Hey there, fellow Kennewick residents! Today I’m gonna walk you through everything you need to know about paying your City of Kennewick bills Whether you’re looking to pay your water bill, sewer charges, or even an ambulance bill, I’ve got you covered with all the details As someone who’s lived in Kennewick for years, I’ve figured out all the tips and tricks to make this process as painless as possible!
What Bills Can You Pay to the City of Kennewick?
Before we dive into the “how” let’s talk about what bills you might need to pay to the city
- Utility Bills – This includes water, sewer, and sometimes garbage services
- Ambulance Bills – If you’ve used the city’s ambulance services
- Permits and Inspections – For building and development projects
- Business Licenses – Annual fees for operating a business in Kennewick
The most common bills most of us regular folks deal with are utility bills, so I’ll focus mostly on those, but I’ll touch on the others too.
Online Bill Pay Options – The Easiest Way!
The City of Kennewick has made it super convenient to pay your bills online through their Utility Billing self-service portal Here’s what you need to know
Utility Bill Payment Online
The online portal at go2kennewick.com gives you access to:
- Check your account balance
- View your transaction history
- Pay your bills
- Examine your usage information
- Set up automatic payments
It’s available 24/7, except during scheduled maintenance times (more on that in a bit).
Step-by-Step Guide to Online Utility Bill Payment
- Visit the official website at go2kennewick.com/355/Pay-Utility-Bill-Online
- Click on “Utility Billing” option
- Log in with your account information
- If you don’t have an account yet, you’ll need to register using your utility account number
- Once logged in, select “Make a Payment”
- Enter your payment amount and payment method details
- Confirm your payment and save/print your receipt
Important Note About System Maintenance
This is something I wish I knew earlier! The city’s online systems have regular maintenance periods when they’re not available:
- Weekly Maintenance: Every Thursday from 6am to 7am
- Special Maintenance: Occasionally scheduled at other times (like the Friday, February 2nd maintenance from 8:30am to 10:30am)
During these times, Utility Billing and Public Records Search services are unavailable. I made this mistake once trying to pay my bill at 6:30am on a Thursday before work and couldn’t figure out why the system was down!
Other Ways to Pay Your Kennewick Utility Bills
Not everyone’s comfortable with online payments, and that’s totally fine! The city offers several other payment methods:
Pay by Phone
You can call the city’s payment line to pay using a credit or debit card. Have your account number and card ready.
Pay in Person
If you’re like my neighbor who prefers handling things face-to-face, you can pay at:
- Kennewick City Hall: 210 W 6th Ave, Kennewick, WA 99336
- Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm
Pay by Mail
Send your check or money order to the City of Kennewick’s payment address. Be sure to include your account number on your check!
Drop Box
There’s a secure drop box outside City Hall where you can drop off payments 24/7. I’ve used this numerous times when I’ve forgotten to pay until after hours.
Paying Ambulance Bills
If you’ve had to use Kennewick’s ambulance services, the payment process is slightly different:
- Access the ambulance bill payment option through go2kennewick.com/678/Pay
- Select “Ambulance Bill”
- Follow the prompts to complete your payment
The city accepts a variety of payment options for ambulance bills, similar to utility payments.
Business Licensing Payments
For my fellow small business owners in Kennewick, the city partners with the State of Washington Business License Service’s (BLS) combined licensing program. This is actually super helpful since it saves time by combining renewals and applications into one process.
To pay for business licenses:
- Visit the online services section at go2kennewick.org
- Select “Business Licensing”
- Follow the state’s BLS system instructions
Setting Up Auto-Pay for Your Kennewick Bills
This has been a lifesaver for me! I used to always forget to pay my utility bill until I got set up on auto-pay. Here’s how you can do it too:
- Log into your account on the utility billing portal
- Look for the “Auto-Pay” or “Recurring Payments” option
- Enter your payment information
- Select which day of the month you want payments processed
- Confirm your settings
Auto-pay ensures your bills are paid on time every month without you having to remember!
What If You’re Having Trouble Paying Your Kennewick Bill?
We all go through tight spots sometimes. If you’re having difficulty paying your utility bill, it’s best to contact the City of Kennewick’s Utility Billing department at 509-585-4200 before your bill becomes overdue. They can sometimes work with you on payment arrangements.
Common Questions About Kennewick Bill Payments
When are Kennewick utility bills due?
Typically, bills are due within 20 days of the billing date. The exact due date will be shown on your bill.
What payment methods does Kennewick accept?
- Credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Discover)
- Debit cards
- Electronic checks
- Physical checks
- Cash (in-person only)
Is there a fee for paying online?
There might be a small convenience fee for using credit cards, depending on the city’s current policy. E-checks usually don’t have fees.
What do I do if I didn’t receive my bill?
Even if you don’t receive a physical bill, you’re still responsible for payment. If you haven’t received your bill, you can check your balance online or call the Utility Billing department.
Can I get an extension on my payment?
In some cases, yes. Contact the city’s Utility Billing department to discuss your options before your bill is overdue.
Tips for Managing Your Kennewick City Bills
After years of dealing with these bills, I’ve picked up a few helpful strategies:
- Set calendar reminders if you’re not using auto-pay
- Track your usage patterns to anticipate higher bills (like summer water usage)
- Check for leaks if your water bill suddenly increases
- Keep your account information updated with current phone and email
- Save receipts of your payments for at least a year
- Consider budget billing if it’s offered, to even out seasonal fluctuations
My Personal Experience with Kennewick Bill Pay
When I first moved to Kennewick, I was a bit confused about the whole utility billing system. I missed a payment because I didn’t realize how the billing cycles worked, and ended up with a late fee. After that experience, I switched to auto-pay and haven’t had an issue since!
One thing to watch out for is those maintenance windows. Like I mentioned earlier, I once tried to make a payment early in the morning during the Thursday maintenance window and panicked when the system was down. Now I know better!
Final Thoughts
Paying your City of Kennewick bills doesn’t have to be complicated or stressful. With the various payment options available and the convenience of the online portal, you can choose what works best for your lifestyle.
Remember that City Hall is available to help if you have questions. You can reach them at 509-585-4200 during business hours (8:30am-4:30pm, Monday through Friday).
We’re lucky to have such accessible services here in Kennewick. When I talk to friends in other cities, some of them still have to mail in checks or visit payment centers in person for every bill!
Stay cool, Kennewick neighbors! And don’t forget those Thursday morning maintenance times if you’re an early bird bill-payer like me!
Useful Links
- City of Kennewick Online Services
- Pay Utility Bills Online
- Pay Ambulance Bills
- City Hall Contact Information – Phone: 509-585-4200
Remember, staying on top of your city bills keeps our services running smoothly for everyone. We’re all in this together!
Sign up for Autopay to have your utility payment automatically deducted from your checking account on the due date.
Participating in the Citys Automatic Payment Plan means you never miss a payment – even when you are on vacation or out of town. You also save postage and no mail delays! Use your routing number and bank account number from your check as shown above to complete your autopay form. Submit the fillable form online or download a .pdf version to submit in office:
