CONTACT INFORMATION

107 Miracle Strip Pkwy SW, Fort Walton Beach, FL  32548

850-833-9500

UTILITIES - WATER, SEWER, SANITATION & STORMWATER

The City of Fort Walton Beach Customer Service Division is responsible for reading water meters, billing customers, receiving payments, opening and closing utility accounts, and resolving customer inquiries for the City's 9,000 utility customers.  Services include water, sewer, sanitation, county tipping fees, and stormwater utility fees.  

The Customer Service Division offers a variety of methods to pay your bill:  In person, by mail, telephone, online, bank draft and recurring credit card payments.  Once you set up bank draft or recurring credit card payments (AutoPay), your payment is automatically made for you.  There's nothing to remember or worry about because your bill is paid automatically and on time.  Recurring credit card or bank draft features make paying your bill simple and convenient.  And the most important benefit of all is that you don't have to REMEMBER to make the payment!!!

• How do I sign up?  Recurring Credit Card and Bank Draft can be set up directly online.  You will need your water bill for account information.  Click on the link below "Pay Water Bill Online or Set up AutoPay Services".  Enter your account number including the hyphen (12345-67890) and your PIN.  Select AutoPay and follow the directions.  If you have not created a PIN, select 'Create Password' and follow the directions.

• You can also download and fill out the bank draft application form from the link below "Download an Electronic Funds Transfer Form" and return to the Customer Service Division at City Hall along with a voided check.  Or, mail the completed application and a voided check to:  City of Fort Walton Beach, Customer Service Division, 107 Miracle Strip Parkway SW, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548.  If you have any questions regarding recurring credit card or bank draft, please call 850-833-9500.

• How will I know how much is paid by credit card or bank draft?  You will continue to receive a monthly bill.  The 'Total Due' will be paid by your credit card company or deducted from your bank account on the 'Due Date' shown on your bill.  If bank draft is used, be sure to deduct the 'Total Due' from your bank book balance!

• What if I have a question about my bill?  Call the Customer Service Division at 850-833-9500 before the 'Due Date' and we will answer any questions you may have.  The earlier you call with questions, the greater the possibility of correcting any problems prior to payment by your credit card company or drafting your bank account.

• What record will I have showing that I paid my bill?  Your credit card statement or bank statement is proof of payment.

• What if I move, change account numbers or banks, or want to discontinue AutoPay?  Changes to the recurring credit card and bank draft may be made online. The information is entered for one bank and one specific account as set up by you or completed on the application.  If you change account numbers or if you change banks, you must make the changes on line or complete, sign and return a new bank draft form along with a new voided check.

• Once the Recurring Credit Card or Bank Draft information has been completed on line, or the Bank Draft application has been submitted, how long before my bill will be paid by my credit card company or drafted from my bank account?  With the recurring credit card and bank draft set up on line, the NEXT BILL that will be generated after you complete the setup process will be paid.  Current balances will not be paid by AutoPay and must be paid by another method.  If submitting the bank draft application, it may take six to eight weeks, or one to two billing cycles, before the bill is drafted from your account.  Continue to pay your bill as you normally would until you see this message on your bill: 'AUTO PAY - DO NOT PAY'.

• With recurring credit card or bank draft, you will continue to receive a monthly bill.  The dollar amount on your utility bill marked 'Total Due' will be deducted from your bank account or credit card on the 'Due Date'.  Depending on holidays and weekends, the date the amount is deducted may be a day or two before or after the due date.  There's nothing to remember or worry about because your bill is paid automatically and on time.  Recurring credit card or bank draft features make paying your bill simple and convenient.  And the most important benefit of all is that you don't have to REMEMBER to make the payment!!!

BUSINESS TAX RECEIPTS (formerly Occupational Licenses)

A Business Tax Receipt (BTR) is issued by the City of Fort Walton Beach for the privilege of operating a business.  Anyone providing merchandise or services to the public, even through a one-person company or home based occupation, must obtain a city BTR to operate.  In some cases, if a business performs several functions, it may be necessary to acquire more than one BTR.

Before a City BTR can be issued, a business must meet all conditions required by city, county, state or federal agency regulations which apply to that business or occupation.  Many businesses will be subject to zoning codes.  If the nature of a business brings employees inside the city limits to conduct business even though the business establishment is in the county, it is necessary to register with the city.

BTR fees vary depending on the nature of the business.  The number of employees, equipment and seating capacity are a few variables considered in the cost factor.

Business Tax Receipts are renewed annually beginning in July.  MasterCard and Visa are acceptable forms of payment for all renewals.  If you have ANY changes to be made to your existing BTR you must contact or come into our office to make the needed change(s).  The BTR is valid through September 30th of the following year.  New BTR's are issued any time during the year and are prorated April 1st, at which time half-year fees apply.  Failure to renew a BTR subjects the owner to delinquent fees.  All businesses must maintain a current BTR or City Code Enforcement may close the business until the requirement is met.  You may come in and complete the BTR process at anytime during our regular office hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

It is the responsibility of the business owner to report to the City's BTR Office a change of address, name change or ownership transfer or any change affecting the price of the BTR, i.e. number of employees, seating capacity for restaurants, number of rooms for hotels, apartments, etc.

BTR's can be paid in person or mail by using cash, cashiers check or money order, and for your convenience, we accept Visa and/or Mastercard along with debit cards displaying the credit card logo on the card.

If you have any questions, please call customer service at 850-833-9500, or visit our office at 107 Miracle Strip Parkway, SW, Fort Walton Beach, Florida.

• Pay Water Bill Online or Setup AutoPay Services
  
• Download an Electronic Funds Transfer form now.