February 2nd, 2015 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 officials note 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. Cumberland City Councilman David Kauffman tells WCBC News that although there has been a history of city-county battles over this issue, including a court case- he believes they can work together to find the best possible outcome for city and county residents…