How to Pay Your Columbia City Utility Bill Online, by Phone, or In Person

Paying your utility bill on time each month is an important responsibility as a resident of Columbia City. Our municipal utility services like electricity, water, sewer, and trash pickup are essential parts of everyday life, so it’s crucial to understand your payment options. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through the available methods for paying your Columbia City utility bill, including online payments, payments by phone, and paying in person.

Online Bill Pay

The easiest and most convenient way to pay your Columbia City utility bill is online through the city’s official payment portal. To get started, go to the Columbia City website and click on the “Pay Utility Bill” link at the top of the page. This will redirect you to the online payment system.

The online payment system allows you to securely pay your utility bill from your computer, smartphone, or tablet 24/7. You’ll need to have your latest utility bill handy so you can enter your account number and other vital information The online system accepts Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, and e-checks as payment options.

There is a small service fee for paying online with a credit/debit card. This is typical for online payments to cover processing costs. But paying from your bank account directly only incurs a minimal $1.00 fee, so I recommend setting up an e-check if you plan to pay online routinely.

Once you submit the payment, you’ll receive an email confirmation with your payment details The funds will be instantly credited to your City utility account, so you don’t have to worry about late fees as long as you pay before the monthly due date Paying online is fast, easy, and the most popular bill pay method for Columbia City utility customers.

Pay By Phone

If you prefer to speak to a representative when handling financial transactions, Columbia City offers a pay-by-phone option through their automated utility system. To pay your utility bill over the phone, call (260) 248-5100 and select option 3 for the utility department.

When prompted, enter your 10-digit utility account number and the system will pull up your account details. You can then follow the voice instructions to make a payment using your debit/credit card. The automated system is available 24/7, so you can call anytime to make a payment.

Just like with online payments, a small service fee applies when paying by phone with a card. The fee covers the cost of processing secure phone payments. But the convenience of paying your bill with a quick phone call is worth the minor extra cost for many Columbia City residents. As soon as your payment is processed, your utility account will reflect the updated balance.

Pay In Person

For utility customers who prefer in-person bill payment, Columbia City offers several ways to pay your bill face-to-face. The most popular option is to stop by Columbia City Hall, located at 112 S Chauncey St. City Hall is open Monday-Friday from 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM, excluding major holidays.

When you arrive, proceed to the Clerk-Treasurer’s office on the first floor. They accept cash, checks, money orders, and credit/debit payments. You will receive a printed receipt as proof of payment. This is a nice option if you want to hand-deliver your payment and get instant confirmation that your bill is paid.

The other in-person option is to visit the 24-hour drop box located just outside the City Hall entrance. You can drop off a check or money order any time of day. Payments left in the drop box before 7:30 AM on a business day will be processed that same day. Just make sure to allow enough time for mailed payments to reach the drop box before your due date, or late fees may still apply.

Avoid Late Fees

Now that you know the various ways to pay your Columbia City utility bill, let’s talk about how to avoid pesky late fees. Utility bills are due by the 20th of each month. If the 20th falls on a weekend or holiday, your payment must be received by 7:30 AM on the next business day.

Unfortunately, the City does not accept postmarked envelopes as on-time. Your payment must reach the City Hall drop box or Clerk-Treasurer’s office by the monthly deadline. If you miss the deadline, a $20 late fee is applied to your account. The city will then shut off delinquent accounts around the 30th of the month, and you’ll incur a $20 shut-off fee plus a $20 or $60 reconnection fee depending on time of day.

As you can see, those late fees add up fast, so be diligent about paying your utility bill on time every month. I recommend setting a monthly reminder in your calendar and scheduling your payments as soon as you receive your new bill in the mail. Get in the habit of paying immediately and you’ll avoid spending extra money on fees.

Payment Assistance Programs

If you are experiencing financial hardship and struggling to pay your utility bills on time, Columbia City offers some assistance programs:

• Payment arrangements – You may be able to set up a payment plan to pay your outstanding balance over time while keeping your utilities connected.

• LIHEAP – Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program provides grants to help cover heating bills. You must meet income requirements.

• Township Trustees – Your local township trustee office may be able to provide temporary financial assistance.

Contact the Columbia City utility department to learn more about these programs and see if you qualify for aid based on your circumstances. The city wants to help residents maintain continuous utility services, so don’t hesitate to ask about bill pay assistance options.