Student Guide To Utilities
2009 Student Connection: Start, transfer or stop your utilities online!
Using the Internet to Connect Utilities
1. Go to Utility Online Services and select "Connect, Transfer or Stop Utility Services", this will take you to the company that handles the online transactions for the City of Tallahassee Utilities. Make sure to sign up for SmartBill to get your utility bills securely delivered to your email. The Smartbill also offers a free electronic payment option.
2. Follow the directions to open (or transfer, stop) your utility account and you're done! Make sure to print out your confirmation page.
There are additional ways to connect your utilities. For a complete list, go to our Customer Service connection page.
Using the Interactive Phone System
The interactive phone system gives you access to your account information 24/7. You can also use the system to transfer your services from one address to another and stop (turn off) your utilities. Just call 891-4YOU (4968) and follow the voice prompts. You can also talk to a Customer Service Representative available Monday-Friday, 7am to 7pm.
Deposits and Connection Fees
Beginning November 12, 2009 new utility customers establishing service will be able to pay deposits over the first three months billing.
Deposits will be billed in three installments in addition to any normal charges on your utility bills.
Connection Fees for new utility customers will either be billed in full on your first utility bill (for in person connections) or will be collected by Western Union at the time of connection if you use the online service.
| Service | Deposits | Connection Fees for New & Transfer Accounts |
|---|---|---|
| Electric Only | $160.00 | $18.50 |
| Water Only | $50.00 | $18.50 |
| Gas Only | $60.00 | $18.50 |
| Electric & Water | $210.00 | $37.00 |
| Electric, Water, Gas | $270.00 | $55.50 |
Paying Your Utility Bill
There are numerous options for paying your utility bill. You can make a payment online, through automatic check withdrawal, by phone, by mail, at our Drive-Through facility located at 600 North Monroe, at the Frenchtown Renaissance Center and at certain local banks and Credit Unions. For a complete details, go to Customer Service, Paying Your Utility Bill.
Make sure to sign up for SmartBill to get your utility bills securely delivered to your email inbox. The Smartbill also offers a free electronic payment option.
Asking Questions About Your Account
On the Web: You can look up your account information online. You can view current and past bills, graphs of utility usage and much more. If you have a question about your account, you can email Utility Customer Services.
By Phone: You can use now use our new interactive phone system to get account information at anytime, 365 days a year. Call 891-4968 and follow the prompts for information about your account. Call the Customer Account Services at 891-4YOU between 7am and 7pm to talk to a representative.
Emergency Service Numbers
For all Utility Emergency Service requests and notifications, please call 891-4YOU (4968), 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Energy Conservation
The best way to reduce your utility bill is to reduce the amount of electricity
and water you use. Find out more on our e+, Energy Smart Plus page.
Garbage, Recycling and Bulky Item Services for Apartments
Additional Information
- Electronics
- Recycling other items such as plastic bags, tires, batteries, cell phones, more...
- Hazardous Waste
Each apartment complexes' management decides that either their tenants will be billed for solid waste collection as part of the monthly City utility bill or their monthly rent will include solid waste charges. If each apartment is billed by the City, the monthly charge is $8.30. This fee covers collection and disposal of garbage and collection and processing of recyclables (if recycling has been set up by the apartment management), but not trash items. Ask your manager where to place old furniture and other bulky items, appliances, old bikes, Christmas trees, yard waste, etc. for disposal. These "trash" items, per Florida law, cannot be placed in garbage or recycling containers. The $8.30 fee does NOT include service for collection of trash items, so the complex's account will be billed for this special pick-up service.
Garbage
Apartment customers primarily use dumpsters for garbage. Some small complexes may use garbage cans (due to space constraints).
Recycling
Apartment customers primarily use recycling centers for recycling (apartment management determines if there is room for a recycling center on premises). Some small complexes use recycling bins and some may use garbage cans (due to space constraints).
There are two locations to drop off recyclable items.
- City of Tallahassee Solid Waste Services - 2727 Municipal Way Directions: Go west on Pensacola Street to Appleyard Drive. Turn left on Appleyard. Take another immediate left onto Municipal Way. Solid Waste Services is the second building on the left. Turn into the driveway just past the main building's parking lot. The container is just outside the gate to the "truck yard". This container is accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- Leon County Solid Waste Management Facility (the Landfill) - 7550 Apalachee Parkway Directions: Go east on Apalachee Parkway, past the Super Wal-Mart, Mom and Dad's Restaurant, and Nino's. The landfill will be on the left. Call 414-9346 for hour.
Bulky Items
Apartment customers should ask your manager where to place old furniture
and other bulky items, appliances, old bikes, etc. for disposal. These "trash" items,
per Florida law, cannot be placed in garbage or recycling containers. The
$8.30 fee does NOT include service for collection of trash items, so the
complex's account will be billed for this special pick-up service.