Utility Customer Service – Billing & Payments

Manage Utility Account

Utility Customer Service provides account services for City of Columbia utility customers. Our services include opening, transfer and closing of utility accounts, billing and collection services.

The department serves more than 60,000 residential and commercial customers of the Sewer, Solid Waste, Stormwater and Water & Light utilities.

To contact Utility Customer Service, please call 573.874.7380opens phone dialer or email UCS@CoMo.gov.

Payment options

Online

Customers can pay their bill directly through our payment website, pay.como.gov or through their MyUtilityBill account.

Pay by phone — 24/7 automated phone system

Make one-time payment with your Visa, MasterCard, Discover or American Express.

573.874.7694opens phone dialer

  • Must have your City of Columbia Utility customer and account number from your utility bill
  • Enter your customer number, followed by the pound (#) key – e.g. 00123456#
  • Enter your account number followed by the pound (#) key – e.g. 0067890#
  • It will then ask you to verify the information entered is correct. If correct continue to follow the prompts to complete your payment

Pay by Mail — *Please do not mail cash payments*

Standard

City of Columbia
ATTN: Finance Department
P.O. Box 1676
Columbia, MO 65205

Overnight/Express Mail

City of Columbia
ATTN: Treasury Management
701 E. Broadway
Columbia, MO 65201

Pay in Person

Walk In

City Hall is located at 701 E Broadway, and the front entrance is at the corner of 8th & Broadway. Our lobby is open from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday – Friday. Customers may drop off their payment at City Hall, or see a Cashier for payment and receipt. Customers need to visit the front desk to be checked in and will be routed to the first available cashier. We accept personal/business checks, money orders, cashiers checks, cash, and all card types in our lobby. 

Drive-Thru

The Drive-Thru/Drive-up windows are open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday – Friday and are located on the North side of City Hall, 701 E. Broadway. Turn right (south) on 8th street from Walnut, and turn right (west) down the alley behind City Hall. For safety purposes, please do not use the drive-thru without a vehicle. We accept check, money order, cashiers checks, cash, and all card types in our drive-thru.

Please have your bill, or your account number available. To ensure fast service, we have a limit of 3 payments per customer transaction. 

Drop Off

Secured drop off is available using the orange drop off collection box in the Utility Cashiers drive-thru alley (directions listed above). 

City drop boxes may be used to make payments on utility bills, parking violations, home energy loans and any other City of Columbia invoices. Please be sure to notate what account your payment is for to ensure it is processed appropriately. 

Other Community Partner Locations

Payments may also be made at the Customer Service Center inside: 

  • Gerbes Grocery stores (all locations)
  • Schnucks grocery store on Forum Boulevard
  • Walmart (all Columbia locations and various stores Nationwide)

Please bring your utility bill so they can correctly identify it as a City of Columbia, Missouri bill; and provide them with our 9-digit biller zip code: 652051676.

Please allow up to 3 business days for payments made in this method to post to your utility account and keep your receipt for your transaction. Convenience Fees may be assessed by the store, and are location specific; not charged by the City

AutoPay

The City of Columbia Finance Department offers automatic bank drafting/AutoPay through PayCoMo.

Set up your AutoPay as a registered user on your PayCoMo profile after linking your utility account. In-person enrollment assistance is available with the City Hall Cashiers. You may also find the PayCoMo link by clicking “Manage Auto Pay” on your MyUtilityBill View/Pay Bill page

Utility AutoPay is available to be debited from a checking or savings account; or on your debit or credit card. AutoPay is the easiest and most secure way to ensure your bills are paid on time and to the right account.

Once set up, your amount due will be drawn from your account the day before your utility bill is due (or next business day for weekends/holidays) and once enrolled, your next utility bill will indicate “Automatic Bank Draft” versus “Total Amount Due.” Additionally, you are able to opt-in for email notifications about upcoming payments. 

Please allow up to 3 days for any stop or change requests to your AutoPay. Making additional payments may not prevent a payment from occurring if the payment was not made in enough time prior to the AutoPay file being sent to the bank. Full Terms and Conditions of enrollment are available, and displayed during enrollment. 

Budget billing program

Budget billing

Budget Billing is available to customers who wish to pay the same amount each month and not be surprised by higher summer or winter bills. Your Budget Billing plan amount is based off of the average of your last 12 months of billing. In March of each year we will settle up all budget billing plans and your new plan amount is set at that time. The plan amount will increase or decrease, depending upon your usage over the past year. Any accumulated balance whether credit or debit will be rolled over into the new Budget Billing year’s amount at the time of settle up.

