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Public Works > Utility Billing

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1. Why is my sewer charge more than my water bill?

The cost to collect and treat our waste water is considerably higher than the cost to pump our water from the wells and treat (chlorinate) it. Check Current Rates.

2. Where can I pay my utility bill?

You can pay at any of the following locations:

a. Miami Public Utilities office at 129 Fifth Ave. N.W.
b. Drop off at our night deposit box at 129 Fifth Ave. N.W.
c. Through the mail
d. By automatic bank draft
e. Online at www.miamiokla.net
f. By phone (877)496-0511
This list is also provided on your utility bill.

3. What are the utility office hours?

Drive Thru hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays.
Office Hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. , Monday through Friday, except holidays

4. Why is my water bill so high?

The most frequent problem is a toilet stool leak. We have free dye tablets available in the utility office that can help detect a leak in the toilet. Many times this can be fixed with a $3 part available at any local hardware store. We can install water meters used specifically for summer activities for a small installation fee. No sewer charge is assessed on this meter. Please contact the Utility Office if interested.

5. Why is my electric bill so high?

Tips to help keep costs down:

a. When using your air conditioner, keep the temperature fairly stable all day. Do not turn off during the day and start in the evening.
b. Change air conditioner filter monthly.
c. Turn off lights when not in use.
d. Use of electric heaters in the winter will cause consumption to increase.

6. How does the City of Miami Public Utility Department's rates compare with other cities?

Rate Survey Rate Survey Results

7. Can I change the due date of my utility bill?

The City of Miami is divided into four sections. This is to provide a route for the meter readers to read each meter each month. The bills are then prepared once a month for each section of town.

8. How can I get faster service at the utility window?

Be prepared by having your bill and check made out before you get to the window. If you do not need a receipt, we have a second drop box lane, adjacent to the window in which to leave your payment. We check this box at 8:00 a.m. every business day.

9. Why is my deposit so high?

The utility billings office now has standard deposits, starting at $150, for residential customers to our city. Our office will also accept letters of credit from previous utility services for residential customers.

10. Can I pay my deposit in installments?

No. The full deposit must be paid before service will be authorized and activated.

11. When I disconnected my service, I paid my bill in full. Why do I have a final bill?

The bill you paid in full at the time of your disconnect order was actually for the previous month's service. We go out and get a final reading on your disconnect date, and your final bill is for the last month you lived there.

12. What method of payment can we use to pay our utility bills?

Check, cash, money order, cashier's check, or by automatic bank draft. This service is provided free of charge. Sign up forms for this service are available at the utility office or online. Automatic Bank Draft Form

13. What are the benefits of being on automatic bank draft?

It saves you time by not having to write out a monthly payment. It also saves postage (if you pay by mail) and gas (if you pay in person), and ensures that your account is paid on time.

14. Who can sign up for automatic bank draft?

Residential and commercial customers who have a current utility account and a checking or savings account can sign up.

15. How much is the fee to be on automatic bank draft?

This service is free of charge to our customers. However, check with your financial institution to see if they charge any related fees.

16. When will my automatic bank draft start?

Your utility account balance must be current, with no outstanding balance due. Then, at the next billing cycle, you should be enrolled in automatic bank draft unless your new bill was printed during the enrollment process.

17. Will I continue to receive a bill?

Yes. You will receive a bill each month. Once you are enrolled with automatic bank draft, you will notice a message on the bill that states: "Draft Customer Do Not Pay."

18. How will I know when the money will be taken out of my account?

Each month, the exact draft date will be noted on the bill you will continue to receive in the mail. If this falls on a weekend or holiday, it will be processed on the next business day.

19. Can I select the date to have my payment taken out of my account?

Dates cannot be selected due to the billing cycle process.

20. What if I don't have money in my account on the draft date?

If the draft is dishonored or returned, a $25 fee will be added to your utility account. Once the utility office has been notified, you will have a 24-hour notice to pay your bill and the $25 fee to avoid disconnection of your utilities.

