City residents will be paying more for water starting this summer.
The water board on Friday voted in favor of a 7.5 percent rate hike for the coming fiscal year.
That works out to about $5 a month for the average homeowner.
It's the first time in five years the rate increase comes in under 10 percent.
Currently, it costs the average city homeowner about $877 a year for water, up nearly 80 percent over the past several years
.Residents who spoke with NY1 were mixed on the increase.
"I think it's a fair rate, it's much better than what rates have been in the past and I thought it would be much higher," said one city resident.
"Are you kidding me? It's just another tax. They say no new taxes. It's not a tax but you're raising the tax," said one city landlord.
City Water Board Chairman Alan Moss says he understands people's frustration with any increase, but says the board needs to set rates to remain self-sufficient.
"We have to pay for the maintenance, the operation, the repair, the capital program. And if we fail to do that, we'll compromise one of the city's most important assets," Moss said.
Those who pay by direct debit and enroll in paperless billing will continue to receive a two percent discount.
The rate hikes will take effect July 1st.