To be eligible for Budget Billing you must:

  • Have twelve (12) months of continuous service at your current location with no disconnections, returned payments or have no more than three (3) late payments
  • Have a metered service with the City of Columbia Utilities
  • Agree to pay the full budget amount each and every month by the due date on the bill
  • Agree that any payment less than the budget amount will lead to late penalties and the account could be subject to disconnection
  • Agree that if shut-off for non-payment, the account will be removed from the Budget Billing program
  • Agree that after three (3) delinquent payments, the account could be removed from the Budget Billing program
  • Agree that Budget Billing Accounts are ineligible for any payment arrangements
  • Agree that March is the settle up month. The new Budget Billing year’s amount will be set at the time of settle up
  • Agree that any accumulated balance whether credit or debit will be rolled over into the new Budget Billing year’s amount at the time of settle up
  •  Account must be at a zero balance
  • If removed from the program for any reason, customers are not be eligible to reapply for twelve (12) consecutive months of service at their current location.

If you feel that you would qualify and Budget Billing is right for you, please make sure your account is at a zero balance, then click the link below to fill out an application. You will be notified by your preferred method of contact of the status of your application prior to your next month’s bill. Please feel free to contact the Utility Customer Service office with any questions at 573.874.7380opens phone dialer or by email at UCS@CoMo.gov

Activate or change accounts

Residential customers

Beginning service for new customers

  • Submit beginning service request online or come to our office at 701 E. Broadway
  • Requests should be submitted at least ONE business day in advance. All Same day service requests will incur a same-day service fee.
  • Deposits and service fees are listed below and can be paid at the time of requesting the service or added to first bill.

Deposits and fees

  • $75 Electric
  • $25 Water
  • $45 Sewer
  • $20 Solid Waste Collection
  • $6 Service fee to set up a new account 
  • $15 fee for SAME day connection

Customers who have been shut-off for nonpayment twice in the last twelve (12) months will be billed for an additional deposit fee.

Credit risk customers will be required to pay a double deposit upfront to start services.

Transferring service from one account to another

  • Submit a transfer request online, contact a Customer Service Representative at 573.874.7380opens phone dialer or come to our office at 701 E. Broadway
  • Customers should contact UCS at least ONE day in advance of needing the utilities transferred
  • The deposits paid on the old account will be transferred over to the new account
  • A $15 Same Day Service Charge can be paid to get the new account’s utilities turned on the same day as the request is made. However, the stop request for the old account will be processed for the next business day.

Stopping services

  • Submit a disconnect request online, contact a Customer Service Representative at 573.874.7380opens phone dialer or come to our office at 701 E. Broadway
  • Customers will need to supply a forwarding address.
  • Customers must contact us at least ONE day in advance of needing the utilities terminated. Same-day requests will be moved to the next business day.
  • Deposits will be applied to the final bill. Any amount left over will be sent to the customer.

For natural gas – please contact:

Ameren U.E.
1.800.552.7583opens phone dialer
TDD/TTY for Hearing Impaired 1.800.992.6030opens phone dialer
Ameren U.E. no longer maintains a local Columbia office.

Commercial accounts

Commercial service requests

Application for Commercial Utility Serviceopens PDF file can be downloaded and completed before coming in. All Commercial customers will need the following documents when applying for utility service:

  • City of Columbia business license number or proof of application (if applicable)
  • Missouri State sales tax number or proof of application (if applicable)
  • Copy of W9 or IRS confirmation of designated numbers required to verify Federal ID (EIN) Number
  • State or Federal issued photo ID of person setting up services
  • Prepared to pay deposit

Commercial Account Updates

Please complete the Commercial Account Update Formopens PDF file and return it to us to update your account information.

Deposits and Fees 

  • Deposit will be equal to twice the average monthly bill of a similar business
  • $6 Service fee to set up a new account
  • $15 if customer wants utilities connected the SAME day.

Acceptable Forms of Deposits For Commercial Accounts

  • Cash
  • CD (Certificate of Deposit) or Assignment of Savings at a local Bank

Assistance programs

Landlord reversion

What is landlord reversion?

The City of Columbia offers a program for landlords which allows the utilities to be turned on in the landlord’s name after a tenant leaves without the landlord having to contact the City each time.

How much is the deposit?

A residential landlord requesting services for a rental unit must provide proof of a valid certificate of compliance from the community development department for each property. The landlord shall make a standard security deposit for each rental unit for which the landlord has utility services with the city at the rates noted below:

  • Electrical service …..$75.00
  • Water service …..25.00
  • Sewer service …..45.00
  • Refuse service …..20.00

The landlord may apply to participate in the Landlord Reversion Program (LLRP) as follows:

Residential landlord participation in the Landlord Reversion Program (LLRP) requires completion of the LLRP application and written acknowledgment of the terms of the agreement as defined by the finance director. The maximum amount of cash security deposits a residential landlord shall be required to make, regardless as to the number of rental units, is one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500.00). At the discretion of the finance director, the customer may request the deposit be waived upon the customer establishing three (3) years (thirty-six (36) consecutive months) of good credit and timely payments with the City of Columbia. The finance director will maintain a written policy that defines “good credit.”

