CUMBERLAND — The mayor and City Council unanimously raised water and sewer rates effective July 1.
The group at Tuesday’s public meeting approved an ordinance to increase costs by 8% for water and 11% for sewer.
For the average 3,000 gallon-per-month water bill in the city, the new rate means roughly $2.50 more, and about a $3.70 increase for residents outside Cumberland limits.
Without the increases, the water and sewer funds would reach negative cash-flow levels of $698,000 and $2.2 million, respectively, according to Cumberland Comptroller Mark Gandolfi.
The mayor and City Council a year ago unanimously approved a water rate increase from $6.77 to $8.12 for the first 748 gallons for residents inside Cumberland limits.
In terms of the higher sewer rate, under the 3,000-gallon average monthly consumption scenario, city residents will pay an extra $4.25, and outside residents will see about a $6.40 increase.
City officials last raised sewer rates in 2015.
Last month, Cumberland resident David Biser told the mayor and council members that many local residents struggle financially to make ends meet.
“I’ve talked to a lot of people that are worried,” he said.
At that time, Biser warned city officials that higher rates could discourage new folks from moving to Cumberland.
“If you want people to move into the city, do whatever you can to keep from raising those rates,” he said.
Also at Tuesday’s meeting, the mayor and council agreed to buy 26, 28, and 30 Front St.; and 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24 Queen City Pavement from the Union Rescue Mission of Western Maryland for $50,000.
The property is the former home of the rescue mission, which officially moved to 710 N. Centre St. in November.
At that time, David Ziler, the mission’s executive director, said he hoped the city would buy the organization’s former headquarters.
Tuesday, Cumberland Administrator Jeff Silka spoke of the city’s plan for the former mission.
“That will most likely be a demolition,” he said.