If Waukee voters decide in March that the city should sell its natural gas utility system, MidAmerican Energy Co. will be the buyer.
Waukee is having a special election March 4 for voters to decide whether the city should sell its municipal gas utility, and on Monday, Waukee City Council members picked from three options for the potential buyer:
Waukee City Administrator Brad Deets explained that the 10% premium feature in MidAmericans offer reflects the additional value the system would gain through growth during the time the city would still own and operate the utility while transitioning it to the companys control.
Are you tired of rushing to City Hall on the 20th of every month to pay your utility bill? Or maybe you’ve been hit with those annoying late fees because you forgot the payment deadline? Well I’ve been there too and that’s why I decided to create this complete guide to Waukee bill pay options!
As a Waukee resident for over 5 years, I’ve tried every payment method the city offers. Sometimes the online system was down, other times I forgot my checkbook, and once I even had to dash to City Hall during my lunch break! But now, I’ve mastered the art of utility payments in Waukee, and I’m here to share all my knowledge with you.
What’s Included in Your Waukee Utility Bill?
Before we dive into payment options, let’s clarify what you’re actually paying for. The City of Waukee utility bill covers:
- Water service
- Sanitary sewer
- Stormwater fees
- Garbage, recycling and yard waste collection
It’s important to know that electricity and natural gas services are NOT included in your city utility bill. Those services are provided by MidAmerican Energy, and you’ll need to pay them separately.
When Bills Are Sent and Payment Deadlines
The City of Waukee sends utility bills on the last business day of each month. This is super important to remember – your payment is due by the 20th of the following month
For example, if your bill is emailed on June 30, payment is due by July 20. Miss this deadline and you’ll get hit with a late fee. And if your payment isn’t received by the end of the month? You’ll find yourself on the dreaded disconnection list!
Waukee Bill Pay Methods: Choose What Works for You!
Now let’s get to the good stuff – all the different ways you can pay your Waukee utility bill!
1. Online Payment with Credit or Debit Card
This is probably the most convenient option for most people (it’s definitely my go-to method). You can pay online through the Municipal Online Payments system.
How to pay online:
- Visit https://waukeeia.municipalonlinepayments.com/waukeeia/utilities
- Click “Quick Pay” (no login necessary, just need your account number)
- Follow the prompts to complete your payment
Important note: There are fees for online payments! The system charges a 2% convenience fee from the credit card company, plus a fee from Tyler Technologies (the software company) for card number security.
2. Pay by Phone
If you’re not computer-savvy or just prefer talking to someone, you can pay by phone with a debit or credit card by calling 877-847-8583. But remember, fees apply here too.
3. Automatic Bank Draft (My Personal Recommendation)
This is honestly the best option if you want to avoid fees and never worry about missing a payment. You can set up automatic payments directly from your bank account, and there’s NO FEE from the City of Waukee!
To set this up, you’ll need to complete the recurring ACH bank draft form. It’s such a relief never having to remember payment deadlines!
If you need to stop automatic payments for any reason, just call the Utility Billing Department at 515-978-5502 or send them an email.
4. In-Person or Mail Payment
Old school but reliable! You can pay in person at Waukee City Hall (230 W. Hickman Road) with cash, check, or money order. There’s no fee for this method.
For mailed payments, send your check or money order to the same address. You can also use the drop box located at City Hall if you’re stopping by after hours.
Creating an Online Account for Better Bill Management
While you can make quick payments without an account, I strongly recommend creating an online account with Waukee’s bill pay system. It gives you several advantages:
- View your detailed bill history and usage patterns
- Manage multiple accounts (great for landlords!)
- Set up e-Billing to get your bills via email
- Configure email reminders so you never forget a payment
- Pay multiple bills at once
To create an account, visit the Municipal Online Payments site and click “Sign in or sign up.”
Tips for New Residents: Setting Up Utility Service
Just moved to beautiful Waukee? Welcome! Here’s what you need to know about setting up your utility service:
For New Residential Customers:
If you’re new to Waukee, you’ll need to set up a utility account for water and garbage service. Visit the city website and look for the “Start Service” form.
For Transfers Within Waukee:
Moving from one Waukee address to another? There’s a separate transfer form for that!
For Commercial Customers:
Business owners should call the Utility Billing Department directly at 515-978-5502 to set up service.
Remember, you’ll also need to contact MidAmerican Energy at 1-888-427-5632 to set up electricity and natural gas service, since those aren’t handled by the city.
