City officials

in Senoia are simmering over their latest insurance costs.

City clerk

Debby Hogan told the City Council Monday night that the city's liability

premium had increased from just over $30,000 to $43,000.

"That's

just unacceptable. That's nearly a 40 percent increase," said City

Councilman Bill Wood.

Wood asked

why the city couldn't increase the deductible on some of its items and

try to achieve the same premium.

The insurance

policy is offered to the city through the Georgia Municipal Association,

and Wood said the city might consider using private insurance firms for

quotes.

But with a

May 1 deadline looming for renewal of the policy, additional quotes would

not be an option for this year.

"I don't

want to have us liable in lawsuits," said City Councilman Robert

Hannah.

Wood agreed,

and said the city should accept the current contract, but ask the insurance

agency to rewrite it with higher deductibles.

City attorney

Drew Whalen said the city has not had a huge history of claims, and could

probably absorb the costs of raising some deductibles from $1,000 to $5,000.

If the city

can't lower the costs, Wood wondered where the money to pay for the extra

$13,000 in premium costs.

"I'm hoping

we can use some money from some reimbursable expenses we have coming to

us," said city administrator Murray McAfee.