A water rate increase in Wapello has failed to pass. Last weeks City Council meeting marked the amendments third reading, where it was voted down.

The increase is something the majority of the Council is for, but two of its members were not at the meeting. Out of town business was the reason for one absence and coaching little league was the reason for the other.

The Council expected this three dollar increase to pass when putting together the fiscal year budget and now cuts will need to be made. According to acting City Clerk and Public Works Director Mike Delzell the Council is in the process of arranging a work session to decide where the budget cuts will come from.