Jersey City Council Repeals Controversial Pool Fees

Jersey City, NJ — The Jersey City Council voted Wednesday night to repeal the controversial pool fees introduced in 2023, restoring free summer pool access for all residents.

The decision, led by Councilmembers James Solomon and Frank Gilmore, marks a reversal of a policy that required residents to pay for public pool access for the first time in living memory.

“Our Jersey City summer pools are free once again,” Solomon announced in a joint statement with Gilmore. “It’s a great time, and we’re extremely thankful. We know and understand that most residents are working paycheck to paycheck, so we wanted to do everything in our power to make sure we were looking out for everyday Jersey City residents.”

The fees, which took effect in 2024, caught many families by surprise, particularly as they faced increased financial burdens—including a 40% rise in property taxes, record-high rents, and once-in-a-generation inflation.

“As the Councilmembers have noted, implementing the pool fees in 2024 was particularly unconscionable,” said a statement from Councilman Solomon’s office. “Families in Jersey City are grappling with major financial pressures, and it was clear that funding these essential services by charging the very residents who need them most was simply the wrong approach.”

“We should not be balancing the budget on the backs of working people in this city,” Gilmore said. “The job of city government is to take care of the people of this city, and so we’re proud to do that tonight.”

The repeal is expected to take effect immediately, allowing Jersey City residents free access to municipal pools this summer.