21. Can I specify how much you can draft from my account?

No. At this time, the entire utility bill is drafted for payment.

22. What if I change financial institutions (bank, savings & loan, credit union)?

Contact us immediately at (918)542-6685 to let us know of the change. Then, you may submit the new information by mail or in person. We will need for you to submit a voided check from your new account in order for us to verify information through the bank.

23. What if I move to another address in Miami?

No problem, automatic bank draft can be transferred to another account. You will need to call (918)542-6685 to advise us that you want the draft forwarded to the new address. Your final bill for the old address, will not be drafted.

24. The utility account is not in my name. Can I still pay from my bank account?

Yes. When you complete the Automatic Bank Draft Application Form, include the account's service address and your voided check and bank account information.

25. What if I have more than one utility account?

We can draft for more than one utility account. Just complete one application form, list all the utility accounts on a separate sheet and return both with a voided check. Automatic Bank Draft Form

26. What if after I sign up, I decide I don't want to automatic bank draft my account any longer?

If you decide you no longer wish us to draft your account, contact us immediately at (918)542-6685. Then, at the next billing cycle, you should NOT be enrolled in automatic bank draft unless your new bill was printed during the discontinue process.

27. How do I enroll?

You may come by our office Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 129 5th NW to pick up an application or contact us at (918)542-6685 to have an application mailed or faxed to you. When you complete the Automatic Bank Draft Application Form, include your utility account number and your voided check with bank account information. Then, at the next billing cycle, you should be enrolled in automatic bank draft unless your new bill was printed during the enrollment process.

28. What if I have any other questions?

Our customer service representatives will be glad to help you with any further questions about this or any other program or service offered by the City of Miami. You may come by our office Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or contact us at (918)542-6685.

29. What happens if my service gets disconnected for non-payment of the bill?

You must pay your full bill plus a $55 service charge to be reconnected during regular business hours. After hours reconnection service charges are higher due to having to pay the additional expense of calling-in city personnel to complete the work. Also, depending upon account information, an additional security deposit, starting at $50, may be required.

30. How much notice is needed in order to have utility services connected?

We can issue an order the same day and complete the activation if it is placed by 4:00 p.m. Monday - Friday.

31. How much does it cost to put service in?

A $55 service charge plus deposit will be required. Please note that someone must be home during regular office hours (8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.) to set the water service. If you need to schedule turning your service on after 5:00 p.m. it will be an additional $65 after 5:00 p.m..

32. What if I do not agree with my water or electric meter reading shown on my bill?

The City's new policy when a customer dispute of water or electric meter readings is as follows:
• A customer may dispute a water or electric meter reading by asking to have his meter reread. The following options are:
• $55.00 charge if it is correct.
• No charge if it is incorrect, or if there is a leak.
• A customer can reread his own meter, and we will do an adjustment to the billing if needed.
• During times of disaster, ex. Flood, Ice Storm, Tornado the meters will be estimated. The following options are:
• $55.00 charge to reread it.
• A customer can reread his own meter, and we will do an adjustment to the billing if needed.
• Pay the existing bill, wait for the next month's reading, and the billing clerk will adjust the billing if needed at that time.

33. What if I cannot pay my bill?

Please contact the utility office for payment arrangements before the bill is due. Waiting until after the due date could result in disconnection of services.

34. How do I get a security light?

You must come in and sign a contract to keep the light for 1 year. The department issues a work order to install it. If you use an existing pole, it is a $12.50 a month starting July 1, 2010. If you need a pole, it is a $112.50 one-time charge and the light is $15.00 a month and the contract is for 3 years. Flood lighting is available for commercial usage.

35. How much electricity is a kilowatt hour?

It’s the amount that ten 100-watt light bulbs would use in an hour or one 100-watt bulb would use in 10 hours.

36. Is the days between my meter readings always the same?

Your meters are read once a month. The normal billing period is 28-35 days. Because of weekends, holidays, length of the month or weather conditions, the total days between meter readings may vary. This also makes it possible for your monthly usage to increase or decrease from the previous billing period even though your average daily use remains the same.