The Fort Myers Beach Utilities Department has been receiving a lot of calls and emails from residents getting extremely high water bills. Some residents whose home no longer exists are still receiving bills. Here’s what the town is saying about this…
The town wants residents to know that if a property’s water is not being used at this time, water and sewer base fees can be waived. To prevent further billing of these fees, property owners should email the Utilities Department at utilities@fmbgov.com with their name and service address.
Keep in mind, all residents are required to pay stormwater fees.
If property owners pay their water bill at www.eonlinebill.com/ftmyers with a credit card, there is a 3.5 percent credit card processing fee added. This fee was approved by Town Council in the Fiscal Year 2023 Budget which began on October 1, 2022.
The credit card fee can be avoided if bills are paid by one of the following methods:
Change payment method in the online account to withdraw the payment directly from a bank account; Mail a check to the Town at 2525 Estero Boulevard, Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931; Deliver check to the Town Hall temporary complex at 2545 Estero Boulevard and leave it in the receptionist’s area in the designated drop box. The receptionist’s area is in a modular building at the Town Hall complex. Hours are Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
If you still have questions about your water bill send them to utilities@fmbgov.com.
I have auto pay through my credit Union. My home is uninhabitable and no water has been used. I was told, via email, that the account would be closed. A water bill was withdrawn in January. I have emailed the department and received a standard type response saying they were really busy.
FPL removed my meter on San Carlos Island after Hurricane and we may not have new meters till June. They sent me a bill for $98 and said that if I keep the account open I have to pay a minimum or close the account I have had for 25 years and open new one when they install new meter. Not everyone was told the same thing?
I have e-mailed about water bill 5 times. I get a response by e-mail saying they will call me the next day, but they never call. I have had this bill on autopay for many years, now my bill ( which didn’t arrive until 3 weeks ago) says I am past due. The water department does not answer the phone and doesn’t follow through on their e – mails. Maybe you can get them to call me.
LCU servicing Fort Myers Beach residents who are not on Fort Myers Beach Estero Island face similar issues.
I have automatic credit card billing and have for years! However, the Town Council’s approval of the credit card processing fee does not authorize the Town to provide credit card on file (WITH THE TOWN ONLY) to a 3rd party. A separate charge was processed against my card and it was not authorized by me. It would be fine if they included the fee on the water bill and then the entire bill was charged as before. There has been ZERO communication on this processing fee from the Town and no comment added to the water bill. I am still awaiting response from the acting Utilities director. And I calculated the fee to be 3%.