Living in the City of Niles comes with many conveniences like water, sewer, electricity, and trash services But receiving the monthly or quarterly utility bill can be frustrating if you don’t know how to pay it easily. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the various ways to pay your City of Niles utility bill
Online Bill Pay
The fastest and most convenient option for paying your Niles utilities is through the online customer portal. You can register for an account at https://thecityofniles.epayub.com/ which links your utility account.
Once registered, you can log in anytime to view your balance, see past bills, set up autopay, and make one-time payments. The portal accepts credit cards, debit cards, digital wallets like Apple Pay, and e-checks linked to your bank account. Payments post instantly when paid online.
Pay By Phone
To pay your Niles utility bill over the phone call 1-833-735-2049. This automated phone payment system is available 24/7 and walks you through the steps to pay by credit/debit card using your account information.
Speaking with a customer service agent directly is also an option by calling 269-683-4700 during regular business hours. Agents can take payments or answer questions about your account.
Pay By Mail
If you prefer to mail in a payment, you can send a check or money order payable to City of Niles to:
City of Niles Utilities
333 N 2nd St
Niles, MI 49120
Write your account number clearly on the payment to ensure proper processing. Allow 7-10 business days for mailed payments to post to your account.
Pay In-Person
The City of Niles Utilities building has a lobby and two drive-thru lanes where you can pay your bill in-person. The office is open Monday-Thursday 7:30am-5:30pm and Friday 7:30am-11:30am.
In-person payments can be made by cash, check, money order, or credit/debit card. You’ll need to provide your account number. Paying at the office gives you the chance to ask questions about your bill face-to-face.
Payment Plan Options
If you are struggling to pay your balance in full, the City of Niles offers flexible payment plans. Payment plans allow you to pay down your outstanding balance in smaller installments over time without penalty.
Contact the utilities office to discuss your situation and set up a monthly payment plan suited for your budget and needs. This helps you avoid service disruption while incrementally paying what you owe.
Enroll in AutoPay
Sign up for automatic payments through the online portal to simplify paying your bill. With autopay, your City of Niles utility bill is paid automatically each month on the due date using your default payment method.
Autopay gives peace of mind knowing your bill is handled on time without remembering. It’s the easiest way to avoid late fees and free up your schedule.
Avoid Late Fees with Reminders
Along with autopay, the City of Niles offers payment reminders by email and text message. Reminders are sent when your bill is ready and as the due date nears if unpaid.
Activating reminders helps you pay on time and avoid unnecessary late charges. Log into the customer portal to turn on text or email alerts.
Ask for an Extension
If your payment will be delayed, call the City of Niles utilities office before the due date. You may be able to get a 7, 15, or 30-day extension pushed back your due date without a penalty.
This gives you a short grace period if money is tight in a particular month. Be proactive in requesting an extension to prevent service interruption.
Apply for Financial Assistance
The City of Niles partners with state and local programs to offer financial help to residential customers facing utility expenses they can’t afford.
Based on factors like income, household size, and hardship, you may qualify for grants, discounts, or waived fees. Contact the utilities office to learn about assistance options you may be eligible for.
Use FSA Funds
If you have a flexible spending account (FSA) through work, you can use pre-tax dollars from your FSA to pay eligible healthcare costs like insurance premiums and medical bills.
In many cases, FSA funds can also be applied to City of Niles utilities like water, sewer, and trash that are considered qualified medical expenses by the IRS. Check your plan details and pay City bills using your FSA debit card.
Update Your Contact Info
To avoid missed notices about your City of Niles utilities, double check that your contact information and mailing address are up-to-date. Notify the utilities office right away if you move or change phone numbers.
Accurate contact info ensures you receive billing statements, shut off warnings, and other notices to prevent disruption. Keeping your details current takes a minute but makes a big difference.
Understand Billing Cycles
Utility services like water, electric, and sewer are billed on different cycles in the City of Niles. Water bills are sent monthly while sewer and electric bills are sent quarterly. Trash is billed twice a year.
Knowing the various billing cycles helps you anticipate when payment for each utility will be due. Mark your calendar with the different billing schedules to stay on top of due dates.
Compare Rate Plans
Some City of Niles utilities like electric offer different rate plans you can select from, like fixed rate and variable rate pricing. Comparing available plans to match your usage can potentially lower your costs.
Contact the utilities office to learn about rate options for your home or business. They can explain the plans to help identify the most optimal and cost effective choice.
Review Changes Promptly
Give every City of Niles utility bill a quick review when you receive it to catch any unusual spikes or drops in usage. Reading through the bill can identify changes in rates or new fees before they become major issues down the road.
Dispute any incorrect or suspicious charges right away to get them corrected in the next billing cycle. Don’t delay addressing discrepancies.
Pay on Multiple Accounts
If you have more than one utility account with the City of Niles, you can view and pay all accounts through the unified online portal or mobile app. This allows you to manage multiple addresses conveniently in one place.
Link household or business accounts to streamline your bill payment process instead of paying each one separately.
Sign up for Outage Alerts
The City of Niles offers an outage alert system by text and email to notify residents about utility service interruptions. Subscribing to alerts gives you real-time updates if water, electric, or sewer service is disrupted in your neighborhood.
Knowing about issues promptly helps you plan accordingly. Log into your online account to opt into receiving outage notifications as they happen.
Community Development (Permits/Business License & Registration/Rental Licensing)
For Community Development online payments and services, click on the following link: CSS Portal
When you reach the Customer Service Portal (CSS) for Community Development, you will first need to click on “Citizen Self Service” and apply for a new account. View How-To Guides below.
- CSS- How to register (pdf ) (video)
- CSS- How to renew license (pdf)
- CSS- User guide (pdf)
- CSS- Navigating the dashboard (video)
For “adjudication” tickets (violations and citations issued by the Village of Niles), click on the following link: Village of Niles Citation Payments Website
Contact the Police Department if you are in need of an extension due to An Emergency Related to COVID-19 Outbreak.
Note: Not all types of violations can be paid online.
Vehicle Window Sticker Renewal
The online portal is open for May 1 – June 30.
Pre-printed applications will be mailed to residents. Most renewals, spelling corrections and vehicle information changes can be completed on the portal. Renewals involving a price change cannot be made online.
If your pre-printed application does not show your birth date or if you are receiving the senior discount for the first time, you must show a valid drivers license, in person or send a copy via mail, to receive the senior rate. Call (847) 588-8000 for assistance.
For vehicle license purchase or renewal, click here: Vehicle/Pet License Online Purchase Website.
To learn more, visit the Finance Departments vehicle licensing information page.
For utility billing online payments and services, click on the following link: Utility Billing Portal
The Finance Department is unable to process credit card payments over $2,000 at this time. The Village hopes to resolve this in the coming months.
ACTION REQUIRED – Due to a Village software update on March 12, 2022, residents who use the online self-service portal will need to re-register their account. If you use the same e-mail address as your previous account, your account will retain its data. View “How to Re-Register Your Self-Service Account” and other How-To Guides below.