FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 9, 2013

Contact: Communications Office
(850) 245-4111

TALLAHASSEE—The Florida Department of Health (DOH) has launched a new online billing system for environmental health-related permits. Approximately 150,000 permit holders will now be able to use a secure online system to pay permit renewal fees for swimming pools, biomedical waste facilities, food hygiene facilities, onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems (OSTDS), tanning facilities, migrant labor camp housing, limited use public water systems, body piercing facilities, community-based residential facilities, tattoo establishments and mobile home parks.

“Improvements like these reflect the Department’s commitment to provide customer-oriented services,” said William Reinhold, IT/Preparedness Director, Bureau of Environmental Health. “This online payment process is an example of how state government can work efficiently by using private sector principles. It offers a simplified, secure and convenient solution for Florida’s businesses, local governments and other permit holders.”

The Online Billing Permitting System will enable permit holders to pay their permit renewal invoices online, thus reducing costs to the state, county and the permit holder. Efficiencies and cost savings will be realized in both payment processing and permit delivery. By centralizing the administrative functions of processing payments and issuing permits, DOH personnel in Florida’s counties now have more time to conduct necessary inspections, work with permit holders on any local issues and protect overall public health.

Current Florida permit holders will receive a printed invoice this year, but will be encouraged to pay online and create an account so that future invoices can be emailed to them directly. Permit holders can create their account online at www.myfloridaehpermit.com.

For more information on the number of environmental health permits issued (by type), visit www.myfloridaeh.com/ephdata/index.html.

The Department works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

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