JEA pulls plug on card service fee subsidy that cost $9M

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — JEA has pulled the plug on a card service fee subsidy for customers that Action News Jax Ben Becker has learned cost the utility – and rate payers - $9 million.

On Thursday, the utility announced the return of the vendor service fee for debit and credit payments made on its website or on the phone, starting Sept. 30.

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JEA waived the service fee starting in October 2022 to assist customers who were having trouble paying their bills during COVID.

The $9 million in costs incurred by the utility, is spread across all JEA ratepayers and not just the ones who choose to pay by card.

JEA says there have been nearly 4.5 million customer transactions through July 2024.

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The following are the new service fees:

• For a total payment of up to $400, the fee is $2.35
• For a total payment of $400.01-$1,000, the fee is $8.95
• For a total payment of $1,000.01-$10,000, the fee is $150.00

The utility says this fee is a pass-through cost charged by its payment processing vendor. Payments made by cash, check, or using a bank account will remain fee-free.

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