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Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission board members remain in a standoff over how much to raise water and sewer rates.

A telephone conference vote scheduled for Thursday night was called off because Montgomery County's three commissioners have refused to support a rate increase lower than the 9 percent hike they voted for Feb. 17, and Prince George's County's three commissioners, who voted for an 8 percent increase then, have not agreed to 9 percent, said WSSC chairman Gene Counihan.

"To go any further would be irresponsible for us as advocates," said Counihan, of Montgomery.

Vice Chairwoman Joyce Starks of Prince George's did not return a call for comment by The Gazette's deadline.

The commission faces a Monday deadline for sending a proposal to the two counties' councils, which also differ in how much they would be likely to approve.

Montgomery's council OK'd a rate increase limit of 9.9 percent, and Prince George's council opted for a limit of 8 percent.

Twice in the past 10 years the county councils have failed to agree on a budget, leaving budgets approved by the commissioners to stand.

Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett (D) and Prince George's County Executive Jack B. Johnson (D), who appoint WSSC commissioners, have discussed the impasse recently, said Leggett spokeswoman Donna Bigler.

"We don't expect this to be a stalemate, we expect it to be resolved," said Bigler, although she offered no estimate of when.

A 9 percent rate increase would cost the average residential customer about $58 more per year and would require the utility to make up revenue and reduce spending by selling wind energy credits, according to the budget proposal. The utility also would cut back on street repairs, inspections and the armoring of sewer pipe. WSSC also would pay more in interest on loans, the document said.

An 8 percent increase would cost the average residential customer almost $52 more per year and would require the utility to reduce replacement, rehabilitation and maintenance of infrastructure. It also would cut information technology spending, according to the budget document.