instant emailed receipts when you pay online or in the mobile app so you have peace of mind.

• Store payment details for faster checkout – Save your payment information in Paymentus to check out in seconds each month.

One Less Worry Each Month

Juggling utility bills every month doesn’t have to be a struggle. The City of Pella offers modern payment options like Paymentus to simplify the process.

Now you can pay bills online, on your phone, or automatically without the hassle of checks, mail, or trips to City Hall. Spend less time worrying about payments and more time enjoying life in Pella.

Which option do you think will work best for your utility payments? Let us know in the comments if you have any other tips for simplified bill pay!