How to Pay Your City of Elkins Bills Online: A Complete Guide

Have you been wondering about the easiest way to pay your City of Elkins bills? I totally get it – nobody wants to waste time standing in line at City Hall when there’s a simpler option. As someone who’s lived in Elkins for years, I’ve seen the payment systems evolve, and now the online payment process is better than ever!

The New InvoiceCloud System: What You Need to Know

The City of Elkins has recently upgraded their payment system to InvoiceCloud, which replaced the old PSN platform. This upgrade wasn’t just a name change – it actually brings some really cool benefits for residents like us

InvoiceCloud lets you pay almost all city bills online, including:

• Utility bills (water, sewer)
• Fire & rescue service fees
• Business licenses
• Building permits
• Special trash pickups
• B&O taxes
• And most other city invoices

The only exception is court fees which have their own separate payment system (more on that later).

How to Access InvoiceCloud

Getting to the payment portal is super simple:

1. Visit the City of Elkins website at cityofelkinswv.gov
2. Navigate to the “Departments” section
3. Click on “Finance”
4. Select “Online Payments”
5. Click the “Access InvoiceCloud” link

Or you can just go directly to the payment portal through the link provided on the city’s website.

Setting Up Your InvoiceCloud Account

I remember the first time I tried to set up my account – it was actually way easier than I expected! Here’s how you’ll do it:

1. After landing on the InvoiceCloud platform, you’ll see two options: “Utility & Fire Fees” or “Non-Utility Payments”
2. For regular utility bills, choose “Utility & Fire Fees”
3. Enter your account number in this specific format (including the dashes): ###-######-##
4. Enter at least the last name of the person on your account
5. On the next screen, check the box next to your account information
6. Click “Create Online Account” and follow the prompts

The account number format is super important – make sure you include those dashes or the system won’t recognize your account!

Paying Other City Bills Online

Besides utility bills, you can pay lots of other city charges online too. Here’s how:

1. When you receive any bill from the city (via mail or email)
2. Go to InvoiceCloud through the city website
3. Select “Non-Utility Payments” on the landing page
4. Enter the information requested for your specific bill type
5. Complete the payment process

This works great for one-time payments like building permits or special trash pickups.

Court Fees and Citations: A Different System

If you need to pay court fees, street sweeper tickets, parking tickets, or other citations, you’ll use a different system. These payments can be made through the “Court Payments” link on the Online Payments page.

I had a parking ticket last year and was surprised to find out it wasn’t paid through InvoiceCloud – it’s important to use the right system so your payment gets applied correctly!

Payment Methods Accepted

One thing I love about the new system is how many ways you can pay. InvoiceCloud accepts:

• Credit cards
• Debit cards
• ACH transfers (electronic checks)

This flexibility means you can choose whatever method works best for your situation.

Say Goodbye to Bank Bill Payment Services

Here’s something really important that many people don’t realize: those bill-payment services some banks offer (where they create a paper check and mail it) can actually cause problems with your City of Elkins payments.

The city has specifically warned that your payment can’t be credited to your utility account until that physical check arrives at their office – regardless of:

• When you initiated the transaction
• What date the bank prints on the check
• When the bank claims the check was delivered

I learned this the hard way last year when I thought my water bill was paid, but actually ended up with a late fee because the bank’s paper check took forever to arrive at City Hall.

The city strongly recommends switching to their online bill-payment service through InvoiceCloud instead, which is much faster and more reliable since it supports immediate electronic transfers.

Phone Payments: Changes to Know About

The city made another important change in January – city staff no longer accept payments by phone directly. This was done to improve security around customer financial information.

However, you can still make payments by phone or check your balances by calling (866) 370-0178. This is an automated system that’s secure and available 24/7.