Moving Out? Here’s How to Stop Your Service
When it’s time to leave (though we’ll miss you in Waukee!), make sure to request a stop to your utility service at least 24 hours before your move-out date. There’s a specific form for this on the city website.
If you’re just moving within Waukee, use the transfer form instead of the stop service form.
And don’t forget to call MidAmerican Energy to stop your electricity and gas service!
Special Features: Portable Irrigation Meters
Got a green thumb? If you use a lot of water for lawn irrigation, you might benefit from a portable irrigation meter. These meters can help you save money because they measure water that doesn’t enter the sanitary sewer system.
You must certify your meter at the beginning of the season to remain eligible for statement credits. Credits are given for each 1,000 gallons used. Check out the city website for more details and to submit your meter readings.
What If You’re Having Trouble Paying Your Bill?
We all go through tough times. If you’re struggling to pay your utility bill, Waukee offers several assistance programs:
- Project Share – a program that helps low-income households
- Various utility assistance programs through the state
Contact the Utility Billing Department to learn more about these options. They’re really helpful and understanding – I had to use one of these programs myself during a particularly difficult winter a few years back.
Common Questions About Waukee Bill Pay
How much will my deposit be for utilities?
Deposit amounts vary depending on your service type. The best way to get an accurate amount is to contact the Utility Billing Department directly.
When is yard waste cleanup?
Yard waste is collected regularly during certain seasons. The specific schedule is available on the city website or by contacting the Utility Billing Department.
What if I have an emergency water main break?
If you experience a water main break after hours (after 5 p.m. on weekdays or on weekends/holidays), call the emergency line at 515-249-1212.
Can I add another person to my utility account?
Yes! Adding someone to your account allows them to call for information and make payment arrangements. There’s a specific form for this on the city website. Just note that utility bills can only be sent to the primary email address on the account.
My Personal Experience with Waukee Bill Pay
When I first moved to Waukee, I was constantly forgetting to pay my bill on time. I tried setting phone reminders, but something always came up and I’d forget anyway. After getting hit with late fees three months in a row (ugh!), I finally set up automatic bank draft payments.
It was seriously the best decision ever! Now I never worry about my utility bill – it just gets paid automatically every month, and I don’t have to pay any convenience fees. The setup process was super easy too – just filled out a form and provided my banking info.
For those of you who prefer the digital route but don’t want automatic payments, I recommend at least signing up for email bills and reminders. It’s saved my neighbors hundreds in late fees!
Contact Information and Hours
If you have questions or need help with anything related to your utility bill, here’s how to reach the Utility Billing Department:
- Phone: 515-978-5502
- Email: [email protected]
- In person: Waukee City Hall, 230 W. Hickman Road
- Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
City Hall is closed on major holidays, including New Year’s Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving (and the day after), and Christmas Eve/Christmas.
Final Thoughts
Personally, I’m all about the automatic bank draft for the win, but the online payment system is great too if you don’t mind the small convenience fee. Whatever method you choose, just make sure to get those payments in by the 20th!
Do you have any questions I didn’t cover? Or maybe some bill payment tricks of your own? Drop a comment below – I’d love to hear from fellow Waukee residents!
Remember, we’re all in this together – even when it comes to paying those monthly utility bills!
Why does Waukee want to sell its natural gas system?
Waukee is the only city in the metro that operates its own gas utility and one of only 51 in the state.
Waukee is not a big enough player in the natural gas market to have sufficient leverage over the prices it pays for gas to stay competitive. Local demand is only expected to grow from a surging population. And increasingly unpredictable winter weather patterns — generally warmer than expected winters that can still deliver severe cold snaps — and other global market forces have been making the price of gas more expensive and not profitable to sell back if the city has a surplus.
City residents and staff already have been concerned about the price of natural gas in Waukee compared to neighboring cities. Deets previously told the Register that Waukees rates have been 20% to 50% higher than in neighboring communities.
That can mean the difference of anywhere from $15 to $40 on a homeowners bill, based on what Deets said of his own familys recent bill, and another residents bill the Register reviewed.
What would happen after a vote to sell?
More than 50% of voters have to approve for the sale to move forward.
The Iowa Utilities Commission also would have to approve the sale, Deets said.
MidAmerican would be expected to take control of the citys gas system by the end of the year. The company would set gas rates, control operations and send instructions to account holders about setting up new accounts and making payments.
Deets said city staff who operate the gas system — five people in Public Works and another three who handle billing — would still work for the city, in large part because Waukees growth would keep them needed in other roles.
