Official Payments, also known as ACI Worldwide, was awarded a five-year contract with the Town of Columbus that will allow water bill payments both online through a web portal and an IVR (Interactive Voice Response) pay-by-phone system.

On Thursday, May 21, Columbus Town Council unanimously voted to accept the contract presented by Official Payments in the April 16 meeting.

After a 30-60 day implementation and test period, according to Official Payments representative Max Bisschop, the system will be online and accept eCheck, credit and debit cards.

Payments made online or by phone IVR will be charged a $2 convenience fee. The option to mail or drop off payments at city hall will remain intact.

The IVR system will be scripted in both English and Spanish, with agents available to assist customers.

The network is expected to live by the first of August.