Port Orange discontinues online payment system indefinitely

The City of Port Orange has discontinued its online utility billing and business tax payment system, Click2Gov, indefinitely, citing possible security concerns and protocols that do not meet city standards, according to a Nov. 8 press release.

The shutdown includes monthly credit card auto-pay, as well as one-time online payments, which include both water utility billing and business tax renewals.

“The City of Port Orange is taking a cautious approach to protect its customers’ information,” the release stated.

Port Orange officials have forced a precautionary suspension of the online payment system at least twice in two years. Once in 2017, when hackers caused data breaches that threatened Ormond Beach. This year, the city shuttered the system again in October, when officials again became concerned about program breaches.

The city’s customer service staff is available for questions and to process payments over the phone at 386-506-5720 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, except for Wednesday when the office closes at 4 p.m. Customers interested in paying their bill in person are encouraged to stop by customer service in City Hall, using the city’s drive-thru and an after-hours drop box on the north side of City Hall, located at 1000 City Center Circle. Customers can also pay by mail or set up automated payments through Automated Clearing House (ACH). This shutdown does not disrupt customers who use personal bill pay through their bank.

For business tax renewals, Community Development staff is available to process payments over the phone by calling 386-506-5602 or in person by stopping by Community Development, located on the second floor of City Hall between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

City staff is looking into alternative payment methods that will be convenient, while at the same time maximizing the protection of residents’ information in the online world, which is the city’s number one priority, the release stated, adding that it will provide more information as it becomes available.