Parish utilities to offer online payment

Customers who receive their electricity and gas from Terrebonne Parish’s utilities department may be able to pay their bills online beginning in the summer of 2008, said Edward Lawson, customer service manager for the parish’s finance department.

“Online pay is in the making, though there’s no definite time period,” he said. “We’re looking for an outside source (to operate the online payment system), though it would still be part of Terrebonne Parish government. Customers would still see the TPCG logo.”

Lawson said the parish’s legal department is reviewing one contractor to see if the company meets parish government specifications.

Credit cards and e-Checks could be used to transfer funds online, among other methods of payment.

Lawson said the parish would receive immediate confirmation of payment online, even though the money may not be deposited until a day later.

“We’d get real-time confirmation,” he said. “It’s helpful for disconnects. If a serviceman is out there for a disconnect, he can see whether a payment was made.”

Paying online permits a more accountable collection procedure, he said.

Lawson emphasized that finalization of the process is not complete.

“This unfolded under Schwab’s administration,” he said. “I don’t think (President-elect) Claudet would be against it.”