Council approves water department budget; members ask about long-running pump maintenance and paving

The Cumberland Town Council voted to approve the Water Department’s FY2024–25 operating budget (proposed $7,037,945) after hearing clarifications about an 'A' version of the ordinance and operational updates.

Mayor Muddam and staff clarified that the circulated 'A' version was a minor wording correction in ClarkBase (changing 'adjusted' to 'adopted') and that the mayor did not propose substantive changes to the water figures. The clerk read proposed revenues and expenditures and opened the public hearing at 6:48 PM.

Councilor Shaw asked about a pump outage at Manville Hill. Shaw said the pump "has been down for 4 weeks" for planned maintenance and expected it to be returned to service within "the next week and a half." The mayor and staff confirmed the maintenance had been budgeted and planned.

Councilor Bradley asked whether paving associated with water work would be completed; staff confirmed paving is scheduled from Angel Road to the 295 overpass and for the section dug up several years ago. After closing the public hearing the council approved the water budget; roll call recorded a 6–1 vote with Councilor Bradley dissenting.

What to watch: councilors flagged operational follow-ups — pump repairs and completion of paving tied to water projects — and the mayor said recently approved water rates will begin to repay general-fund costs that had previously subsidized water department expenses.