POST FALLS - The Post Falls City Council on Tuesday night unanimously approved fee increases that will take effect Oct. 1.

The largest increase is a 14.5 percent hike in the wastewater rate, which equates to $4.28 per month for the average household.

City officials say the reason for the increase is to pay for upgrades to the treatment plant to meet more stringent Spokane River discharge standards mandated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Another 14.5 percent raise will be proposed next year for the same reason.

"It's a situation that stinks (for the taxpayer), but there's nothing we can do about it," said council member Joe Malloy, referring to the mandate.

The water rate will rise 2.5 percent - 15 cents per month for the average user. The sanitation rate is rising 4.98 percent - 54 cents for the average household. There will be no change for street lights.

Post Falls resident Bob Flowers opposed the increases overall. He said he understands there are fees such as wastewater in which the city has to raise to fund improvements and increased costs, but he believes other increases on top of those aren't necessary.

"These rate increases seem insane," he said. "You're making it so the people of Post Falls can't afford to live in their own town. Enough is enough."

In other business, the council decided to hold off on drafting an ordinance to modify the East Post Falls Urban Renewal District Plan to include a pave bike/pedestrian trail on the east side of Highway 41 from Seltice Way to Mullan Avenue until staff receives approval to apply for a $500,000 federal grant for the project.

"I don't want to see us getting ahead of the horse," council member Skip Hissong said, adding that the trail project has been off and on multiple times over the past several years.

If the grant is received, the Post Falls Urban Renewal Agency would provide a matching portion of $300,000 to pay for the project. About $75,000 in urban renewal funds was spent on engineering on the project earlier.

Last year the council decided to shelve the trail project due to cost and maintenance concerns.

The trail funding proposal is expected to be on the council's agenda again on Aug. 20.

Another bike/pedestrian project with a grant opportunity will also be discussed in two weeks.

That project is along Seltice Way from Idaho to Bay streets, including a section over Interstate 90. It is estimated to cost $670,000 and the match from the city's General Fund would be $170,000.

Small dirt trails exist in both locations - proof the stretches are heavily used. City officials say bike/pedestrian safety needs to be increased at both sites.