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OTTUMWA, IOWA -- The city of Ottumwa wants to clear up the confusion over an item discussed at Tuesday’s city council meeting.

During Tuesday’s meeting, the Council accepted the Water Work’s budget which included a 9% increase in water rates.

However, many residents mistook that measure as an increase in sewer rates and have been calling City Hall with their concerns.

Mayor Frank Flanders said there is no tax increase, and the measure actually did not have anything to do with the sewer rates at all.

The City Council simply accepted the budget that was drawn up within the Water Works Department.

“The problem was the Ottumwa Courier made it look by rewording their initial article like the City Council had passed a 9% plus sewer rate increase. The Council did not pass a 9% sewer rate increase. The council would not pass a 9% sewer rate increase and if hypothetically they did, I would veto it,” said Mayor Flanders.

Again, Mayor Flanders stressed that the City Council did not and would never approve an increase in sewer rates, especially one of that size.

It should also be noted that the Ottumwa Courier did post a clarification in Friday’s issue.