From the Landlord Association of Allegany County.

We, the members of the Landlord Association, representing over 1,000 homes across Allegany and Garrett Counties, urge the City of Cumberland, Allegany County, and the State of Maryland to implement comprehensive utility billing reforms. These changes aim to benefit residents, landlords, municipal governments, and the broader community.

 
🏠 Our Proposal:
Utility Bills in Tenants' Names:
Assign all utility bills, including water, for rental properties directly to the current occupant (tenant) of the home. Any unpaid balances should follow that individual, not remain tied to the property or passed on to landlords or subsequent tenants.
Adoption of a “Pay-As-You-Go” Utility System:
Implement a prepaid utility model, where:

Occupants add funds to their account in advance.
The city places these payments into a secure interest-bearing account.
As water is used, the cost is deducted from the balance.
When funds run low, the occupant is notified to make another payment, avoiding service interruptions.
 
💡 Why This Matters:
✅ Reduces Unpaid Utility Balances:
Prevents the accumulation of large, unpaid water bills that burden the city and property owners.

✅ Increases Accountability:
Ensures the individual using the utilities is responsible for payment, promoting fairness.

✅ Generates Revenue Through Interest:
Interest from prepaid funds provides the city with a new revenue stream to help offset rising water infrastructure and maintenance costs.

✅ Helps Prevent Future Tax Hikes:
By utilizing interest-based revenue, the city can reduce reliance on raising taxes or seeking emergency funding for unexpected repairs or major upgrades, alleviating financial pressure on taxpayers.

✅ Protects the Entire Community:
Distributes the cost of unpaid utility bills and infrastructure projects more fairly and transparently.

✅ Encourages Investment:
Fair utility practices make our community more attractive to property investors and developers, fostering growth and revitalization.

 
📢 We Need Your Support!
Whether you're a:

Landlord
Tenant
Homeowner
Business Owner
Investor
Or a concerned Community Member…
…we invite you to sign this petition in support of a fairer, smarter, and more financially responsible approach to utility billing in Cumberland, Allegany County, and the State of Maryland.

Together, we can modernize our systems, support our city’s finances, and protect every resident from rising costs.