LAWTON – The City of Lawton has resumed cutting off service for customers who haven’t paid their utility bills.
Lawton temporarily suspended utility cut-offs for nonpayment in April because the city was switching to a new self-service portal for utility billing, City Manager Michael Cleghorn’s office said in a news release. The city resumed cut-offs July 6, and they will continue for the foreseeable future.
Bills are due upon receipt, and the city performs cut-offs Monday through Thursday for any bill that is more than 20 days overdue, according to the news release.
The city offers several ways to make utility bill payments, as follows:
- In person: People may make payments at the Utility Services office, 212 SW
Ninth St., which is the fastest way to have payments applied to their account. The office accepts cash, checks, money orders or credit cards for payment.
- Online: Online payments may be made with a check or a credit card. There is a
delay of two business days in processing online payments, so people should avoid making last-minute payments.
People who schedule a payment through a third-party bank should schedule it at least 10 days before the cut-off date to ensure the payment is processed before service is shut off.
- Drop-off payments: People who are paying with a check or money order may
drop off payments at the drive-up drop. If you are making a last-minute payment, remember that all payments made after 11 a.m. will be processed the following business day.
“The City of Lawton encourages all customers to take advantage of the direct draft program,” Cleghorn’s office said in the news release. “If this option is utilized, you will not have to be concerned about forgetting to pay your utility bill in a timely manner. The same options as making payment online are available for a direct draft payment.”