CAPE CORAL, Fla. - Dozens walked out of a utility expansion information meeting at Cape Coral City Hall on Tuesday night, upset they wouldn't have a chance to speak out against pricy new sewer and water lines.

City staff set up the meeting to advise residents about payment options for the thousands of dollars in assessments and fees they'll have to pay to connect to the new utilities.

"We cannot afford it We're just saying don't do it now," said Holly Bisordi of Cape Coral.

"They didn't want to hear the citizens tonight and what we want," said Melody Martin.

Protesters showed up early, hoping to convince the city council to change its mind again.

The council stopped the project in February, worried about the ability of residents to pay the fees in the current economy. But faced with rising rates for existing utility customers, the council revived the project in mid-June, hoping to add more customers and rate payers to the system.

"Now's just not the time when we're out of work and we're hurting for work," said Greg Callan of Cape Coral.

"If they put another bill in our dish, we definitely cannot eat, we cannot live, we can't survive," Bisordi said.

For those who stayed at the meeting, city staff presented the various payment options available, including deferred payments and hardship programs.

"Well, we'll have to pay it, we won't have any choice," said Marilyn Campbell.

But others like Fred Paulis and his wife say no program can help them cover a $17,000 bill for a vacant lot they own in the Southwest Cape.

"We're probably just going to leave it. Forget about it. Let the city take it," Paulis said.

This was the first of four informational meetings on utility expansion. Three more meetings are scheduled for the North 1-8 assessment area (north of Pine Island Road). Only water lines are planned for that part of the city. The meetings take place at Mariner High School next Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at Mariner High School. Each meeting begins at 5:30pm.

The city council is set to have a final vote on the project on July 20th.