The final step that would have authorized a sewer surcharge increase for most property owners in Emsworth was put on hold on at council's regular meeting on March 10.

Council voted in January to change the rate structure of the surcharge, making it based purely on how much water is used, in an attempt to make the sewer system self-funding. That vote came after officials decided in December that instead of a rate change, reserve funds could be transferred.

A motion Wednesday by council member Connie Taylor to adopt an ordinance authorizing the surcharge rate structure change never received a second, resulting in the motion failing.

Council president Maria West was absent.