The City of Estevan is encouraging people to switch to electronic billing and preauthorized payments for their utility bills.
Estevan city council approved a motion at Monday night’s meeting to have an incentives program for those who make the switch from conventional paper bills.
In a report to city council, city manager Jeff Ward said the city still delivers about 2,000 utility bills on a bi-monthly basis, and the postage rate is $0.87.
It’s also important to get these bills out to the public as soon as possible, he said, especially since penalties can be applied for late fees.
“If we could entice anybody to sign up for e-billing and pre-authorized payments, it would really make that department a little more efficient in getting out the information, and reducing the cost of postage,” said Ward.
He cited the recent rotating strikes by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers as an example of the issues caused by conventional billing. It also costs more to send bills to customers than it used to.
With electronic billing, the utility bills would be sent via e-mail.
Also, to avoid missed bills and penalties, the city is encouraging customers to sign up for preauthorized payments that would be withdrawn from their accounts on the due date.
“A lot of people might like this option, because it’s out of sight, out of mind for them,” said Ward.
The city already offers e-billing and pre-authorized payments, but they want more people to sign up.
Members of council took turns offering their thoughts on the plan.
Councillor Shelly Veroba would like to see a form that could be sent out to people at the end of the year, so they know how much they have paid. It would be particularly valuable for those with home-based businesses.
Veroba also reminded the public that this would only cover utility rates, and they would need a separate electronic bill and pre-authorized payment for property taxes.
“Sometimes people believe that if they give you permission to take one, you have given them both … and that is not the case here,” she said.
She compared it to paperless billing with SaskTel, whereby there is one bill for cellular service, and another for home phone and other services.
Other members of council said this is a great idea. Councillor Lyle Yanish would like to see the process be a little easier to fill in online.
“You’re trying to stop the use of paper and all of the postage and all that stuff, so if there is some way, maybe look at it,” said Yanish.
Ward pointed out there are some issues with Local Authority Freedom of Information and Protection, and how municipalities collect information they receive, but the city would look into it.
Councillor Dennis Moore said there is also a safety advantage to paperless billing. He said if elderly people don’t have to venture out as often in the cold and icy conditions to pay the water bill and other bills, then it makes life easier for them.
“It sometimes takes a little convincing for the older people to sign up, because it’s something new, but if a person is a good salesperson, they can work their way around that,” said Moore.
To get people to sign up for e-billing, the city would offer quarterly draws in 2019 for each person who signs up for e-billing. Each draw would be for a $250 credit on their utility bill.
Once a person wins, they will not be eligible to win again.
The city would offer two draws in 2019 for those who sign up for pre-authorized payments, one in June and the other in December. The draw would be for an iPad.
To sign up for electronic billing and pre-authorized payments, Ward suggested they approach the utility clerk at city hall.
