CAPE CORAL - Some Cape Coral homeowners are growing more frustrated over the ongoing utility expansion project. The next phase is expected to cost less; but people already paying for the project say that's not fair.

"What they're asking for us homeowners to pay, a lot of us can't do it. We can't do it," said Sheila Leeman, who is among the thousands of homeowners next in line for city sewer and water. But she says now is not the time.

"I am more interested in saving my home right now than I am in city water when I have a well," Leeman said.

Yet Leeman will likely end up paying less than people living where the project is finished. Bidding for construction on the next phase is costing less, in part because of the state of the economy; but that's not sitting well with people who've already paid much more to have the same work done.

"Utility projects came in at $18,900, plus the assessments, which totaled 24 thousand for our two lot site," said Michael Grahan, who lives in the SW4 area of the Cape.

That's thousands more than people could end up paying in still untouched parts of the city.

Mayor Eric Feichthaler tried to delay the costly project three years ago, but says the council can't do much now for homeowners already paying for the project..

"Unfortunately, there's nothing we can do to go back and change those contracts that have already been done," said Mayor Eric Feichthaler.

" I think they're driving a lot of people out of the Cape, they can't afford it, it's just too much," said Cape resident Kenny Killion.

Potentially making this even more explosive: the council is considering whether people in the next phases even need to hook up to all three lines. We're also told the completed SW4 project came in under budget, but there's no word yet if people living there might see any kind of rebate.