NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. — The Niagara Falls Water Board is postponing a vote on its $31 million spending plan.

The water board was originally set to vote on the 2018 budget at meeting Monday night.

Board members say they're holding off in an effort to reduce a proposed 2.5 percent rate increase.

They say the increase is due to health insurance and pay increases for employees.

Officials say the current tax hike would amount to about two or three extra dollars per month.

They're trying to reduce that increase as much as possible.

"The rate is not going to be 2.5 percent, so that is the positive, it will be cut. We're determined we're going to make that cut so, it will not be a negative, it will be a positive," said Renae Kimbel, Niagara Falls Water Board vice-chairperson.

Board members say the tax increase is not related to several overflows of black sludge earlier this summer.

They did say the chemicals used to clean up those overflows are one of the budget's "big-ticket" items.

The vote is now scheduled for Monday, December 11 at 5 p.m.