OMU’s customer bills may take a new look as they seek ways to be more transparent with the monthly bill breakdown.
The design is in the early stages, but one of the main elements the committee wants to include is a department breakdown of the customer’s bill. The bill will have a donut chart with each utility’s charge to do this.
“The donut chart, we think, brings greater attention to the breakdown in those charges. One of the things that’s not showing here that we do plan on doing is having the actual value put in the key,” OMU Director of Customer & Shared Services Brad Howton said.
These utility breakdowns include electric, water, sewer, sanitation, internet and taxes and miscellaneous charges.
Howton said the bill design hasnt changed in several years. On the back side of the bill, they also will be adding differnet terms and other definitions to explain frequently asked questions.
Another major factor the organization is excited to add to bills is a spot announcing updates and other news about the utility.
“The pride of the back of the bill now is this gray area right here. That is totally customizable. … We can really use this gray section to communicate various topics to the customers during the billing process,” Howton said.
The new design has not been officially approved as smaller details need to be added and tweaked. Howton said though the Commission will approve the new design before it goes to customers.
Howton said the new bill is estimated to be completed by the summertime.
