A Comprehensive Guide to Paying Your Sarasota County Utility Bill

Having reliable utility services like water, sewer, and solid waste is essential for any Sarasota County resident. Paying your utility bill on time ensures ongoing access to these services while avoiding any disruptions. Sarasota County offers various quick and easy ways to pay your utility bill online, by phone by mail or in person.

This guide will walk through the different options to pay your Sarasota County utility bill and key account management tips. By understanding the payment methods available, you can choose the best approach for your needs and pay your bill seamlessly each month.

Pay Online

The fastest way to pay your Sarasota County utility bill is online through the county’s website. Online payments can be made 24/7 and avoid mailing delays or long phone wait times.

To pay your utility bill online:

1. Go to www.scgov.net

2. Click on “Pay” at the top and select “Utility Bills.”

3. Log into your account by entering your account number and PIN code.

4. Select whether to pay the total balance or a partial payment amount.

5. Enter your credit card or bank account information for payment.

6. Review your payment details and click “Submit Payment” to complete.

Online payments allow you to view billing history, set up autopay, and manage notifications. Payment confirmation emails are also sent instantly after an online payment.

Use the Mobile App

For on-the-go payments, download the Sarasota County Utility Billing app on your Apple or Android device. You can then securely log in and pay your utility bill in just seconds.

To use the mobile app:

1. Download the free Sarasota County Utility Billing app.

2. Tap “Pay Bill” and log into your account.

3. Select the account and amount to pay.

4. Enter credit card information and submit the payment.

The app makes bill payment easy anywhere, anytime. You’ll receive instant payment confirmation when using the mobile app.

Call the IVR System

To pay by phone, you can use Sarasota County’s automated interactive voice response (IVR) system at 941-861-6790. This system is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

To use the automated system:

1. Call 941-861-6790.

2. Select option 1 for the IVR system and follow the prompts.

3. Enter your 10-digit account number.

4. Choose your payment amount and submit payment details.

5. Note down the confirmation number at the end.

IVR phone payments are quick and convenient, allowing you to pay on your schedule around the clock.

Pay by Mail

If you prefer paying by check, you can mail your utility bill payment to:

Sarasota County Utilities
P.O. Box 31320
Tampa, FL 33631-3320

To pay by mail:

1. Make checks payable to Sarasota County Utilities.

2. Write your 10-digit account number clearly on the check memo line.

3. Mail at least 5 business days before your due date for on-time processing.

4. Include payment stub or write service address on check to credit properly.

While mailing takes more planning, it’s a simple option for paying by check or money order without fees. Remember to allow enough mailing time to avoid late penalties.

Pay in Person

You can pay your utility bill in person at the Sarasota County Administration Center:

Administration Center
1660 Ringling Blvd
Sarasota, FL 34236

The Administration Center is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM excluding holidays. When paying in person, you can pay by cash, check, credit/debit, or money order. Make sure to have your current utility bill or account number available.

Enroll in AutoPay

For effortless bill payment, enroll in AutoPay through Sarasota County Utilities online portal. This automatically debits your utility payment each month from your bank account or credit card around your due date.

To enroll:

1. Log into the online portal and click on “My Profile.”
2. Select “AutoPay Accounts” and click “Enroll Now.”
3. Choose your preferred payment method and enter details.
4. Pick the withdrawal date that works best each billing cycle.
5. Review and submit your enrollment request.

Once set up, AutoPay ensures your bill gets paid on time every month without any action needed on your part.

Understand Equal Payment Plan

Sarasota County offers an Equal Payment Plan to even out utility bill fluctuations. This averages your annual costs into consistent monthly payments for predictability.

To start the Equal Payment Plan:

1. Log into your online account and click “Payment Options.”
2. Select “Equal Payment Plan” and click “Enroll.”
3. Accept the terms and conditions.
4. Make initial equal payment amount by due date.

Your payment gets reassessed periodically based on actual consumption. The plan helps smooth seasonal spikes in utility bills.

Request a Payment Extension

If you’re unable to pay your utility bill in full by the due date, you can request a one-time payment extension from Sarasota County Utilities. This provides an extra 10 days to make payment and avoid late fees or service disruption.

To get a payment extension:

1. Log into your online account and note your total balance due.
2. Call 941-861-6790 to speak with a representative.
3. Explain your situation and request the one-time 10 day extension.
4. Pay the full balance within the extension period.

Contact Sarasota County Utilities right away if you foresee an issue paying on time so an extension can be set up in advance of the due date.

Apply for Financial Hardship Assistance

Sarasota County partners with local organizations to provide utility bill payment assistance programs for those facing financial difficulties. These can cover part of your bill or provide emergency relief if unable to pay.

Some of the assistance programs include:

• Salvation Army
• St. Vincent de Paul
• Jewish Family & Children’s Services

To learn more on eligibility and apply, call 941-861-6790. They’ll advise what assistance is available and application requirements.

Review Monthly Usage

You can view usage graphs and set alerts for high usage through Sarasota County’s online portal. Monitoring usage helps you:

• Identify leaks indicated by spikes.
• Track trends over time.
• Receive alerts as you approach a specified usage.
• Adjust usage if needed before receiving a high bill.

Proactive monitoring provides visibility into your consumption patterns so you can exercise control over your utility costs.

Pay Immediately If Past Due

If your utility account becomes past due, it’s important to pay the balance promptly to avoid:

• Late payment fees added to your account.
• Utility service shutoff.
• Reconnection fees if shutoff occurs.

Stay current on utility bill payments to prevent extra fees or disruptions. If you receive a shutoff notice for non-payment, pay the past due amount immediately.

Questions? Contact Customer Service

If you have any questions on your utility account, monthly bill, or the various payment options, Sarasota County’s customer service team is here to help.

Contact them at 941-861-6790 or [email protected] Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

The customer service team can answer billing questions, take payments, set up payment plans, and more. Their job is ensuring you get quick answers and great service.

Paying your Sarasota County utility bill on time doesn’t need to be a chore. Use this guide to choose a payment option that fits your needs. Consistent on-time payments guarantee ongoing access to the essential services you rely on.