Show All Answers

1. Can I pay my utility bill with a credit card?

Yes, you may pay with a credit card or electronic check at the Smart Pay Works website.  A convenience fee applies to use this service.

2. Although I have signed up for the bank draft option of bill payment, I still receive a monthly bill. Why is that?

The bill you receive is for your records showing reading dates, meter readings, usage and charges. As a bank draft customer, your bill also includes a statement that says: Direct Payment-Do Not Pay

3. I can’t pay my entire bill this month. Will you accept a partial payment?

Please contact the Utility Office at 419-300-3142 to discuss a payment plan to resolve your balance.

4. Can I get assistance in paying my utility charges?

Agencies available to assist are:

• West Ohio Community Action Partnership (WOCAP) 419-516-0063
• The Resource and Opportunity Center, Inc. (The ROC) 419-300-5277
• Agape Ministries, Inc. 419-394-8700
• Job and Family Services - Auglaize County 567-242-2700

5. Who do I call to have a final meter reading done?

Call the Utility Office at 419-300-3142 to schedule the final metering.

6. Who do I call to report a problem with my electric service or an outage?

Call the Electric Department at 419-394-2476 or Utility Office at 419-300-3142.  On weekends, or after 4:00 pm on weekdays, call the Police Department at 419-394-2325.

7. Who do I notify when digging is to be done in my yard?

Call OUPS for all service lines, as well as gas and cable, at 811 OUPS or 1-800-362-2764. Please call two working days before you dig.

8. Who do I call to report a street light that is not working?

Call the Electric Department at 419-394-2476 or report it by completing a City Service Request form online. 

9. I think I may have a faulty electric meter. Who do I call to have it checked?

Call the Electric Department at 419-394-2476.

10. Do you read our meters every month?

Meter reading is scheduled every month. If for some reason we are unable to read your meter, we will send a Meter Reader back at a later date or leave a door card for you to call us to schedule a time.

11. What should I do during a power outage?

After contacting the Utility Office at 419-300-3142 to report the outage, you should unplug all non-essential appliances. Also, keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed. Continually opening and closing these doors will result in faster loss of cold air. If you think you may have heard something that may have caused the outage, please report the noise to the Utility Office.  On weekends, or after 4:00 pm on weekdays, call the Police Department at 419-394-2325. 

12. My usage is high, can the meter be running fast?

Meters (water or electric) rarely run fast, and if they do, the percentage of accuracy is usually insignificant. If your billed usage is high, it could be the result of a number of possibilities that together we can investigate such as:

• Rechecking the reading that was used for billing to verify accuracy;
• Reviewing your account history - looking at usage for the same billing period last year;
• Looking at conditions that may have changed in your household, such as more people living at the residence, etc.;
• Checking to see if there are malfunctioning appliances that draw supply, for example, lights, fans, or toilets running continuously;
• Verifying that water is not dripping from faucets, shower heads, or outside spigots and hoses.

13. I have trees on my property near power lines that I want trimmed or removed. Who should I contact?

Call the Electric Department at 419-394-2476.

14. My utility charges seem high this month. Can you explain why?

Many variables can affect your charges for utility services. Remember, charges are calculated based on usage as metered and read monthly. Electric usage generally fluctuates with changes in outdoor temperatures, especially when your house or building is heated or cooled electrically. Water usage also tends to increase during spring and summer seasons with the use of water for gardening, showers and baths, car washing and recreation. Since water consumption is used to determine sewer usage, sewer charges increase along with water charges. Although charges may fluctuate slightly depending on the number of days between readings, many variances in usage patterns can be attributed to malfunctioning appliances that continuously draw power or water.

Electric, water and sewer bills are based on consumption, and the number of days in the service period will cause your bill to vary from month to month. Refuse is billed each month at a flat rate.

Contact Customer Service at 419-300-3142, if you believe your billed usage for electric or water is incorrect.

15. Why are sewer charges higher than water charges?

Each service, water and sewer, is a different utility with specific and independent costs of operation. Federal and state environmental regulations mandate specific treatment processes, the cost of which is recovered through utility rates.

16. Can I get on a budget to pay my utility charges?

Yes, the City of St. Marys offers a Level Bill Payment Plan option to residential homeowners. Level Bill Payment Plan applications are accepted each year in August. A twelve month billing history is required with the City at the same address as on the application and your account must have a zero balance due. With the Level Bill Payment Plan, you make a set budgeted payment each month that is approximately equal to the average monthly utility charge during the prior 12-month period. Although the amount billed each month is the same, the actual charges are calculated monthly and the difference between the amount paid and the amount used is held as a deferred balance. Once annually, a settle-up process occurs and budget customers are required to pay actual and any deferred balances remaining from the current budget year. Level Bill Payment accounts are reviewed annually to ensure that the budget amount remains close to the current monthly average and are adjusted as necessary.

17. When is my utility payment due?

Utility payments are due the 10th of each month. A 5% penalty is applied for payments received after the 10th. If payment is not received by the 25th of each month, you are subject to disconnection of services.

18. Where can I pay my bill?

The following bill paying options are offered by the City of St. Marys:

• Mail your payment to: City of St. Marys, 106 E Spring Street, St. Marys, OH 45885
• Pay in person at the Utility Office at 106 E Spring Street. You may come inside or use the drive up window.
• A drop box is located inside the main entrance at 106 E Spring Street and in the parking lot behind the Utility Office located off of East High Street.
• Direct Pay which pays your bill automatically on the 5th of each month.

Online bill pay programs offered by your bank or go to the Smart Pay Works website. A convenience fee applies when you use this service.