How do I discontinue participation in this program?

Landlord reversion may be discontinued upon written notification from the landlord.

What are the requirements for participation in this program?

The landlord must agree to the following:

  • The landlord shall promptly pay for all services provided at rates established by the Ordinances of the City of Columbia at the time the services are provided. The landlord also understands that an account will revert into their name when the account is officially taken out of the tenant’s name by the tenant or the Finance Department and will remain in the landlord’s name until services are connected by a tenant or disconnected at the request of the landlord.
  • The landlord also understands that an account will not revert into their name if services are disconnected for non-payment until either documentation is received stating customer vacated the premises or 30 days pass.
  • Any billing statement shall be deemed a final and accurate account stated as provided by Ordinance, or otherwise, upon the mailing of the next following billing statement until the landlord during the intervening period notifies the Utility Customer Services division of the Finance Department for errors or irregularities
  • The landlord shall protect City property on the premises served by the account from unnecessary damage, and to allow access to such property by duly authorized personnel during all reasonable hours
  • The landlord shall abide by and comply with the Revised Ordinance of Columbia, and any amendments, that govern the relationship between the City of Columbia and its’ utility customer
  • The Finance Department reserves the right to revoke landlord reversion at any time
  • The landlord may add or remove accounts from landlord reversion only be written request to the Finance Department
  • The landlord is responsible for notifying the Finance Department of any changes in property ownership
  • Collection fees will be assessed to delinquent bills in landlords name.

How do I participate in the landlord reversion program?

To participate in the landlord reversion program, please complete the Landlord Reversion Application 2023opens PDF file and submit it by emailing UCS@CoMo.gov or by mailing it to  City of Columbia, Utility Customer Service, PO Box 6015, Columbia, MO, 65205

How do I update my landlord reversion program account information?

To update the information we have on file, please complete the Landlord Reversion Application Update 2023opens PDF file  and submit it by emailing UCS@CoMo.gov or by mailing it to  City of Columbia, Utility Customer Service, PO Box 6015, Columbia, MO, 65205

Rental unit usage history

Utility payments can significantly add to your monthly budget. Before signing a lease, consider the utility services and average usage at the prospective location.  Keep in mind that everyone uses different amounts of electricity so your usage could vary.  In addition to charges for electricity and water, your City of Columbia bill could include fees for sewer, trash and stormwater. Be sure to check with the property owner. For average utility consumption for a location, please contact Utility Customer Service at 573.874.7380opens phone dialer.

Review our tips on how to be energy efficient once you move in.

If you have natural gas heat, your Ameren Missouri bills will be higher in the winter while your City of Columbia bills will be higher in the summer due to air conditioning.  Contact Ameren Missouri for historical natural gas consumption data. Ameren Missouri: natural gas service – 1.800.552.7583opens phone dialer

Disclaimer:

The City of Columbia does not give personal account information to individuals not listed on the utility account. An average amount may be provided to requesters. Rental information available through the rental usage map may not be up to date. 

Other utility information

Commonly asked questions

When are past due notices sent out?

If you have not paid within 23 days from the billing date, a past due notice will be mailed to you. You then have 5 business days to pay before you are subject to be disconnected. 

What should I do if I think my utility bill is too high?

Contact a Utility Customer Service Representative at   If the water usage is significantly higher than average, the Customer Service Representative will send a leak check request to the Water Utility. If a leak has occurred, the customer can request the bill be adjusted. Customer account will be credited for one half the amount over your average usage. If electricity usage is in question, the meter will be re-read. You will then be referred to the Energy Audit Dept.

What are the fees for disconnection?

If a delinquent account is on the shut-off list, the following charges apply: Residential: $30 non-payment fee, applies when a worker is dispatched to disconnect the customer’s water or electric service for nonpayment, whether it was physically disconnected or not.    $60 After Hours Reconnect fee when water or electric service is reconnected outside of normal business hours of the Water & Light Utility. All other customers: $100 non-payment fee, applies when a worker is dispatched to disconnect the customer’s water or electric service for nonpayment, whether it was physically disconnected or not.   $100.00 After Hours Reconnect fee when water or electric service is reconnected outside of normal business hours of the Water & Light Utility.

How many days do I have to pay my utility bill?

Your utility bill is due 20 days from the billing date. If your bill is not paid within this 20 day grace period, your account will be charged 3% of the delinquent balance. 

How do I add a co-applicant or an authorized user to my account?

To add a co-applicant or an authorized user to your account you will need to fill out the Authorized User Formopens PDF file .  Once the form has been completed, please return via email to  opens in a new window[email protected]create new email.  If this is for a co-applicant please remember to attach a copy of your State or Federal issued photo ID.

Can I get my water and electricity turned on during the weekend?

No, new service connections are not performed after hours or weekends. Please request services before 3:00 p.m. to have them turned on the next business day during business hours or same day for a fee.