Village of Clearwater's electronic bill payment system is live

The Village of Clearwater will offer a new online option for residents wanting to pay their bills.

An online payport went live the first full week of April, according to Village Clerk Angie Hupp. A link appears on the village's website, clearwaterne.com, directing users to a pay portal through the Nebraska.gov system.

Clearwater Economic Development Director Lauren Sheridan-Simonsen initially presented the idea to village leaders during the pandemic.

"We discovered it was difficult for some people to get their utility bills paid on time when they became quarantined," Hupp said.

Sheridan-Simonsen reviewed plans, reached out to PayPort, with the state of Nebraska and made recommendations to village leadership.

After Hupp assumed the village clerk position, she tackled the project.

Sheridan-Simonsen said Hupp is working "to increase transparency and get information on the website for citizens to assess on their schedules."

In addition to utility bill payments, fees for dog licenses and building permits will also be accepted through the portal.

Hupp said, "Both require filled-out forms, which can also be found on the village website."

Customers will pay a $1.75 flat fee for e-checks. Transactions made online, on the phone or in the office, via credit or debit card, will result in a 2.49% fee.

Items can be bundled for payment at the same time so only one fee is applied.

Hupp said cash and checks will still be accepted at the office and the drop box at Cornerstone Bank.

"There's still the auto payment option for those who want to set it and forget it," she said.

Village residents will receive a primer for the online payment system when April water bills are mailed.

Residents will be asked to return the flipside of the form, in order to update contact information, including telephone numbers, when needed.

Additionally, Sheridan-Simonsen and Hupp plan to add more content to the village website in the upcomiing months, so customers find useful information during visits.

"This is especially helpful since I am only in the office part time and there are those work work out of town or can't get away during the day," Hupp said.

Items planned to be added include meeting minutes and village zoning regulations.