Enlarge By Christopher Berkey, Associated Press This July 14, 2010 photo shows protesters, left, and counter protesters, right, shouting at each other during a demonstration about a planned mosque and Islamic community center in Murfreesboro, Tenn. Battling the mosque in the courts has cost Tennessee taxpayers $75,000 so far. MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (AP)  Tennessee taxpayers are footing the bill for $75,000-plus in legal fees as four residents continue their challenge of a mosque set to be built outside of Murfreesboro. An attorney for the four confirmed to The Tennessean their plans to fight the mosque through a final hearing on the matter, which is expected to happen sometime next year, keeping the tab open. CONTROVERSY: Muslims face opposition to new mosques "I do think it is unfortunate that the county is having to bear this expense, but, that's the way the legal system is," said Rutherford County Attorney Jim Cope, whose law office contracts with the county to perform legal services. Cope's office billed the county almost $30,000 on Nov. 30 just for the first few days of an eight-day hearing on the May approval of the 52,000-square-foot mosque. Cope estimated the full cost for the entire eight days could top $75,000. The County Commission even added an extra $50,000 to its legal budget in October in anticipation of the legal costs. Attorney Joe Brandon Jr. represented Rutherford County residents Kevin Fisher, Jim Estes, Lisa Moore and Henry Golcznski, who sued to challenge the county's approval of the mosque. Brandon said in a statement that they plan to continue their fight to a final hearing on the matter, which is expected to happen sometime next year. The Islamic Center of Murfreesboro, which has operated in the county for more than two decades, sought to build a new mosque after outgrowing its building within the city. The county's approval brought vocal resistance from opponents and led to a series of rallies and counter-rallies for and against the project. What was supposed to be a short hearing for a temporary injunction on the plaintiffs' lawsuit spilled into a three-month affair. Rutherford County Chancellor Robert Corlew ruled in favor of the county, saying there was no evidence that the approval was improper or that the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro was violent or seditious. But he raised questions about how well the county notified citizens and even county commissioners about the project. The ruling gave the plaintiffs three options: drop the suit, appeal Corlew's decision or continue to a final hearing on the injunction. They opted for the third. __ Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Guidelines: You share in the USA TODAY community, so please keep your comments smart and civil. Don't attack other readers personally, and keep your language decent. Use the "Report Abuse" button to make a difference. You share in the USA TODAY community, so please keep your comments smart and civil. Don't attack other readers personally, and keep your language decent. Use the "Report Abuse" button to make a difference. Read more