Beginning August 3, 2015, the City of Douglas will implement a $2.00 fee for each credit card/debit card transaction used in person or over the phone with the City. Additionally, the processing fee will increase from $20.00 to $30.00 for new utility service, transfer of utility service, and re-connect utility services.
The processing fee associated with new utility service, transfer of utility service, and re-connect utility services has been in effect for a long time. The last time the fee was increased was in 2004, when the charge went from $15.00 to $20.00. The current increase is an administrative fee to cover costs associated with research, setup, and processing for these services. The credit/debit card courtesy fee is being added to offset some of the fees charged to the City by the credit/debit card companies.
“With the addition of debit cards and more people using debit cards, the fees charged to the City has greatly increased in the last 3 years”, says City Manager Terrell Jacobs.
The City offers customers other payment methods that include paying with check, cash, cashier’s check or money order without any additional charges. Customers can also have their utility bill drafted from their checking account. Customers who wish to pay online, can still establish an on-line bill pay account through the City of Douglas website, however, there is a $.50 charge per transaction that is charged by the website host provider.
For more information, please call 311 or 912-384-3302.
