The Centralia City Council Monday night approved a new fee structure for debit and credit card users and an upgrade of its utility billing system to provide more information to utility customers.
City Manager Kory Smith explained the new services.
“The residents will be able to access account information online 24/7 even if they choose not to pay online. We are trying to allow our citizens to have more access to the water bill in real time. They can go online and see what the are incurring and see their bill online.”
Smith says customers do not have to pay by credit or debit card to see the real time data on their accounts. All city utility customers using debit or credit cards will pay a 2-percent convenience fee. For those paying on line through a State of Illinois system the cost will come down from 2.25-percent fee now being charged. There has been no cost in the past for paying with a debit or credit card in person at city hall. Smith says as a result the city is now losing $700 a month in fees not being recovered. He added the city is only recovering costs and not making any money through the fees being charged.
The council agreed to a $4,672 software upgrade of their system through Taylor Technologies to offer the new services. The new system should be up and running by October. There will then be a $3,264 recurring fee for the system.
The council approved the Salem High School Bass Fishing Team using Centralia Lake on August 13th and September 3rd and Raccoon Lake on September 10th for fishing tournaments. The council also waived the speed limit on Raccoon Lake for the boat races that will be held next month.
The city council commended all the businesses that are participating in the downtown concert series that started this past Sunday. Councilmen Izzy Fontenaz and Barri Allen felt it was a great family event. Fontenaz also commended those who assisted with the Veterans 4th of July parade, noting it continues to grow.
