A divided County Council Monday night further delayed a vote on whether to hike impact fees.

As debate shifted from the proposal's merits to the wisdom of raising any fee during an economic downturn, the council put off a decision until Oct. 21 to see if a compromise could be salvaged.

Three councilmen have lined up against upping the fees.

"To me, doing anything at this time sends the wrong message," said Councilman Ron Dillon, R-Pasadena, who last week began soliciting votes to kill the plan.

The plan would dramatically increase the fees levied on the construction on new homes, office buildings and other types of...