BIDDEFORD – Residents who told the City Council that they’d be willing to pay more taxes if it kept the city from cutting services are getting their chance to do so.

Tax bills to be mailed Sept. 2 will include a letter telling residents how they can pad their payments – and, by the way, the city would be most grateful for those extra contributions.

The letter will also tell tax-exempt nonprofit agencies how to make a payment to the city in lieu of taxes.

“We’re making a point,” Ward 5 City Councilor James Grattelo said after Tuesday’s vote. “The point is aimed at residents who proclaimed during budget hearings earlier this summer that they would gladly pay higher taxes if it would keep the city from cutting money for services and schools.”

Some councilors see the letter as a way to challenge residents to put their money where their mouths are.

Mayor Donna Dion, who asked the council to authorize the letter, said the proposal is serious.

She said there may be residents who want to make a contribution to a city group – she mentioned City Theater as an example – and said there should be a mechanism to do so.

“This letter is not going to be putting pressure on anybody,” she said. “It is giving someone an opportunity.”

The letter, which will be drafted by City Manager Edward Clifford, is likely to include boxes where residents will be able to check off where they want the money to go – schools, parks, etc.

City Councilor Vincent Keely said tax bills in Boston, where he once lived, include a similar letter.

“It’s a good idea,” he said. “I don’t know how many people we’ll get in the city of Biddeford, but lets give it a try.”