Some Amherst taxpayers double-billed

AMHERST, N.Y. (WIVB) - Big questions are on tap in Amherst, where some residents can't believe the cost of their water bills.

For Amherst homeowners and businesses, water going in to their pipes comes from the Erie County Water Authority. When it goes out, the town charges a sewer-user fee, based in part on their bill from the Water Authority. But occasionally, that pipeline between the two agencies develops a glitch.

Amherst Town Assessor Harry Williams explained, "And when they send it to us, we match our numbers, our section, block, and lot numbers, with theirs, and we have what is called a 'mismatch.'"

Williams told News 4 that "mismatch" or glitch in the sewer charges led to almost 300 Amherst homeowners getting double-billed, amounting to $80,000 in overcharges.

"As we were processing these, for whatever reason, they double-billed. They took the extra gallonages and doubled it. So if it was 62,000 gallons, you saw another 62,000 gallons," said Williams.

He says the double-billing was discovered when those taxpayers opened their bills and saw something was way out of whack.

Williams said, "It was a taxpayer who caught it. The thing is, when you see your bill jump, it will tip you off."

He said the errors have been corrected and new bills are going out Wednesday. Those who have not paid their taxes, yet, will get their true tax bill. Those who paid the double-bill, will get a refund. And if you pay your taxes to the bank, with your mortgage, your escrow account will be adjusted.