If you have questions about using the phone payment service, you can contact:

Jennifer Shreve, Deputy Treasurer

• Phone: (304) 636-1414, ext. 1318
• Email: [email protected]

Benefits of Using Online Bill Pay

We’ve been talking about how to use the system, but WHY should you bother with online payments? Here are some big advantages I’ve found:

1. Convenience – Pay anytime, anywhere, without leaving home
2. Time-saving – No need to write checks, find stamps, or stand in line
3. Record-keeping – Electronic receipts and payment history at your fingertips
4. Avoid late fees – Set up reminders or automatic payments
5. Environmentally friendly – Less paper waste from checks and envelopes

Setting Up Autopay: Never Miss a Due Date

One of my favorite features of InvoiceCloud is the autopay option. Here’s how it works:

1. Create your online account as described above
2. Look for the autopay enrollment option in your account settings
3. Enter your preferred payment method
4. Choose whether you want to be charged automatically on the due date or a specific day of the month
5. Confirm your settings

With autopay, your bills get paid automatically every month – no more forgetting due dates or rushing to make last-minute payments!

Current Alerts and Important City Information

While we’re talking about city services, it’s worth noting some current alerts for Elkins residents:

• There’s a street closure on Wilson St. from Railroad to Martin (Oct. 9-15)
• Leaf pickup begins October 13
• Street sweeping ended October 2
• There’s a boil water advisory for areas behind Tygart Valley Mall to Harrison Ave.

If you want to stay informed about these types of alerts, you can sign up for the city’s emergency notification system. The link is available on the city’s website.

What If You Have Problems or Questions?

If you run into any issues with online payments or have questions about your bill, there’s help available:

Deputy Treasurer Jennifer Shreve

• Office: 401 Davis Avenue, Elkins, WV 26241
• Phone: (304) 636-1414, ext. 1318
• Email: [email protected]

The City of Elkins main contact information:

• Address: 401 Davis Avenue, Elkins, WV 26241
• Phone: 304.636.1414
• Social media: Facebook and Instagram

Tips for Smooth Bill Payment Experience

After using this system for awhile, I’ve picked up some helpful tips:

1. Save your confirmation numbers – Take screenshots or print receipts of successful payments
2. Pay a few days early – Even with online systems, processing can sometimes take 1-2 business days
3. Check your email – Make sure the city has your current email address for electronic bills and notifications
4. Update your payment methods – If you get a new credit card or change banks, don’t forget to update your stored payment information
5. Mark your calendar – Even with autopay, it’s good to know when payments are coming out of your account

Beyond Bill Pay: Other Online Services

While you’re managing your City of Elkins payments online, you might want to check out some other digital services the city offers:

• Notifications – Sign up for alerts about emergencies and important city announcements
• GIS Maps – Access property information and city maps online
• Meeting Agendas – Stay informed about upcoming City Council meetings
• Employment Opportunities – Check for job openings with the city

Final Thoughts

The transition to InvoiceCloud has made paying City of Elkins bills easier than ever before. The system is user-friendly, secure, and offers lots of convenient options for managing your payments.

I remember the days of having to mail checks or physically go to City Hall to pay bills – this new system is definitely an improvement! As someone who pays multiple city bills, I’ve been really happy with how smooth the online process has become.

If you haven’t tried the online bill pay system yet, I’d definitely recommend giving it a shot. The initial setup only takes a few minutes, and it’ll save you tons of time and hassle in the long run.

Have you used the City of Elkins online payment system? What was your experience like? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Quick Reference: Important Links & Contacts

• InvoiceCloud Access: Available through cityofelkinswv.gov > Departments > Finance > Online Payments
• Court Payments: Separate link on the Online Payments page
• Phone Payments: (866) 370-0178
• Questions: Jennifer Shreve at (304) 636-1414, ext. 1318 or [email protected]
• City of Elkins Main Contact: (304) 636-1414

With these resources at your fingertips, managing your City of Elkins bills should be a breeze. No more paper checks, no more waiting in line – just simple, convenient payments from the comfort of your home!