Hey there, Mount Dora residents! If you’re like me, you’ve probably found yourself scrambling to pay your utility bill at the last minute. Trust me, I’ve been there too many times! That’s why I decided to create this comprehensive guide about Mount Dora utilities bill pay options. The city has made some changes to their system recently, and I want to make sure you have all the info you need to keep those utilities flowing without any hiccups.
The New Online Bill Pay Portal
Mount Dora has introduced a new online bill pay portal that makes paying your utilities easier than ever before I was actually surprised by how user-friendly it is compared to the old system!
How to Access the Portal
To pay your Mount Dora utilities bill online, simply visit the city’s official website at ci.mount-dora.fl.us/666/Online-Bill-Pay. This dedicated page will give you direct access to the payment system.
What You’ll Need
Before you start, make sure you have:
- Your account number
- Your PIN number
- A payment method (credit/debit card or bank account info)
Account Number Format – Important!
This is where a lot of people get stuck! When entering your account number you must follow this specific format
- Enter 6 digits before the hyphen and 6 digits after the hyphen
- If your account number doesn’t have enough digits, add zeros at the beginning
- Example: 000123-000456
I learned this the hard way when I tried entering my account number without the leading zeros and kept getting an error message. So frustrating!
PIN Number Information
Your PIN number for the new system remains the same as before. However, there’s one important change:
- If your previous PIN was longer than 8 characters, it’s now shortened to just the first 8 characters
Forgot your PIN? No worries! You can contact Mount Dora’s Customer Service department at (352) 735-7105, and they’ll help you reset it
Going Paperless with E-Bills
I made the switch to paperless billing last year, and it’s been SO convenient. Mount Dora offers an e-billing notification service that sends your monthly utility bill straight to your email.
Benefits of E-Bills
- No more lost bills in the mail
- Immediate notification when your bill is ready
- Environmentally friendly (save those trees!)
- Easier to track and organize your bills
Privacy Consideration
One thing to note – under Florida law, email addresses are considered public records. If you’re concerned about privacy, you might want to contact the office directly by phone at (352) 735-7100 or in writing instead of using email.
Current System Limitations
It’s important to be aware that there are currently some limitations with the Mount Dora utilities online payment system. When I tried to access the BS&A Online payment system (the backend provider), I encountered a notice stating “Online Payments are currently not supported by the Utility Billing system.”
This doesn’t mean you can’t pay online at all – it just means the city is using their own portal system rather than the BS&A integrated payment option. I find that the city’s direct portal actually works better anyway!
Alternative Payment Methods
Not everyone likes paying bills online, and that’s totally fine! Mount Dora offers several other ways to pay your utility bill:
In-Person Payments
You can pay your bill in person at:
- Mount Dora City Hall
- 510 N Baker St.
- Mount Dora, FL 32757
The staff there is always super helpful whenever I’ve had to stop by with questions.
Payment by Phone
Call the Customer Service department at (352) 735-7105 to pay over the phone.
Payment by Mail
Send your payment to:
- City of Mount Dora
- Utilities Department
- P.O. Box 176
- Mount Dora, FL 32756
Just make sure to allow enough time for mail delivery!
Common Problems and Solutions
“My Payment Was Rejected”
This usually happens because:
- Incorrect account number format (remember those leading zeros!)
- Expired credit card
- Insufficient funds
- Incorrect PIN
Double-check all your information before submitting payment. If problems persist, the Customer Service team can usually pinpoint the exact issue.
“I Can’t Log In”
If you’re having trouble accessing the system:
- Make sure you’re using the correct account number format
- Try resetting your PIN by calling (352) 735-7105
- Clear your browser cache or try a different browser
“When Is My Bill Due?”
Mount Dora utility bills are typically due 20 days after they’re issued. The exact due date should be listed on your bill, and late fees apply after that date.
I’ve found that setting up a monthly calendar reminder has saved me from late fees more than once!
Understanding Your Mount Dora Utility Bill
It took me a while to figure out exactly what I was being charged for on my utility bill. Here’s a breakdown of what you might see:
- Water usage: Charged based on gallons used
- Sewer service: Usually calculated based on water usage
- Garbage collection: Flat rate for residential customers
- Stormwater fee: Helps maintain stormwater management systems
- Public service tax: Applied to electricity portion of the bill
The city uses a tiered rate system for water, which means the more water you use, the higher your rate per gallon becomes. It’s their way of encouraging conservation, which I can appreciate even though it sometimes makes my summer bills painfully high!
Money-Saving Tips
Speaking of high bills, I’ve found a few ways to keep my Mount Dora utility costs down:
- Check for leaks: Even small leaks can dramatically increase your water bill
- Install low-flow fixtures: Reduces water usage without affecting performance
- Use energy-efficient appliances: Lower electricity consumption means lower bills
- Adjust your thermostat: Even a degree or two can make a difference
- Sign up for budget billing: This spreads your annual costs evenly across 12 months
Recent Updates to Mount Dora Utilities
The city has been making some improvements to their utility services lately. From what I understand, they’ve been updating the water treatment facilities and expanding service areas.
There was also that boil water advisory in Dora Pines recently, but thankfully it’s been lifted now. These things happen occasionally, especially during system maintenance or after storms.
Who to Contact for Help
If you’re still having trouble with your Mount Dora utilities bill pay, don’t hesitate to reach out for help:
- Customer Service: (352) 735-7105
- City Hall: (352) 735-7100
- Email: [email protected]
- In person: 510 N Baker St., Mount Dora, FL 32757
The customer service team is generally available Monday through Friday during normal business hours.
Final Thoughts
Paying bills isn’t anyone’s favorite activity, but Mount Dora has made some decent improvements to their system that make it less painful. The online portal is definitely the most convenient option for most of us, despite a few quirks with the account number format.
I’d love to hear about your experiences with Mount Dora utilities! Have you found any clever tricks for remembering to pay on time or keeping your usage down? Drop a comment below and let’s share our wisdom.
Until next time, stay cool (but don’t crank that A/C too high – your bill will thank you)!
Quick Reference Guide
| Payment Method | Contact/Address | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Online | ci.mount-dora.fl.us/666/Online-Bill-Pay | 24/7 |
| Phone | (352) 735-7105 | Business hours |
| City of Mount Dora, Utilities Dept., P.O. Box 176, Mount Dora, FL 32756 | Allow 5-7 days | |
| In Person | 510 N Baker St., Mount Dora, FL 32757 | Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm |
Pay By Automatic Bank Draft
Paid automatically on due date each month. Fill out the back of the bill stub form and submit it with a voided check via email, fax, mail, night-drop box (located behind City Hall), or in-person.
Mail a check or money order including bill stub, service address OR account number to:
City of Mount Dora 510 N Baker St Mount Dora, FL 32726
**American Express is NOT accepted**
Version OptionsHow to Pay Your BillHeadline to access our new payment portal
To make a one-time payment or to register an account you will need your account number and customer name.
Register your new City of Mount Dora Invoice Cloud account. Here are instructions to register without paying, register while paying or register after paying.
Registering an account will allow you to:
- Save your debit/credit card or bank information for future months
- Sign up for automatically recurring payments – View Instructions
- Set up pay by text – View Instructions
- Schedule a payment for a future date
Call 844-414-4557 to pay with the automated system using your account number.
Utility Bill Pay Options
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