Administrative Brief
COMMISSION INFORMATION MEMORANDUM
VOL. 32 NO. 11 April 8, 2010
ADMINISTRATIVE BRIEF FROM ROD FRANZ
More new features for Water Customer Accounting
As you may recall, we recently implement ed an internet based a ccount management system
(Click2Gov) for our Water Customer Accounting Division. We now have two more features available
for our customers (and potential customers) that will provide additional benefits for both the customer
and the city.
Electronic (paperless) billing notification:
We are now offering billing notification via e-mail in addition to or in place of the traditional mailed bills.
If the customer has selected to be notified electronically, when bills are generated by the system,
they will receive an e-mail that will provide basic information, including the account number, address
billed, due date and the total amount due. If the customer desires additional information, they will be
able to use either the telephone system or the internet in order to obtain more details regarding their
account.
As you may know, we often include inserts in the billing. These inserts may be in the nature of
required public notices (the annual Water Quality Report), or notices of city-sponsored events. For
those customers receiving electronic notification, a link will be included to the Water Utility webpage to
view current and past due inserts.
The City of Salina spends on the order of $110,000 per year in postage costs. Electronic notification
will help control this cost, and, to a limited extent, reduce costs associated with printing and paper
expense. This will be a gradual transition, depending on the number of customers who sign up.
In order to participate, customers should contact the Water Customer Accounting office at 309-5740,
press zero to get to a Customer Service R epresentative, and ask to be placed on electronic
notification, or fill out the E-Bill notification form found on the Water Utility webpage. Customers will
need to provide us with their e-mail address for notification.
Service Orders online:
Customers may now request certain kinds of service through the internet. Orders may be placed for
starting services requesting a transfer to a new address and for stopping service. Customers will also
be able to request electronic (paperless) billing.The customer will be asked to provide the same
information as would be requested in-person. If the required information cannot be provided or if the
customer chooses not to provide it over the internet, then they will need to call or come into the office
to make the request. This system will extend accessibility to these services to nights and weekends,
and will also hopefully increase the efficiency with which services can be provided.
Click2Gov Update:
Click2Gov (internet payments) has now been active for about a month. We are currently receiving
about 15 payments per day, and the system is receiving 270 hits per day. A bill message is included
on the water bill introducing the online services.We also did a limited direct mailing to those
customers using “Bank Pay” services advising them that the internet option is now available.
CIM Page
2
MONDAY'S MEETING
Enclosed are other items on the agenda. If any Commissioner has questions or cannot
attend the meeting, please contact me.
Jason A. Gage
City Manager