You can now pay by phone 24/7 at 478-825-7703 or use our phone app CLICK HERE                         SCAM ALERT!!!    Scammers are contacting customers asking for payment on past-due bills. We will never call you and ask for a payment over the phone.                           You may qualify for Bill Payment Assistance. Call 478.922.4464 or 478.825.6025.
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In an emergency call 911

To report an outage:
During Business Hours:
478-825-7701

After Business Hours:
478-825-5482

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ATTENTION: To set up a new online account, you will need your new account number and the last amount paid to your account.

INSTRUCTIONS TO SETUP YOUR NEW ONLINE BILL PAY ACCOUNT

  1. At the top of this page click on the blue button labeled
    "CLICK HERE TO PAY YOUR BILL"
  2. At the top right-hand corner of the screen click on the Register button.
  3. Fill in your information and click the Create Member button. you will receive an email with a link that you need to click on to confirm your email address. The email will come from noreply@municipalonlinepayments.com When you click on the link, it will take you to https://www.municipalonlinepayments.com/fortvalleyutilitycommissionga
  4. Login with the email address and password you used to create the account.
  5. Click on any of the 3 links labeled Utility Billing
  6. Click Add an Account. Type in your NEW account number, the last payment amount made on your account, and click Add Account. If you don’t know either of these you can call customer service at 478-825-7701.
  7. Your account is now set up to pay your bill online. You can also schedule a payment or enroll in Auto Pay.

READ THE INFORMATION BELOW BEFORE MAKING A PAYMENT

  • Click here for a list of places where you can pay your bill in person
  • Your transaction must be completed prior to 6PM (EST) on the due date stated on your bill or a late fee will be assessed on the next bill.
  • If the account is currently cut-off due to non-payment and you pay on-line after normal business hours, the account will not be reconnected until the next business day.
  • An online payments fee will be charged to your credit card or bank statement of $1.50. It will show as a separate charge from your payment.
CLICK HERE TO PAY YOUR BILL

 

 

History

Charter Provisions

The City of Fort Valley was originally chartered in 1853, and new charters were enacted in 1856, 1873 and 1883. In 1890, the 1883 charter was amended to create the Board of Commissioners of Water and Sewers with full power to make all contracts necessary to employ labor for the construction of and proper keeping of the water works and sewers, and in every respect to have full and entire control of the construction and management of said works. They shall fix water rates to all persons using water from the water-works, and collect the same, pay the necessary expenses of the water, and any surplus remaining in their hands they shall pay into the treasury of the town and take proper receipt therefore, at such times annually as the mayor and council may request them to do so. (Ga. L. 1890, p. 644).

The present city charter was enacted in 1907 (Ga. L. 1907, p. 651). Section 28 of the charter as originally enacted provided that the mayor and council shall have full power and authority to establish and maintain a system of water-works and sanitary sewage . . . and also a system of telephones and electric lights for said city and granted to mayor and council full police powers over the system. They were also given full power and authority to fix the price and regulate the terms covering the payment of same on all water rents, electric light dues, sewage connections and telephone charges within said city. The 1907 charter did not mention the board of water and sewers, but the board continued to exist without interruption.

In 1909, the 1907 charter was amended to create a Board of Water and Light Commissioners with the same powers, duties and rights as the board of water and sewers under the 1890 charter provisions (Ga. L. 1909, p. 900).

The incumbent commissioners of water and sewers were designated as members of the new board, with specific provisions for future elections to four-year terms on a staggered basis. The powers of the new commission were extended to include the lighting plant and the entire subject and business of the city in furnishing lights for the streets and for private use. (Id.)

In 1945, the municipal charter was amended to provide that the mayor and council, with the approval of the water and light commissioners, may use, expend or invest revenue derived from the operation of utilities . . . for any cause or purpose in promotion of the common welfare of said city or its citizens, subject to the requirement that a majority of each body shall agree to such use and the amount to be used in each instance (Ga. L. 1945, p. 885). This amendment also contained a provision that neither the city nor either of these bodies may sell, lease or otherwise dispose of its electrical distribution system or its water pumping, water storing or water distribution system, or grant any franchise, privilege or right to sell or distribute electric current . . . or grant any franchise to pump, store or distribute water . . . unless and until not less than 75% of the qualified voters of said city vote in favor of such sale, lease or other disposition of said public facilities at an election called for that purpose. (Id.)

In 1953, the board was renamed the Utility Commission and given the same powers duties and rights as the prior boards as to all public utilities including sewers, water, lights, electricity, natural gas and any other utility that the City of Fort Valley may engage in lawfully in any manner whatsoever (Ga. L. 1953, Nov.-Dec. Sess., p. 2817). In 2021, the membership of the Board of the Utility Commission was expanded to include two members appointed by the Peach County Board of Commissioners and one member appointed by the Crawford County Board of Commissioners. 

In 1999, the charter was amended under Home Rule provisions to provide full power and authority to own and operate a telecommunications systems network. .

This includes power to serve consumers within and outside the corporate limits of the city.

Under the specific provisions of the charter, the Utility Commission has full and entire control of the construction and management of all public utilities furnished by the city and the rates charged. The Utility Commission has contributed millions of dollars to the city general government over the years.