Contact Information

Director of Finance: Jon Garrison
Utility Clerk: Cindy McKenney
Utility Clerk: Karla Cox


The Utility Billing division is responsible for the City’s water, wastewater and storm water utility bills. Utility Clerks are available from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday to answer questions regarding your bill, accept payments, or assist in requests of utility connections or disconnections.

Utility service can be initiated or terminated in the Utility office located at 123 South Main Street or by calling (620) 223-8133. When water service is connected, a responsible person needs to be present at the location receiving service to ensure that no water damage occurs as a result of faucets that have been inadvertently left on or unknown leaks are present. When disconnecting utility service, customers need to supply a forwarding address. The final bill, or deposit refund, will be sent to such address.

Deposit Information

Two options are available in lieu of the required cash deposit:
1. A letter of credit may be obtained from a current Gas or Electric company
        a. Residential Customers: Requires 12 Months of ZERO late payments
        b. Commercial Customers: Requires 24 Months of ZERO late payments
2. Co-Sign by a current customer with a history of 24 months of on time payments

If neither of these options are available for you, a cash deposit is required as follows:
        a. $150.00 Deposit for Residential Service
        b. Business Deposits are based on the size and type of service.

Water Ordinance, 3314
Sewer Ordinance, 3050
Storm Drain Ordinance, 3208

Billing

• General Information
  The City of Fort Scott is divided into four billing cycles, the 2nd, 9th, 16th, and 23rd of each month. The billing starts on the west side of town and moves east. Your property location within the city determines your billing cycle. Bills are delinquent if not paid by the due date as shown on the bill. Once an account is delinquent, a 5% charge is added to your account and a delinquent/shut off notice is mailed. After 2 months of delinquent bills, a red tag will be sent notifying of shut off. Once service is disconnected, a $30.00 re-connection charge is required to be paid in addition to the bill. Once again, a responsible person will be required to be at the residence for the water to be turned back on.

• Payment Methods
  You may mail your payments, pay directly at City Hall, or drop off payments at the City Hall Night Depository. The Night Depository is located in the alley behind City Hall in the receptacle box. This alley allows for North Bound traffic only. Accepted methods of payment are cash, checks, money orders, Visa, MasterCard, or Bank Draft payments. We request NO CASH be left in the drop boxes. Payments can also be paid at both Citizens Bank N.A. locations by check or money order only. Customers due for disconnect need to come directly to City Hall to make payment in order to prevent shut off.

Understanding Your Utility Bill

The monthly utility bill provides detailed information about individual accounts and includes charges for water usage, wastewater charges, storm water fees, and taxes and protection fees.

The bills are based upon water usage. Water usage is measured in 100 cubic feet increments. 100 cubic feet equals 750 gallons.

The basis for wastewater charges for residential users shall be the actual water used for the months of December, January, February and March. Any residential user that does not have service established for those 4 winter months shall pay wastewater charges based upon the city average until a new water average is available. Businesses are based on each month’s usage.

Additional Services Provided in the City Water Office

License Information

• Dogs- All dogs within the city limits must have a City Dog Tag. The required tag is available for purchase in the Water Office. Current vaccination records are required. The tag is good for 1 year running from June 1st to May 31st.
  •$3.00 for spayed or neutered dog
  •$5.00 otherwise
• Fishing- License fee is currently provided through a government grant, therefore at this time there is no charge.
• Boat Permits- Cost is based on size of motor
  • Boating Ordinance, 3054

Lake Lot Frontage

• Payments currently accepted in this office