MURPHY (November 11, 2010) Utility customers and persons making payments to the City of Murphy’s Municipal Courts Department now have an additional way to convey their remittance, according to Candy McQuiston, Customer Service Manager.
“Effectively immediately, the City’s new drive-through payment drop box is open for utility payments and Municipal Court fee deposits. The deposit box is adjacent to the U.S. Postal Service mailbox on the main drive of the Municipal Complex. This new payment drop-off option offers the convenience of a safe and secure way to make payments without having to leave your vehicle,” she said.
Beginning Jan. 3, 2011, the drive-through deposit box will completely replace the walk-up boxes which are currently located in the City Hall and Police/Municipal Court buildings. After that date, these two will no longer accept payments.
“The drive-through deposit box is more convenient, and the recessed driveway means that it’s out of the flow of traffic, offering trouble-free drive-ups. Of course, payments can be made 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” she added.
The deposit box is yet another convenient way for utility customers to make payments or for persons to remit fees to Municipal Court.
City of Murphy utility customers already have a wide variety of ways to make payments.
For example, they may sign up for automatic draft. Customers may transfer funds electronically through an automatic monthly ACH (automated clearing house) bank account or credit card draft. A sign-up form for this service may be obtained from www.murphytx.org or by visiting the Customer Service Department at the Municipal Complex.
Utility payments can also be made online over the City’s website and clicking on the appropriate link.
In-person payments can be made during normal hours of operation, utilizing Visa, Master Card, cash, personal checks, cashier checks or money orders. Additionally, credit card transactions for utility payments can be completed over the phone.
Payments can also be mailed through the U.S. Postal Service, although cash should never be mailed.
“All of these utility payment options are free of charge, and we’d be more than happy to clarify any questions. Personal visits to our office or phone calls to (972) 468-4100 are always welcome,” she added.
Because of the legal nature of some Municipal Court fees, there are some minor differences in how these payments are handled and cleared.
Payment of some Municipal Court fees may include a convenience fee charge. For instance, credit card payments may be made through www.murphytx.org for most cases; however, a $3.25 fee is added to all online payments. Also, online payments will result in a conviction, and it may take as much as 72 hours, plus any holiday hours, for warrants to be cleared if they have been paid online.
Cost-free payments can be made by mail through the U.S. Postal Service for fines, and the Court will accept Visa, Master Card, cash, personal checks, cashier checks, and money orders in person during normal hours of operation. Of course, there is no charge for utilizing the new drive-through deposit box for Municipal Court payments.
Municipal Courts Department operates on the following schedule: Mondays and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The Court closes every day from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
To obtain more information on any of these services, please contact the Municipal Courts Department at (972) 468-4250.
“The City is always striving to provide great customer service and this is another means to provide an easy convenient option to pay for some of the services,” concluded McQuiston.