May 17th, 2018 by WCBC Radio

A year after increasing taxes by nearly 10 percent- the Cumberland City Council is closing in on adopting the FY 2019 budget- and unfortunately it will offer no tax relief.  City officials this week approved the first readings of a number of budget actions which will become official with a vote in two weeks.  When the budget process began, the city was facing a $90,000 shortfall- however savings were realized by trimming some of the city’s several service agreements as well as adding increases of 5 percent for the water and trash collection bills. The property tax rate will not change.  When the city increased taxes last year it was with the understanding the efforts would begin almost immediately to work to lower the rate- however Mayor Brian Grim said that simply wouldn’t be possible unless essential city services are reduced…