June 2nd, 2014 by WCBC Radio
After raising sewer rates 20 percent last year, officials announced last month another 20 percent increase would be added this year. The Cumberland Mayor and City Council expected to finalize the FY 2015 budget during this week’s regular business meeting. It was pointed out during a recent budget work session that the 20 percent increase in the 2014 budget to offset deficits in the city’s sewer fund proved unsuccessful. The average combined bill for water, sewer, garbage collection and Chesapeake Bay fee is around $78, the 20 percent increase for 2015 is expected to add about $8 to that bill. City Administrator Jeff Rhodes said that it’s never an easy decision to recommend rate hikes of any kind, but the cost of operating the sewer system has sky rocketed over the years. On the plus side, no other increases are proposed…
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