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Utilities & Payments - Frequently Asked Questions

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Auto Pay for Utility Bills

How do I set up automatic payments?

The City of St. Charles offers two different options for automatic payment:

  1. Auto Pay - Checking or Savings Account: To pay your utility bill through ACH without a fee, please complete the online enrollment form. Within five business days AFTER submitting the request form, you will receive an email confirming that the automatic payment has been set up. You will continue to receive a monthly bill via mail or email letting you know the amount to be deducted on your due date. If the due date is a weekend or holiday the withdrawal will take place the next business day. If, for any reason, the City receives notification of an invalid automatic withdrawal, the unsuccessful transaction it will be treated the same as a check returned unpaid by the bank and additional fees will assessed.
  2. Auto Pay – Debit/Credit Card, eCheck, etc.: To pay your utility bill using a Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or eCheck, you must first create an online utility account. You can then enroll your utility account in Auto Pay under the “Bills & Payment” tab. *Please note* ALL payments made using our payment processor will be charged a $3.95 fee per transaction.

 

 

I currently pay my utility bill from my checking account with Auto Pay established with the City. Do I have to set up an online utility account to continue?

No. The City will continue to process existing Auto Pay transactions that were set up using our “in-house” auto pay option. Though you have the option to create an online profile to enroll in “paperless billing” or to view utility usage and transaction history.

Please note, if you had previously set up Auto Payment online using the old online system, Paymentus (i.e. the system used before February 13th, 2024) you would need to create a new online profile to re-enroll in Auto Pay with a debit/credit card or eCheck.

*Please note* as a reminder, ALL payments made using our online payment processor will be charged a $3.95 fee per transaction. Auto Pay that is established directly with the City’s “in-house” Auto Pay is not charged a fee.

I currently pay my utility bill with Auto Pay from my checking account. I want to change the form of payment to a credit card. Do I have to set up an online profile to do that?

Yes. To have access to the additional forms of automatic payments, you must create an online profile.

*Please note* ALL payments made using our online payment processor will be charged a $3.95 fee per transaction.

Please note your city established Auto Pay payment schedule will continue as a default payment method only if there is a balance due on your account on your due date. To avoid using this default Auto Pay, please:

  1. Pay your account balance through the online customer portal (or other means such as in person or through mail) prior to your due date.
  2. Contact the City Utility Billing office at 630.377.4426 or utilitybilling@stcharlesil.gov to cancel your existing Auto Pay schedule prior to your due date. 

 

updated Feb 23, 2018