[Press Release] : FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Columbia Utilities billing office closed Thursday and Friday

[Press Releases]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Connie Kacprowicz, Communications & Marketing Supervisor
Columbia Water & Light

Jim Windsor, Assistant Director
Columbia Utilities

573-874-7325
wlmail at CoMo.gov


Columbia Utilities billing office closed Thursday and Friday

COLUMBIA, MO (August 22, 2016) - While the Columbia Utilities Department is shutting the old billing software system down and the new one is put in place, the office will be closed on Thursday, Aug. 25 and Friday, Aug. 26. The billing office will open again on Monday, Aug. 29. The City of Columbia appreciates the customers’ patience during this billing transition period. Here are some more details about the closure:

 


*The Utility Customer service office will be closed to walk-in customers, phone calls and e-mails.

*The City of Columbia’s cashiers’ office will be open so utility payments can be accepted if a customer brings in their bill. The cashiers can also take payments for other city services.

*The drive-thru and the payment box behind City Hall will be available for people to drop off payments.

*Online services at CoMo.gov will be available so customers can sign up for new services, transfer services or disconnect services.

*Payments over the phone and through the City's website will not be available.


 

The new software provides greater transparency for Columbia utility customers. The billing process will be more efficient, saving staff time. The customer’s bill will now be double-sided, giving customers the opportunity to have more details on how utilities are charged. There will be up to two years of electric and water usage data graphs so customers can track consumption. Rates for each utility service will be itemized. Customers will start receiving the new bills the first week of September. A sample of the letter sent to the customers this week is attached. To see more details about the new bill format, please go to: http://www.como.gov/WaterandLight/Connections/UnderstandingYourUtilityBill.php

 

When customers receive their first new bill, they might notice:


*Some adjustments on the number of billing days in the cycle.

*Customers with fixed bill payment dates might be adjusted and automatic bank payment dates might be shifted.

*There are two separate software modules for paper and electronic billing so those that have signed up for electronic bills will be getting a paper copy until the winter/spring of 2017.



This release has the following attachments:

http://www.como.gov/CMS/pressreleases/downloadfile.php?id=1343



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