HOT SPRINGS – Customers who currently use the city’s website to pay or receive their utility bill online will need to register at www.cityhs.net beginning May 1 for the city’s newly-modernized online payment and pay-by-phone system.
Hot Springs Municipal Utilities has partnered with FirstTech, Inc. of St. Louis, MO to launch a cutting-edge bill payment and presentment system. After April 30, the old online billing system will be discontinued. Beginning May 1, customers can visit the city’s home page and click on the rotating photo that says “Register here for new utility bill system.” They will see the familiar image of a little girl with a water hose, along with an array of new options including paperless billing and automated payments.
“Today, more customers expect the ability to pay at the right time, the right place and with the right method that provides them the greatest convenience,” said Municipal Customer Operations Director James Nixon. “The new system not only expands our service and payment options, but enhances the ones we currently offer. These new options will better meet the needs of our diverse customer base.”
The new mobile bill pay option allows customers to reply to an automatic text message that reminds them their bill is ready for payment. They can pay their bill anytime with a credit card, debit card or e-check.
HSMU customer service representatives will continue to accept e-check, credit or debit card payments in person at the Bill Edwards Center, 517 Airport Road. Walk-in payments will also be accepted in new authorized payment locations, to be announced soon. Additionally, customers can still pay by dropbox or mail.
The new bill also looks quite different from the old one. Customers will receive a detailed explanation of the new bill layout enclosed in the May billing cycle.
The city’s IVR (Interactive Voice Response) system now requires customers to dial a new phone number to pay by phone anytime, anywhere. The new number is 866-217-3144.
In the updated Online Bill Payment Center, customers will now be able to set up a profile with a personalized “dashboard” that provides individual choices about their bill. They can view their payment history, schedule single or recurring payments, receive payment confirmation, and receive email bill notifications via email or text. Corporate customers will be able to pay and view their bills via a single login. Customers can also make a one-time payment without being enrolled in the system. For information, call 321-6880.