The Memphis City Council delayed a vote late Tuesday on the proposed utility rate increases until 4 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 20.

The council recessed its meeting as a rate making board after about 30 minutes of discussion late Tuesday afternoon. The board heard from MLGW officials and a half-dozen residents who spoke on the resolution to approve a 1.05 percent increase in the water rates. 

Council Chairman Berlin Boyd recessed the meeting because he said he had questions he needed to ask the City Council attorney who was not present for Tuesday’s meeting but would be available Wednesday.

The council is expected to also consider an increase in electric and gas rates and vote on MLGW’s proposed $1.7 billion 2018 budget.

MLGW is the largest three-service public power utility in the nation, serving more than 421,000 customers in Memphis and Shelby County.