Mayor Todd Gloria didn’t have the votes on Tuesday to pass the huge water and wastewater rate increase needed to avoid layoffs at the city’s Public Utilities Department. Councilmembers voted 9 to 1 to push the decision on a 63 percent water and 31 percent wastewater vote to Oct. 28. Councilmember Vivian Moreno voted no.

The mayor will need at least five to pass the rates by that date or risk layoffs at the Public Utilities Department or default on loans. In the meantime, councilmembers want to see the mayor’s staff find a way to save San Diegans money on their water bills.

He’s got a lot of work to do. Councilmembers were pretty blunt about their feelings.

“The rates will not go up another 62 percent. This is a non-starter. This is dead on arrival,” said Councilmember Stephen Whitburn w

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