City of Asheville launches easy-to-use Utility Express Pay portal

Press release from the City of Asheville:

Paying your City of Asheville Combined Utility Statement just got a whole lot easier. The City has launched a new online payment portal, Utility Express Pay.

The enhanced portal now features:

·         Fast and easy registration;

·         A way to schedule recurring payments;

·         Acceptance of debit, credit and eChecks;

·         Paperless billing;

·         A place to review past bills and payments; and

.      Ability to view and pay multiple accounts at once.

 

To use Utility Express Pay, go to ashevillenc.gov and click on “Pay Your Bill,” found in the “Water” box at the center of the homepage. Then select “Customer Self Service.”

Don’t want to register? You can still use the payment portal for one-time payments, or pay by phone using our automated system.  Call 828-251-1122.

“We are excited about these changes to our customer self service options.  They reflect our continual commitment to providing a superior customer service experience,” said Florie Presnell, Customer Services Division Manager.  “We recognize that customers want flexibility, accessibility, convenience and a user-friendly experience without sacrificing security. We believe these new features deliver them.”

Other ways to pay

The Customer Services window on the First Floor of City Hall is still available for in-person payments during business hours Monday through Friday.  Customers can also make payments 24/7 in English or Spanish using our automated phone system by calling 828-251-1122.

The City also has two payment drop boxes available at these locations:

·         City-County Plaza, first roundabout when entering the plaza. (Payments after 4:00 pm are processed the next day.)

·         Public Works Building, 161 South Charlotte Street  (Payments are processed the next day.)

About Asheville’s Combined Utility Statements

The following charges can appear on your Combined Utility Statement:

Water Consumption Charge —Determined by the amount of water used, a customer is charged by the number of ccf’s (100 cubic feet, or 748 gallons) of water used.  The number of ccf’s is multiplied by the appropriate cost by class (different for residential, multi-family, or commercial customers).

Capital Improvement Fee — This is a dedicated revenue source, based on meter size, and can only be used to improve the water infrastructure. Money collected through the Capital Improvement Fee is used to replace old water lines, update water production facilities,  pumps and reservoirs.

Base Fee — This is used to cover the relevant cost of billing. Those costs include: Customer Services and Water Maintenance personnel; material and computer resources to produce bills; postage and other related expenses.

Stormwater Fee — Charges are based on the amount of impervious area on the property.  One Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU) represents 2,442 square feet of impervious area.  Money collected is used to improve the public storm drain system.

Solid Waste Fee — Charges are assessed for solid waste collection services in the City.  Charges include one 95-gallon roll cart per household per month. Rental fees for additional roll carts apply.

Sewer Treatment Charge — Like the Water Consumption Charge, this is determined by the amount of water used.  The number of ccf’s is multiplied by the cost per ccf for sewer treatment. The sewer treatment charge per ccf is the same for all customer classes.  All money collected for sewer treatment and maintenance charges is sent to the Metropolitan Sewerage District (MSD). This money is not retained by the City of Asheville.

Sewer Maintenance Fee — Just like the water Capital Improvement Fee, this is a dedicated revenue source used by MSD to upgrade and improve the regional sewer system. The charge is based on meter size.