There's a sucking sound in the air at the Jefferson County Courthouse.

It's the sound of millions of dollars flushed away over the last four months by the Jefferson County Commission as they sought to resolve the sewer debt crisis.

And today the options are the same as they were in April: raise taxes, declare bankruptcy, or default.

Joe Minter knows which option he wants the county to select. "You got to bankrupt, because that's the only protection the tax payer got left. I can't be taxed no more, I'm taxed to death!"

The public has spoken loudly about their preferred solution. But the fallout of such a move is unknown.

Still, after several public forums the Commission remains indecisive as to what to do.

That's why Commission President Bettye Fine Collins says it's time to give taxpayers a vote. "I'm going to be heavily influenced by the will of the majority of the people of the county. I'm very serious about putting this out there for them."

Now all eyes are on November 4th, that's when when Jefferson County residents will be able to make their feelings clear on paper.

But Commissioner Bobby Humphryes says this decision is just flushing more money down the toilet. "If we're going to go past the end of August, we're going to have to go forward and pay another forbearance agreement. So, I can't see how we can pay another 40 to 50 million dollars just to wait on an opinion poll in November."