If you’ve been complaining to city officials about not being able to pay your utility bill with a credit or debit card, your efforts might soon pay off.
City leaders are planning to accept credit card payments for utility billing in order to provide convenience to a high volume of tenants paying rental utilities who are unhappy with the current options — cash or checks.
Most people, when they come to pay their bills, expect to be able to use a debit or credit card and are often surprised when their cards are not accepted, officials said.
In addition, city hall is looking to provide this preferred payment method for residents online through the city website and eventually through a kiosk inside the building, where tenants will be able to pay their bills with the swipe of a card.
“I think this option will definitely be very popular,” said Tina Rodgers, head of utilities billing. “We have around an average of 50 residents a day come to city hall to pay for their utilities.”
The city is upgrading its program with Creative Microsystem Inc., a company that specializes in financial management, pay roll, utility billing and tax collection.
According to Deputy Service Safety Director Ron Lucas, the upgrade will be complete by the end of this year or early 2014.
“Even though we are early in the process, there is momentum to get this done,” Lucas said.
The credit card payment service will be provided through a Creative Microsystem Inc. software program in which contracted third parties will connect the credit card payments to the company’s system, Lucas said.
After the transaction, receipts will be sent to the customer, the city of Athens, Creative Microsystem Inc. and the third party to allow for checks and balances.
The city is currently thinking of an appropriate usage fee that is convenient to users while also providing payment to the third party.
“The user end fee is not to make money off of the public,” Lucas said. “The fees will go to the contracted third party and the program itself will be paid for through the utilities billing general fund.”
Some students who live off campus and pay their own utilities praise the change.
“Even though I prefer paper billing statements, using a debit card would be easier because I wouldn’t have to buy checks to pay with or keep large amounts of cash on me,” said Casey O’Brien, an Ohio University senior studying geology.
Lucas plans to meet with service providers to see if they can offer the city any further directions.
jw384811@ohiou.edu
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