EAST POINT, Ga. (AP) - The East Point city council has delayed voting on a contentious budget matter that has led to heated arguments and a heavy police presence at public meetings in recent days.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports (http://bit.ly/zo3lPT) that a vote on whether to reduce utility rates has been delayed until March 19.

Utility costs have doubled for residents this year compared to 2011. East Point Mayor Earnestine Pittman's proposal to cut utility costs and raise property taxes to offset that cost has sparked controversy.

At one recent meeting, police restrained at least one man and shouting erupted among several others during a heated discussion of the matter.

East Point, which is just south of Atlanta, is trying to cover a projected $7 million budget deficit in the city's general fund.