Nov. 24--LIMA -- After considering an insurance program to fund basement sewer backup claims, City Council approved a simpler solution Monday.

Council authorized legislation to be drafted that would permit paying sewer claims from the city's sewer fund, to be determined by the Claims Advisory Board, when claims do not exceed $4,000 with a definable failure of city-operated equipment.

The claim could be paid without the city being liable.

Sixth Ward Councilman Derry Glenn opposed the plan.

Council also approved increases to its sewer and trash rates Monday.

Sewer rate increases of 9 percent in 2010 and 2011 will fund previously approved capital improvements at the Wastewater Treatment Plant and Baxter Street pump station.

The current rate of $12.37 a month for a minimum user will increase to $13.48 in 2010, and then again to $14.69 in 2011.

The current rate of $21.04 a month for an average user of 500 cubic feet will increase to $22.94 in 2010, and then again to $25.

Those rates are more than previously reported. The city Utilities Department inadvertently used an outof-date rate table when first reporting increases to City Council.

Glenn voted against the increases, saying the residents of his ward couldn't afford the increases.

Fourth Ward Councilman Tom Tebben said the increases, funding U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-mandated work, is the lesser of two evils.

"If we don't do this work, we would face terrific fines and penalties," Tebben said.

Council President John Nixon said the work is needed, and that no one on the council or the administration wants to raise rates. The city is starting massive changes to its sanitary and storm sewer system anticipating orders from the EPA.

City monthly trash bills will increase with the January bills from $16.58 to $19.72. The rate includes administrative and customer service costs added by the city. In December, the trash contractor switches from Waste Management to Allied Waste. Had the city stayed with Waste Management, customers would have seen their bills rise to $24.62.

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