Nearly a year after persuading the City Council that 7000 South and 3200 West was the wrong place for a power substation, the residents learned the city is one vote away from reversing itself and paving the way for the facility.

“Another thing that makes my blood boil: A monopoly power can be told 'No' by the citizens, be told 'No' by the Council, be told 'No' by a judge and can take it to another place,” and be told yes, said Luana Moulton.

The City Council is scheduled to vote on the settlement tonight. And whether the seven-member panel will sign off on the agreement is unknown. The city held a special council meeting Monday night to tell residents about the settlement.

The West Jordan staff is recommending the settlement be approved.

In March, the City Council blocked the substation on a 4-3 vote.

Why the change of heart?

Leaders from the city feel they are fighting a losing battle.

“With the laws in place, we can't win this,” said Kim Rolfe, a member of the council. “We're not going to beat the state Legislature and the governor.”

Lawmakers and Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. entered the picture via the Electric Facility Review Board. It is a five-member panel that was created by lawmakers after Sandy battled Utah Power over a substation decade ago. The West Jordan substation dispute is the first time it has been used, though.

The review board - which has three members from the Public Service Commission and two members appointed by the governor - sided with Utah Power in November and said a substation should be built somewhere within the borders of 2700 West and 3300 West and 6900 South and 7200 South. The governor rejected West Jordan's two nominations for the board.

The board's decision trumps the City Council's vote as well as a 3rd District Court judge's ruling that sided with West Jordan.

“We know this is not what you want,” said Rob Bennett, a member of the City Council. “This is not what we want.”

In settling the dispute, Utah Power will give $75,000 to cover West Jordan's legal expenses. The city also gets better buffering - in the way of additional trees that are more mature, as well as a 10-foot wall and berms.

“It does a good job of buffering the site,” said Tom Burdett, the city's director of planning.

Residents, however, told city officials they would rather see the fight continue.

“I guess if I was a millionaire I'd give you $75,000 to buy your vote,” said Rick Brown. Brown and others have fought the plans arguing the 4-acre site is the wrong place - the land is adjacent to a city park, an elementary school and a church.

“So we get our $75,000 back but my grandbaby plays there,” said Debbie Walker.

The residents also believe that the power needs are to the west of their neighborhoods and should be located elsewhere. The review board said changing to a site outside of the area would impair the utility's “ability to provide safe, reliable and adequate service.”

“We fought the battle as hard as we could fight,” said City Manager Gary Leubbers. “We've been in this every day.”

The prospects of a loss, however, left these residents frustrated.

“It's not fair. It's not right. It should make every citizen in West Jordan, no matter where they live, angry,” Moulton said.