MASON CITY –
The City of Mason city is pleased to announce several more options for citizens to stay connected with the City’s business and provide another opportunity for efficient and effective government allowing utility customers the option to make utility billing payments online.
WEBSITE:
Staff is pleased to announce the launch of its redesigned website at www.masoncity.net.
The newly designed layout provides a user friendly and logical way to navigate throughout the site for the user. The system also allows quick access to a broad array of services, documents and programs.
The site features a new graphic appearance showcasing photographs of the community on the home page as well as in the slideshow image gallery. City staff believes that the redesign represents a significant opportunity to more efficiently and effectively deliver services to citizens through the site 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
ONLINE UTILITY BILL PAYMENT OPTION:
Beginning May 10, 2012, City water utility customers will have the ability to make payments online. Along with the online payment option is the ability to opt out of paper billings and receive an e-billing statement. This service is only available for utility billing payments at this time.
Citizens that desire to use this option must first register by clicking on the ‘Pay Utility Bill Online’ button on the city’s homepage at www.masoncity.net. Follow the directions to become registered. Once the registration process is complete, please allow approximately 24 hours for your registration to be processed into the system. This registration process is only for the first time use. For all future online payments, the user would login with username and password.
The free option for making a payment online includes using a checking or savings account. Or for a small fee, residents can call (877) 885-7968 to pay by debit card or Mastercard, Discover or Visa credit card.
Citizens can also view their utility bills online without utilizing the online bill payment option by clicking on the ‘View Your Utility Bill’ button on the home page of the website at www.masoncity.net.
SOCIAL MEDIA OUTLETS – FACEBOOK AND TWITTER:
Along with the website upgrade, the City of Mason City is excited to announce two new social media pages as additional tools to help staff communicate with the citizens by spreading news and information in a timely manner.
Citizens are encouraged to ‘like’ the City of Mason City’s Facebook page (City of Mason City) to keep current on the latest City events and happenings. News, calendar events, meetings, jobs and other City information will be posted regularly to the page.
Citizens can also follow the City of Mason City’s Twitter feed at masoncityiowa. Followers of the City of Mason City’s Twitter page can subscribe to receive Tweets or updates about news and events pertaining to the City.
These two social media outlets along with the website are additional avenues of communication for City staff to reach citizens by keeping them informed of timely news and information.
I do not feel that paying someone to answer Facebook comments or Twitter is an appropriate use of taxpayer dollars.
Buzz, how is this different than paying city employees to respond to emails?
Like Betty White said ” I think Facebook is a huge waste of time” And, I would agree with her.
It might be too tempting for a city employee to spend time on their own account vs. strictly taking care of city business.
The new City of Mason City web page might be more user friendly, but it sure is unprofessional looking. The color is awful and ugly. Please rethink the look of the web page. The old one was very nicely done and one we could all be proud of.