June 5th, 2012 by WCBC Radio
The issue of tax differential has been an ongoing debate between Allegany County and the City of Cumberland for decades- even after a formula was established by the courts when the two sides couldn’t resolve the matter. The differential is a tax break provided to municipal residents to offset the cost of duplicative services. While many city residents don’t believe enough of a break is being provided and feel they are being double taxed for service- County Finance Director Jason Bennett notes that more than 70% of the county’s total general fund budget goes toward services that otherwise would not be available to city residents. Those include: education; the county detention center; libraries; the health department and tourism…