Cumberland will raise taxes

Cumberland Township officials are proposing a millage increase in 2026, marking the municipality’s first tax adjustment in eight years as it works to maintain services and address rising costs. All information about the plan was provided by the township in a letter sent this week to residents and landowners.

According to the township, the budget is “arguably the most important policy document a local government produces,” serving as a financial and operational roadmap that outlines priorities for the coming year. The proposed 2026 budget includes a 0.5-mill increase, a change township leaders say will support service delivery, stabilize finances, and help plan for future needs.

The increase follows discussions at a Nov. 18 workshop and a Nov. 25 Board of Supervisors meeting. Township officials said the budget takes into account income, fixed expenses, debt, flexible and unplanned expenses, and savings. The millage adjustment, the township wrote, “will not only accomplish the goals of the township for 2026, but it will accomplish the goals of the township for years to come.”

Under the proposal, a property with an assessed value of $269,911.12—the township’s average—would see an increase of $11.25 per month in municipal taxes.

The last time Cumberland Township adjusted its municipal tax rate was in 2018. The township cited inflation, tariffs, a 50% rise in healthcare costs since 2021, and staffing needs as key drivers behind the proposed increase. Officials said the adjustment is necessary to maintain the “high-quality services our community expects.”

The township emphasized that the budget acts not only as a spending plan but also as a management tool, ensuring financial stability and allowing the municipality to meet its obligations. “Essentially, the budget is the primary tool for a municipality to plan the future and implement its vision,” the letter stated.

Residents can view the full proposed budget and a tax reference table at www.cumberlandtwppa.gov.

In its message to residents, the township said it will “continue to put every dollar collected to manage the Township and provide the services Cumberland Township residents rely on every day.”

Source: Cumberland Township