Cumberland homeowners might not be digging as deep this year to pay the taxman. On Monday, council gave first reading to a 2011-2015 financial plan bylaw that calls for an approximate 3.8-per-cent tax increase for the average single family household — a roughly 4.2-per-cent decrease from last year, pending school and police tax rate changes. Although utility fees jumped nearly four per cent in 2011, the province has introduced a $200 increase to the homeowner grant for rural areas.At least two large capital projects — including a proposed $9-million water filtration plant estimated to have $190,000 of annual operating costs — have been left off the plan pending cost projections. The Village has an opportunity to join a regional water supply system.Maintaining the municipal water system and building the filtration plant is painting a "startling and bleak financial picture for the municipality over the next 10 years," corporate services manager Christine Mathews states in a report to council. Noting the Village has limited reserves, Mathews said provincial grant funding is not likely for a small municipality to build this type of plant. Capital costs for a proposed Liquid Waste Management Plan could start at $12 million for a 25-year build out, if the Village were to deliver sewer and storm drainage services."It is clear that this is not financially viable," Mathews states. A public meeting is scheduled for April 20 at 5:30 p.m. in council chambers. The financial plan bylaws will then come back to council April 26 and May 9 for additional readings and adoption.