Question about the city and our home.

Our neighbors are having waste backup into their yard. The "trunk" of the sewer line is in my backyard. So the city came by and told us they would have to dig up our yard to get to the problem - which they did today. Problem is, they found out that the builder of Rosewood illegally tied our basement drain into the main sewer line. They told us that either we pay $200 to fix it or they are going to cap it, which mean we no longer have drainage in our basement, ie: basement flood.
So if this is something the builder did back in 1969 and it's illegal AND the builder lives in this subdivision why not go after him? Can anything be done about this? Oh and I'm sure if it was done to this house it was done to all the houses around here. Any thoughts on what we can do besides handing over $200 or having our basement flood?
Thanks.

Just wondering if you contacted Bob Lindsley or not. I did forward the pictures and he was going to check with the City Public Works department on this. You could give him a call, he doesn't bite as far as I know, he has always been pleasant to me and he is genuinely concerned with what goes on in his ward and wants to remedy any questionable situations.

My husband spook to Mark Migneco - Sewer Superintendent today and things worked out. It wasn't a pleasant call at first as we were told that the city didn't inspect these homes because it was before Arnold was "incorporated" but in the end Mark came out to our home today and we settled on a way to fix the drain problem without spending $200 and it's something we can do on our own. He also sent out some city workers today to pick up some of the glass in our yard and fence the rest off so the kids dont play around it and they fixed our fence so the dog cant get out anymore. He said in about 2 weeks they'd be back out to lay some sod in the yard.
So, so far everything is working out. He has held up to his end. We almost gave you a call earlier, we weren't happy with what he was saying.

I wanted to add. I'll send Lindsley a message and let him know that Mark came out today and we worked something out.

See what positive things can happen when the line of communications are opened !

It's fantastic and I am very happy with Mark and Bob Lindsley. I thank you for your help, we really appreciate it. And I want to tell anyone reading that Mark and Bob are very nice men who are willing to work with you and take the time to listen. I am very happy to have delt with them!