The Portland city council on Wednesday wiped out a new street maintenance fee they passed just last week -- now it's headed to the voters.

KGW photo

The decision was the result of weeks of back room negotiations, deals were made and unmade all with the upcoming mayor's race as a backdrop.

Voters will decide whether to raise their own water bills to pay for road improvements.

The idea for the fee was driven by Commissioner Sam Adams. It would raise $464 million over 15 years, raising the average water bill by about $4.50 a month. Adams said he was frustrated by the delay.

"As Transportation Commissioner I know on what a regular basis how people are killed on our streets, and injured, so the delay makes me sad," he said.

Adams will propose putting the measure on the November ballot, the same one that will have Adams as a candidate for mayor.

Adams said the fee increase needs unanimous support on the council. Mayor Tom Potter changed his mind and now wants a ballot measure.

Adams’ opponent in the race, businessman Sho Dozono, also favors letting voters decide on the fee increase.

(KGW Reporter Randy Neves contributed to this report)