A Guide to Paying Your City of Medford Utility Bill

Living in the beautiful city of Medford, Oregon comes with many perks – lush nature, a vibrant downtown, and a tight-knit community. One thing that every resident needs to stay on top of is paying their monthly utility bill to the City of Medford. As a longtime resident, I’ve gotten quite familiar with the ins and outs of paying my City of Medford utility bill efficiently In this article, I’ll walk through everything you need to know as a Medford resident when it comes time to pay your monthly bill

Understanding Your City of Medford Utility Bill

Your utility bill from the City of Medford likely covers several services, including water sewer stormwater, and street maintenance fees. The bill comes on a monthly cadence, so it’s important to review the charges each month to ensure accuracy.

Key sections to look for on your City of Medford utility bill:

• Account number – This unique number identifies your household with the City.
• Service address – Verify this matches your physical address.
• Billing date – This shows the period covered by that month’s charges.
• Payment due date – The date payment must be received by to avoid late fees.
• Previous balance – Any past due balance from prior bills.
• Current charges – A breakdown of your monthly charges for each utility service.
• Water consumption – Your households’ water usage in gallons for the billing period.
• Total amount due

Take time each month when you receive the bill to review the above details for accuracy Reach out to the City with any discrepancies

Payment Options for City of Medford Bills

The City of Medford offers several payment options to take care of your monthly utility bill:

• Online – The fastest and easiest way to pay is through the City’s online bill pay system. You can pay by eCheck from a bank account or with a credit/debit card (fees apply).

• Phone – Call the City’s utility department at 541-774-2140 to pay over the phone using a credit card or eCheck.

• Mail – Detach and mail the payment stub from your paper bill along with a check or money order. Allow 5-7 days for mail delivery.

• Drop box – The City has secure drop boxes at City Hall, 411 W 8th Street, and the Lausmann Annex, 200 S Ivy Street. Include your payment stub.

• In person – Bring your bill and payment to the cashier at the Lausmann Annex. They accept cash, checks, credit/debit cards.

I recommend enrolling in online bill pay so you can quickly log in each month and take care of your bill with just a few clicks.

Setting Up an Online Account with the City

Signing up for online bill pay takes just a few minutes and makes managing your City of Medford utility account much easier.

To create an online account, you’ll need:

• Your 9-digit City of Medford account number
• Last 4 digits of the primary account holder’s Social Security Number

1. Go to City’s online bill pay website and select “Register Now”

2. Enter your account number, the last 4 of your SSN, and create a username and password.

3. Verify your email address and log in to your new account.

Once your account is created, you can easily view balances, see payment history, enroll in autopay, update contact info, and more whenever is convenient for you.

Payment Plan Options from the City

If you’re struggling to pay your utility bill, the City of Medford offers payment arrangements to spread out your balance over time.

To set up a payment plan:

• Call 541-774-2140 or email [email protected]
• Explain your situation and request a payment arrangement
• The City will work with you to create a reasonable payment schedule that fits your budget

Some options like a 25% down payment may be required. As long as you follow the agreed payment schedule, your utilities will remain on.

Avoiding Late Fees on Your Bill

I definitely recommend doing whatever you can to pay your City of Medford utility bill before the due date each month. If your payment is late, you will be charged a penalty of 8% on the unpaid balance. This can add up quickly!

A few tips to avoid late fees:

• Enroll in autopay through the online bill system to automatically pay your bill each month.

• If mailing payment, allow 5-7 business days for it to reach the City before the due date. Payments must be received, not just mailed, before the due date.

• Mark your calendar with bill due date reminders so you remember to pay on time.

• Follow up immediately if you haven’t received your bill close to the due date. You are still responsible for timely payment, even if the bill was not received.

Paying your City of Medford bill on time every month makes your life easier by avoiding penalty fees.

Assistance Programs Available for Residents

If you are experiencing financial hardship and are unable to pay your utility bill, there are assistance programs available:

• Access, Inc. – Helps pay bills during times of financial crisis for those who qualify. Call 541-779-6691.

• St. Vincent de Paul – Offers one-time utility bill assistance. Call 541-772-3828.

• United Community Action Network (UCAN) – Provides discounted utility rates and bill payment assistance for qualifying households. Call 541-732-3722.

Don’t hesitate to reach out to these organizations if you are struggling to cover your City utilities. They can evaluate your situation and connect you with resources to help.

Moving Out? How to Close Your City Account

If you are moving out of Medford, it’s important to close out your account with the City properly to avoid being charged for utilities at your old address.

To close your City of Medford utility account:

• Notify the City at least 3 days before your move by calling 541-774-2140 or emailing [email protected]. Provide your new address for the final bill.

• Provide a forward address where the City can send your final bill, which will cover charges through your last day of service.

• Review the final bill carefully and pay the total amount due. This closes the account.