A proposal to increase commercial rates has been rejected by Waterford councillors.
Chief executive Michael Walsh was hoping to plug a €1.3m euro hole in the council's budget, caused by a revaluation of assets.
He sought an increase of five per cent on commercial rates.
It needed majority support from Waterford's 32 councillors.
Instead, Labour and Sinn Féin, who are part of the controlling group on the council, proposed deferring a decision until Thursday December 12th, when councillors will meet again.
They proposed meeting Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, Eoghan Murphy again and acquiring more funding from his department.
It means if the budget isn't passed in a fortnight's time, the department will take control of the council's finances.
