CAPE CORAL, Fla. - Utility expansion is officially back on in Cape Coral.

On a 5-to-2 vote on Wednesday night, the council decided to push ahead with some early planning for utilities.

Several of the newest council members said getting this project going again is why they were elected, but the controversy that surrounded this project for years didn't change.

"We're struggling to make it," said Cape Coral resident Ryan Bishop.

Its been the same scene at utility debates for the past four years: homeowners pleading with the council that the economic times aren't right for city utilities.

"I don't want to pay for this, they don't want to pay for this either," another resident said.

Supporters on the council say the utilities are necessary to bring costs down for existing utility customers, and for growth and safety-- as there are areas of the north Cape that don't have fire hydrants without city water.

Utility supporters also insist the costs and construction would not begin for more than a year.

"We're not coming into your neighborhood next year with a backhoe," said council member Kevin McGrail.

The early plan would resume utility construction in 2013, splitting the work in 9 sections, 2 years at a time, finally finishing in the year 2031.

"At least it gives people a chance to plan," said council member Derrick Donnell.

With estimated costs to connect nearing 20-grand per homeowner. Opponents say the economics still don't make sense.

"i'm not in favor of going forward with this at this time," said mayor John Sullivan.

But utility supporters say they'll do everything they can to keep costs down.

"There is no perfect time to start any of this," said council member Rana Erbrick.

The city still needs to figure out exactly how to charge for all of this, and other finer points. Council members plan to continue special utilities-only meetings on a twice-a-month basis.