MADISON, Wis. -- The Madison Common Council on Tuesday night criticized the head of the city's Water Utility about spending on an outside consulting company and referred a plan to regional transit plan to a number of sub-committees.

A strategic plan for the embattled Madison Water Utility as well as the creation of the Regional Transit Authority was at the top of the council's agenda during Tuesday night's meeting. In both instances, however, officials delayed making final decisions.

In particular, the city's water woes were on the mind of some council members. The utility has faced concerns during the past year regarding water quality, including high manganese and chlorine levels in some city wells.

During the meeting, council members questioned why utility officials spent nearly $140,000 on a Minnesota consultant who didn't have approval from the council. The consultants drafted a plan to find ways to improve the department, which was seeking council approval. The Water Utility took part in the process, WISC-TV reported.

David Denig-Chakroff, the utility's general manager, said that the work already done was needed and continuing is in the best interest of the city.

"We had some things that needed to be taken care of very quickly," he said.

Opponents of the consultant contract said that council approval was needed early on and now the cost is too high, WISC-TV reported.

Meanwhile, the council also voted to refer a resolution in support of a Regional Transit Authority to four different sub-committees.

The proposal is the first step toward building a commuter rail system in Dane County, and the idea has the support of Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz and Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk.

The council is scheduled to take up the issue again at its Aug. 7.