Brooklyn homeowners rejoice.
Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Wednesday, December 20 that the New York Court of Appeals will uphold the Water Board’s issuance of credit to homeowners, allowing more than 664,000 homeowners across the city to receive a credit of $183 on an upcoming water bill.
The $183 credit was first proposed by the city in 2016 and approved by the Water Board as part of its fiscal year 2017 budget. However, later that year, a legal challenge was filed and the New York County Supreme Court invalidated the credit. The decision was appealed by the Water Board and upheld by the Appellate Division’s First Department.
However, the Board later appealed to the New York State Board of Appeals, which upheld the Board’s authority to issue the credit.
“This is good news and much needed relief to homeowners who for years saw their water bills skyrocket. I commend Mayor de Blasio and Corporation Counsel [Zachary] Carter for keeping their promise to homeowners and not giving up on this long fight for fairness all the way up to the highest court in the state,” said Councilmember-elect Justin Brannan.
The credit will apply to all one to three family homes across the city. Nearly 205,000 homeowners in Brooklyn will benefit from the credit, second only to homeowners in Queens.
According to the Mayor, the credit “represents a nearly 17 percent savings on the annual water and sewer bills for a typical single-family homeowner.”
“I am pleased to see the court uphold the Water Board’s sensible decision to help our city’s working families save money. Keeping the cost of utilities down is an important step toward maintaining affordability for thousands of New Yorkers,” said Councilmember Mark Treyger.
Councilmember Carlos Menchaca highlighted the credit’s effect on senior citizens.
“Winning this water board credit for small one- to three-family houses will cut homeowners’ water bills by up to 40 percent. This is especially helpful for seniors and low- or fixed-income households struggling with expenses. I thank Mayor de Blasio for delivering this water bill relief to 80% of all City water customers,” Menchaca said.