In order to spend ratepayer funds on services and improvements to our utility systems rather than on bill collecting, we have established the following procedures to assure timely payment of amounts due.
Meter Reading:Â Water and gas meters are checked and read each month. Depending upon your cycle, meter readings begin on approximately the 1st, 10th, 17th and 25th of each month. Your utility bill is then calculated, processed and statements are mailed.
Bill payment terms:
The bill is due and payable upon receipt. To avoid a penalty charge, your payment must be received on or before 14 days after the bill date. The due date applies to current charges only.
Late penalty:
A 10% penalty will be assessed against all past-due charges if payment is not received on or before 14 days after the bill date.
Notification of delinquency:
Once a bill becomes delinquent and a penalty is assessed, a courtesy notice of delinquency is mailed to the customer approximately 20 days after the bill date. If no payment is received by the date and time indicated on the notice, service will then be terminated and a lock will be placed on the meter.
Non-payment:
Services terminated due to non-payment will be subject to a re-connection charge of $60.00 from 7:30a.m. to 3:30p.m. and $80.00 if re-connection occurs after 3:30p.m.
Payment Options:
Pay on-line at www.cityofgulfbreeze.com
Bank draft – The amount due is drafted from you bank account – checking or savings – each month and electronically presented to our financial institution one business day prior to your due date. When payment is due on a weekend or holiday, it will be sent to our financial institution the prior business day. This convenient payment option insures you will never pay a late penalty as a result of forgetting to pay or being out of town and will not have the hassle and expense of writing and mailing payments. You will continue to receive a monthly utility bill; however, the bill will note “BANK DRAFT – DO NOT PAY”.
Standard mail.
In person at City Hall
Have not received your bill:Â
If you do not receive your bill or if you are going to be out of town, you may  contact the Utility Department at City Hall to receive your billing information to avoid any late penalties or inconveniences.
Return checks:
Return checks:
When we are notified by the bank that a check has been returned unpaid:
1) If the check is for a current bill, we redeposit the check and add a $35.00 return check fee to your account.
2) If the check is for a past due bill, your utility services are disconnected. To have service reconnected, the outstanding balance, an NSF check fee, and a $25.00 reconnect will be due before restoration of service. If service is turned on after 3:30p.m., the reconnect fee will be $50.00
Payment will only be accepted in the form of cash, money order, certified check, or credit card.
Disconnection can be avoided by contacting our office immediately upon determining that your check will be returned.
